RoadRunners Announce Opening Day Roster
October 15, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL, a proud affiliate of the San Jose Sharks and the Worcester Sharks, announced several transactions today as they released their 2008 Opening Day roster.
The RoadRunners announced the signing of goalie Gerald Coleman. Coleman, 23, posted an 8-7-1 record with a 2.91 goals against average and a .896% save percentage in 18 games last season with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Romeoville, Ill. native and fourth-year professional also appeared in nine games with the Augusta Lynx going 2-5-0 with a 2.64 goals against average and a.902% save percentage.
A seventh-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Coleman appeared in two games with the Lightning in relief during the 2005-06 season where he registered a 2.77 goals against average and a .882% save percentage. In doing so, he became the first graduate of the National Hockey League's Diversity Program to be drafted and have played in the NHL. Coleman is 37-48-5 in 103 career games with a 3.35 goals against average and a .891% save percentage.
In addition, the San Jose Sharks have re-assigned forward Ashton Rome to the RoadRunners and the Worcester Sharks have loaned center Matt Fornataro to the team. Rome, 22, tallied seven goals and 15 points in 60 games last season with Worcester. The Nesbitt, Manitoba native and third-year professional was selected by San Jose in the fifth round at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and has totaled 15 goals, 26 points, and 114 penalty minutes in 126 games with Worcester.
Fornataro, 23, signed a free agent contract with Worcester after recording 18 goals and 46 points in 38 games last season at the University of New Hampshire. The Calgary, Alberta native finished fourth among Hockey East scorers and was recognized as a 2007-08 RBK Hockey Division I All-American and selected to the 2007-08 All-Hockey East Second Team. Fornataro recorded 44 goals, 74 assists, and 118 points in 156 games during a four-year collegiate career at New Hampshire.
The Worcester Sharks also announced the signing of RoadRunners' forward Dan DaSilva to a contract, and have recalled DaSilva to the American Hockey League.
The RoadRunners have released defenseman Bryan Nathe and goalie Paulo Colaiacovo from their contracts, and have also released goalie Ryan Daniels from his try-out agreement.
The club also placed forward James McEwan on the three-day injured reserve and forward Rick Cleaver on the seven-day injured reserve, and designated forward Chris Stevens to the 30-day injured reserve.
Forward Stephen Peat has been placed on the team's suspension list.
Today's moves leave the RoadRunners with an active roster of 19 players. A complete Opening Day roster is attached to this release.
The RoadRunners open the 2008-09 regular season at 7:05 p.m. Friday as they welcome the Victoria Salmon Kings to US Airways Center for a three-game Opening Weekend series.
Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online ticketmaster.com or visiting the US Airways Center Box Office. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
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