RoadRunners Are Back In Phoenix

October 20, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners will make their long-awaited official return to the ice following an eight-year absence at 6PM tomorrow when they begin their inaugural season as a member of the ECHL against the Utah Grizzlies from the E-Center in West Valley City, Utah. The game will mark the first for the RoadRunners since April 13, 1997.

RoadRunners' General Manager and Head Coach Ron Filion has finalized his active roster in preparation for opening night. Leading the team will be eight-year veteran forward and newly appointed captain, Dean Tiltgen. Tiltgen has collected 175 goals and 378 points in 438 career games. Tiltgen will be joined up front by fourth-year professional Cory Pecker, the 2002 Ontario Hockey League Overage Player of the Year who has spent a majority of his career playing in the American Hockey League, and Jason Deskins, who finished last season as the second leading scorer with 66 points for the Quad City Mallards of the United Hockey League.

The remaining forwards include Joe Dusbabek, B.J. Gaustad, Chris Hodgson, Ben Knopp, Adam Kostichka, Shawn Snider, and newly acquired J.F. Soucy who was assigned to the club by the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League on Monday.

On defense, Paul Ballantyne, Dave Cousineau, and Ed Hill have a combined eight years of playing experience including seven in the ECHL. That trio will be joined by rookies Taylor Christie, Dusty Demianiuk, John Fieweger, and Brad Woods.

Goaltending duties will fall on the shoulders of fifth-year professional Mathieu Chouinard, a former MVP of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League who holds a career record of 65-39-6 with 12 shutouts, and is the only player on the roster with NHL experience, and rookie Mike Mole, who helped St. Francis Xavier University capture the 2004 Canadian Collegiate Championship.

Forwards Mike Ouellet and Miguel LaFleche will begin the season on the 7-day injured reserve and 30-day injured reserve respectively.

"I've been extremely impressed with our team up to this point," said Filion. "The players came to camp ready to compete and their efforts have been tremendous. I am looking forward to watching it all come together beginning tomorrow night in Utah."

The Phoenix RoadRunners complete their move from the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum to America West Arena at 7:11PM on Saturday as they host the Utah Grizzlies for Opening Night 2005.

In 20 years of existence dating back to their inaugural 1967-68 campaign in the Western Hockey League, the RoadRunners hold an all-time record of 667-713-155.

Kick off the season with a party! The RoadRunners Inaugural Block Party will take place from 2PM-6PM on Saturday at the America West Arena Plaza. Bring the whole family out for food, games, live music performed by T.A.T.E. and entertainment provided by the entire America West Arena family including The Gorilla, Suns' Dancers, Adio Sol Patrol, Scorch, the newly formed ‘Runners Puck Patrol, and Rocky, the legendary RoadRunners mascot.

The "Casino Arizona Puck Drop" at 7:11Pm follows pre-game entertainment and festivities, and the jersey retirement of two RoadRunners legends, Adam Keller and Sandy Hucul.

The Phoenix RoadRunners make their way back to the ice at 6PM on Friday, October 21 as they battle the Utah Grizzlies at the E-Center in West Valley City, Utah. Catch all the action and every game in 2005-06 on KFNX News-Talk Radio 1100AM.

RoadRunners professional hockey returns to downtown Phoenix at 7PM on Saturday, October 22 when the Utah Grizzlies visit America West Arena for Opening Night 2005. Season and individual tickets for all 36 home games are on sale now. For more information or to find out how you can order tickets, call (602) 462-GOAL or visit www.phxroadrunners.com.



ECHL Stories from October 20, 2005


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