Rodney Signs With Albany As Jackals Lose Two And Gain One

December 19, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Elmira Jackals, proud member of the ECHL, announced today that defenseman Bryan Rodney has signed an American Hockey League contract with the Albany River Rats and forward Jim McKenzie has been reassigned by Ottawa (NHL) to Binghamton (AHL). Additionally, the Carolina Hurricanes have reassigned defenseman J.D. Forrest from Albany (AHL) to Elmira.

Rodney leaves the Jackals after scoring 10 points on five goals and five assists in six games with Elmira. For the period of December 3rd - 9th, Rodney was named the InGlasCo ECHL Player of the Week with four goals and three assists for seven points in four contests. Rodney made his AHL debut with Albany Sunday in the River Rats' 4-3 loss at Bridgeport.

Rodney began the season with the Columbia Inferno, posting two goals and 11 points in 17 contests before being traded to Fresno November 27th. Declining to report to the Falcons, he was acquired by the Jackals December 4th from Fresno. Rodney will join the River Rats for their home game tonight against the Albany River Rats.

"It doesn't matter how you get your foot in the door, but what you do once you're in," said Jackals head coach Steve Martinson. "Bryan's meteoric rise exemplifies how quickly your situation can change in hockey. Just a few weeks ago, he was frustrated with his career and undecided about his future. Bryan's AHL debut turned into a contract and a chance to quarterback Albany's power play. Now, he's one step away from the NHL."

Rodney was part of an ECHL record seven-player loan by the Jackals to Albany for Sunday's game in Bridgeport. The River Rats were battling injuries and illness that saw them dress just fourteen skaters Saturday night in an 8-1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

"With a third of Albany's roster on Sunday being from Elmira, our players received the quality ice time that you don't always get skating with a new team," Martinson continued. "With a couple of assists (Kevin Ulanski and Brett Pilkington) in a one-goal game, our players showed that given the opportunity, they can compete and contribute in the AHL."

McKenzie heads to Binghamton after appearing in 20 contests with the Jackals, scoring twice and totaling four points this season. He is expected to be in the line-up tonight as the Senators visit Hershey in a make-up game from Sunday's postponed affair.

Forrest, a 5'9" 185-pound native of Auburn, NY, appeared in 13 games this season with Albany with two goals and eight assists for 10 points. He was a -3 and had 14 penalty minutes with the River Rats. Forrest began the season with the Florida (ECHL) before his call-up to Albany November 19th. In 12 games with the Everblades, Forrest scored once in posting eight points with six penalty minutes and a +8 rating.

Forrest is expected to join the Jackals for practice Thursday morning before the club departs for weekend games in Wheeling Friday and Saturday.

***

Winners of four straight games and leaders of the North Division, the Jackals are off until this weekend when they travel to Wheeling for games Friday and Saturday against the Nailers. Face-off both nights is set for 7:35 p.m. at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling. The road trip begins a stretch that sees Elmira on the road for eight of their next nine games over the holidays and into January 2008. All Jackals games can be heard live on MAGIC FM (927/97.7) and on-line at www.jackalshockey.com beginning thirty minutes prior to game time with the Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face-Off.



ECHL Stories from December 19, 2007


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