Schiller Placed on 30-Day IR; Gvora to Germany
January 28, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel has announced that defenseman Joe Schiller (pictured) has been placed on the 30-day injured reserve with an upper body injury after blocking a shot in Saturday's 4-1 win over Knoxville. In addition, forward Justin Gvora departed the team on Monday to join Ehc Klostersee, a third-level pro team in Germany, while winger Matt Viola has been ruled out at least two weeks with an upper body injury.
The roster shuffle puts the Rivermen at 14 skaters and two goaltenders, two players short of a full lineup. However, that number does not include winger Alex Mentink, who has been on the injured reserve since Dec. 21 with an upper body injury. He is eligible to return once healthy.
Schiller, 25, has played in all 33 games for the Rivermen this season and currently leads the team, and is tied for the league-lead, with 18 assists. He has also amassed 63 shots and eight penalty minutes.
A native of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Schiller appeared in 20 games for the now-defunct Augusta RiverHawks last season and recorded six points (2g, 4a) with two penalty minutes. He also spent time on Augusta's injured reserve towards the end of the year. The 6'1, 185-pound defenseman began his pro career with ECHL Las Vegas in 2011-12, where he notched one assist in eight games. He spent the previous four years at the University of Minnesota - Mankato.
Gvora, 26, played in 16 games for the Rivermen this season and notched nine points (4g, 5a), a plus-one rating and 23 penalty minutes since he was signed Dec. 18. In addition, the 6'0, 182-pound rookie made his pro debut with ECHL Elmira on Nov. 27.
Prior to turning pro, Gvora notched 87 points (38g, 49a) and 47 penalty minutes over 109 career games at the University of Guelph. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native was also drafted in the ninth round (#166 overall) of the 2003 OHL Entry Draft by the Mississauga IceDogs, where he went on to record a goal and two assists for Mississauga during the 2005-06 season.
Viola, 25, has appeared in 23 games for the Rivermen during his rookie season and has collected 13 points (5g, 8a) with eight penalty minutes. A native of Toronto, Viola spent the last four years at State University of New York (SUNY) - Potsdam. Over 83 collegiate games, the 6'0, 195-pound left wing recorded 45 points (12g, 37a) along with 85 penalty minutes. Prior to his college career, Viola played four seasons between six teams in the Ontario Junior Hockey League from 2005-2009.
Peoria returns to action next Friday and begins a three-game road trip with a 6:35 CST puck drop against the Knoxville Ice Bears in Knoxville, Tennessee. The game can be heard locally on CD Country 107.9 FM or online at www.cd1079.net . Fans can also follow along via the live video and audio stream at www.americaonesports.com .
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- Schiller Placed on 30-Day IR; Gvora to Germany - Peoria Rivermen
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