Skladany Called Up To Avalanche/McLeod Called Up To Lowell

January 3, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO - Frantisek Skladany, who began the season with the San Diego Gulls, was called up to the NHL's Colorado Avalanche Monday. Skladany had been playing with the American Hockey League's Lowell Lock Monsters. The Gulls also announced Tuesday that Cody McLeod has been recalled by Lowell.

Skladany is the second player in Gulls (ECHL) history to be promoted to the NHL. Josh Gratton, who played with San Diego in 2003-04 and was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers in mid-December, was the first. The West Coast Hockey League Gulls had two previous players make it to the NHL: Micki Dupont (Calgary Flames) and Garret Stroshein (Washington Capitals).

The Avalanche, San Diego's NHL affiliate, are scheduled to host the Nashville Predators Tuesday at 6 p.m. (PST). Skladany will be the 288th ECHL player to play in the NHL and 32nd this season.

The 23-year-old forward from Martin, Slovakia played nine games with the Gulls this season, recording five points (2g, 3a) and six penalty minutes. In 21 games for Lowell, he notched five points (1g, 4a) and 12 penalty minutes.

Skladany was Colorado's fourth selection (143rd overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft. He signed his entry level contract with the Avalanche in 2004 after playing four seasons at Boston University.

"This is certainly an exciting day for the Gulls organization and Frankie Skladany," Gulls associate coach Jamie Black said. "It's very gratifying to see a player start the year here, then get called up to the AHL, then the NHL. This just shows the commitment Frankie has on and off the ice. He's a great player, solid worker and good guy. He deserves this."

McLeod, who spent portions of training camp with Lowell and the AHL's Providence Bruins, has nine points (4g, 5a) and 48 penalty minutes in 16 games with San Diego. The 21-year-old winger from Binscarth, Manitoba made his professional debut last season with the United Hockey League's Adirondack Frostbite, appearing in one regular season and five playoff games.

Prior to turning pro, McLeod spent four years playing juniors with the Portland Winter Hawks in the Western Hockey League. During his four-year tenure with Portland, he tallied 137 points (69g, 68a) and 661 penalty minutes in 257 games. McLeod led Portland last season with 195 penalty minutes and ranked second on the club with 60 points (tied for first with 31 goals).



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