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SteelHounds Sign All-Star Goaltender For 2007-08

October 2, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown SteelHounds Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kaminski announced today that the team has signed goaltender Andy Franck (pronounced Frank) for the 2007-08 season. Per team policy the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Franck, 26, entering his third season as a pro comes to Youngstown after beginning his career with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. In two seasons with Wheeling the native of Lakewood, Ohio compiled a 60-41-9 record with eight shutouts, a 2.76 goals against average and an impressive .912 save percentage.

In his rookie season with the Nailers the 6-1, 195-pound goalie was an ECHL All Star and was named to the All ECHL Rookie Team. Franck was also named ECHL Goaltender of the Month for February, 2006 as he led the Nailers to the playoffs that season.

Head Coach Kevin Kaminski feels that this may be the biggest signing of the year saying, "Andy is the number one goalie we've been looking for! Every coach and general manager I've talked to have had nothing but good things to say about this kid. His numbers speak for them self. We look for Andy to take charge and be a leader between the pipes and in the locker room. This will give us a very strong 1 - 2 punch!"

Franck becomes the third player from Mercyhurst College to be signed by the Hounds this season joining forward Erik Johnson and defenseman Denis Kirstein. Andy also teamed with fellow SteelHound and Canfield, Ohio native Paul DeJoe for two seasons at St. Edward High School in Cleveland.

The SteelHounds have also announced that Jim Brylewski has been named Assistant General Manager.

Brylewski, a graduate of Michigan State University, comes to Youngstown from Sharks Minor Holdings (Worcester Sharks & Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League). Brylewski assisted the Sharks organization in the relocation of the business operations of the Cleveland AHL franchise to Worcester, MA. In Cleveland Brylewski served as the Barons Vice President of Marketing and Sales where he oversaw the organization's Marketing, Promotions, Merchandise, Corporate Sales, Ticketing and Game Entertainment Departments.

Brylewski began his career in 1988 as an event promotions supervisor with the Detroit Tigers. During his tenure with the Tigers (1988-1996), Brylewski oversaw the team's promotion and game entertainment departments. Brylewski also played a vital part in the creation of corporate sales inventory and the development of promotions, including kids running the bases and the first annual Detroit Negro League Celebration.

From 1996-2000 he was the Advertising and Promotions Manager with the Baltimore Orioles where they set franchise records in attendance and corporate sales revenue. In his final season with the Orioles, Brylewski was also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team's ballpark entertainment, most notably the planning and scripting of Cal Ripken's 3,000 hit ceremony.

Brylewski has also served as the Director of Marketing of the Baltimore Arena and College Football Hall of Fame.

With the SteelHounds Brylewski's duties will include assisting in the team's day-to-day business operations as well as marketing, advertising and promotional efforts. Brylewski will get his first taste of SteelHounds hockey when the Hounds begin training camp on October 8th.

The Hounds will host the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones in an exhibition match-up on Friday, October 12th at 7:05pm with tickets on sale now for just $5. The Hounds regular season home opener is scheduled for Friday, November 23rd when they host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at 7:05pm. SteelHounds season tickets are on sale now for as little as $42 per month and group packages are available for any home game during the season. Call the Hounds ticket department today at (330) 747-PUCK for more information.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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