Titans Complete Successful Fourth Season

Published on April 11, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Trenton Devils News Release


The Trenton Titans completed the 2002-03 season once again winning 37 or more games (38) and securing a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive year. The Titans are one of only four ECHL teams to win 37 or more games in their first four seasons, and hold a career regular season winning percentage of .643.

Consistency At Its Best – Try Bertoli:

Left wing Scott Bertoli finished his fourth season in fine fashion. He registered a career best 1.28 points per game and led the team with 39 assists in just 47 games. Bertoli was invaluable as evidenced by the squad's 10-10-5 record without the veteran in the lineup. He broke the franchise record, and his own personal best, with a 17-game point streak in which he totaled 28 points (8 goals, 20 assists). Bertoli notched a point in 36 of 47 games this season, and was second on the team with 17 multiple point efforts. His season high point effort of four assists came in a 4-0 win over Greensboro on February 14th.

Edinger Tops Squad In Multiple Offensive Categories:

Center Adam Edinger finished his most complete professional season with a team-leading and personal best 33 goals. He also led the Titans in power play goals (14), short-handed goals (6), game-winning goals (6) and points (70) this season. Edinger registered points in 40 of 63 games this season, and notched point streaks of four or more games five times. He led the squad with 20 multiple point efforts and notched a team high seven-game goal streak from December 13-26. Edinger also netted a pair of hat tricks with the first coming on November 22 in a 6-5 win over Roanoke, and the second on January 9 in a 4-2 win @ Columbia. In the November 22 win he turned in a season and team best five point effort (3 goals, 2 assists).

Captain "Apsolutely" Made A Difference In The Lineup:

Titans' captain Syl Apps once again played a vital role in the teams success this season. Injuries cost him 17 regular season games, and two post-season contests. With Apps in the lineup the Titans had a 30-15-10 record (.636 winning percentage) during the regular season, but were just 8-9 without him. He notched career highs in assists (21), points (32) and penalty minutes this season (119). Apps also registered a career best four-game goal streak (February 28 – March 4) in which the Titans went 3-1.

The Big ‘Z' Has Arrived:

Left wing Matt Zultek completed his second full professional season playing like a true power forward. He had career highs in goals (25), assists (27), points (52) and penalty minutes (205). Zultek also finished second only to Adam Edinger with 13 power play goals and five game-winners, both also career bests. He had at least one point in 37 of 58 games this season. Zultek turned in his first professional hat trick and a career best four-point effort on December 20 against Roanoke. Rudkowsky Left Mark On Titans:

Goaltender Cody Rudkowsky finished a roller coaster ride of a season. He played in three different leagues this season, including the National Hockey League where he registered a win in his only appearance (October 24 @ Edmonton – 2-1). Rudkowsky helped put the Titans back in the mix after returning to the Titans lineup on December 13th. For the next six weeks of the season he went 11-3-5 with a 2.58 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. He defeated some of the ECHL's best teams including, Columbia, Pee Dee (twice), Charlotte, Roanoke (twice on the road), South Carolina and Atlantic City.

St. Germain Second Season Ends On A Roll:

Goaltender David St. Germain's 2002-03 season came to an abrupt end when he suffered an injury in the March 26 game against Richmond. He finished the season much like he did his rookie 2001-02 campaign, with an impressive unbeaten streak. From February 19 – March 26, St. Germain went 8-1-2 in his final 11 starts. He had a 2.19 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.

Clutch Kilbourne Proclaims: ‘I Am Iron Man':

Forward B.J. Kilbourne proved his worth taking home this season's "Iron Man" tag. Kilbourne was the only Titans player to appear in all 72 regular season games this season. He finished with 16 goals and 20 assists, and once again netted five game-winners. Two of which came down the stretch in the final month of the season in wins over Roanoke and Wheeling.

Hedlund Makes Most Of His Opportunity:

Rookie defenseman Andy Hedlund did what good young players do when given an opportunity at the next level – he never came back! It took just 13 games for Hedlund to get called up on November 10, as he left the Titans for the Binghamton Senators. He dressed for 59 games with the Senators netting a goal, seven assists and 48 penalty minutes. His +10 rating was tied for fifth on the squad.

Traynor Adds Crunch To Syracuse:

Veteran defenseman Paul Traynor once again made the most of his call-up and finished a successful season with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. For the fifth year in six seasons, Traynor began the season in the ECHL only to finish at the higher level. In 22 games with the Titans he finished with four goals, six assists, 44 penalty minutes and a +13 rating. He was even or a plus in 19 games with the Titans. In Syracuse he finished with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) and 44 penalty minutes in 42 games.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from April 11, 2003


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.

OurSports Central