Wheeling Nailers Top Scorer Commits to Play in Roanoke
Published on August 15, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release
Roanoke, VA- Roanoke Express Head Coach and General Manager Perry Florio announced today that he has signed 23 year old center Dylan Gyori (pronounced "Gear-ee") for the 2002-2003 season.
Gyori, 5'11 190 lbs. from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, had been playing the past two seasons under contract with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2001-2002, he helped solidify the Penguins ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers. The second year pro scored 31 goals and 73 points to lead the Wheeling in both categories last season. Those numbers earned him a spot on the ECHL Northern Conference All Star Team coached by Express coach Perry Florio in the 2002 ECHL All Star game. "Dylan is an unbelievable talent. He has great vision on the ice and a nice finishing touch around the net. He is not afraid to mix it up either to get the job done. He is young, hungry, and ready to do battle for us. We are very solid now with Peron, Gyori, and Tootoo up the middle".
In 2000-2001, Gyori played in 70 games for the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Penguins of the American Hockey League. During that season he registered 5 goals, 20 points, and 86 penalty minutes. He split time in the 1999-2000 season between the Wilkes-Barre Penguins and the Richmond Renegades.
"Dylan has played over 100 games in the American Hockey League and wants very badly to get back there", said Perry Florio. "We will help him do that as that is the philosophy of our organization. To be only 23 and have that much experience is a huge bonus for us. It will be fun and exciting for our fans to see a guy like Dylan perform".
The free agent center man played his junior hockey for the Tri City Americans of the Western Hockey League, the same league that produced former Express talents Vern Fiddler and Kevin McDonald. Gyori's best season was 1998-1999 where in 69 games he tallied 53 goals and 65 assists for 118 points. The previous two seasons he registered 143 points in 144 games while racking up 176 penalty minutes.
The Express open their 2002-2003 home slate on October 18 vs. the Greensboro Generals.
ECHL Stories from August 15, 2002
- Express Retains Help off the Ice - Roanoke Express
- Defenseman Ryan Gaucher Signs; 12th Player Inked for 2002-03 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Wheeling Nailers Top Scorer Commits to Play in Roanoke - Roanoke Express
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