Zac and Gus to the NHL

Published on October 27, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have recalled recalled 5-11, 185-lb left wing Zac Rinaldo and 5-10, 180-lb defenseman Erik Gustafsson from the Adirondack Phantoms, according to general manager Paul Holmgren. They will both be available for tonight's 7pm game vs. Winnipeg.

Rinaldo, 21 (6/15/90), has appeared in five games for the Flyers so far this season. He recorded 28 PIM and also picked up his first NHL point with an assist on Oct. 18 at Ottawa. He played in four games for the Phantoms this season, all in the last week. He scored his first goal of the season on Sunday, October 23 to clinch a 3-1 victory at Rochester. Rinaldo was second in the AHL last year with 331 penalty minutes and brought his toughness to the Flyers for their post-season run making his NHL debut on April 22, 2011 in Game 5 of the Flyers' opening round series with the Buffalo Sabres. He again got to play in the next round against the Boston Bruins. The Hamilton, Ontario native came to the Phantoms from the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

Rinaldo worked out hard during the off-season and made some adjustments to his game and his approach. "I wanted to show my teammates that I'm not going to go out and take penalties to put the team down," Rinaldo said. "(It's a) Huge focus. The Flyers told me to just concentrate on getting better as an overall hockey player and that's what I'm trying to do."

On his earlier stint with the Flyers, Rinaldo said it could not have gone better, "It was a great experience and I took a lot from it and I have a lot more confidence now than I ever did last year so I'm just going to keep going with it."

Gustafsson, 22 (12/15/88) comes to the Flyers for the first time this season. He has four assists in eight games for the Phantoms so far in 2011-12. Gustafsson appeared in three games for the Flyers last season, and also posted 49 points (5G, 44A) for the Phantoms in 72 appearances in 2010-11.

He led Adirondack in assists and finished second on the team in points trailing Denis Hamel by just one point. Gustafsson appeared in the AHL All-Star Classic in Hershey on January 31, 2011 and won the puck-handling contest in the skills competition the day before. At the end of the year, he was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. The Northern Michigan University product is in his second full season of professional hockey. he made his NHL debut on February 26, 2011 in a Philadelphia Flyers game at the Ottawa Senators. He got the opportunity to play again for Philadelphia in games on March 17 and 19.

Holmgren also announced that recent Phantoms standout C Brayden Schenn sustained a broken left foot in last night's game at Montreal and will be out of action for four to six weeks. Schenn, 20 (8/22/91), was recalled by the Flyers on October 19 and has appeared in four games, going scoreless. Schenn has recorded four goals and four assists for eight points in four games for Adirondack so far this season, incluidng a hat trick on October 14 in a 6-3 win vs. Bridgeport.

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 28, 7:00 - Phantoms vs. Connecticut. Sean Avery playing on the Connecticut Whale now. $2 draft Bud Light and Labatt Blue through first intermission.

Saturday, October 29, 7:00 - Phantoms vs. Hershey at the GFCC. Kids Halloween Costume Parade. Postgame open-skate with the Phantoms players presented by Glens Falls Hospital.

Sunday, October 30, 1:30-4:00 - Cruise with the Phantoms presented by the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation. All Phantoms players appearing! Hor d'oeuvres and cash bar. Tickets $25 for adults, $15 for kids: Available at GFCC Box Office and Achenbach Jewelers.

Monday, October 31, 7:00 - Phantoms Power Hour LIVE from McGinny's Tavern in Glens Falls (193 Glen Street). Player guests: #13 Garrett Roe, #24 Harry Zolnierczyk.

Get great savings and have fun with your friends, family or co-workers by bringing your group of 15 or more fans to enjoy fast-paced, hard-hitting Phantoms hockey. Call the Phantoms to find out more at 518-480-3355 and check the team's website at phantomshockey.com.

Catch all the action of Phantoms hockey all season long on the team's flagship station, Classic Hits Q101.7 and on phantomshockey.com. Bob Rotruck has the broadcast coverage 30 minutes prior to game-time with Countdown to Faceoff.

Reaching 4,000 Twitter followers during Sunday's game in Rochester, the Adirondack Phantoms are now over 10,000 members strong on their social media networks. Be sure to follow us on twitter @phantomshockey and on facebook.com/adkhockey.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2011


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