Zack is Back in Adirondack
July 19, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
The Phantoms are excited to announce that Zack FitzGerald has been signed to an AHL contract with Adirondack for the 2013-14 season. FitzGerald was immensely popular in his debut season in Glens Falls and his dedication to the community earned him the Phantoms AHL/IOA American Specialty Man of the Year Award.
Affectionately known as "Fitzy" by the fans as well as his teammates, he said that the overwhelmingly positive reception he received with the Phantoms fans was a factor in his desire to return to the team.
"Immediately people here were on my side and they accepted me into the team," FitzGerald said. "And they even went above and beyond. Some people were making signs and t-shirts and all this twitter stuff. I actually couldn't really believe it. That's a big reason why I wanted to come back. They make hockey that much more fun for me. So it was an easy decision to come back."
When it came to post-game autograph sessions or photo opportunities with the Phantoms players, the line of fans for Fitzy was frequently the longest. And he was always sure to reciprocate the good will back to his legions of loyal followers and especially all the kids as he would flash his big gap-toothed smile for them and the cameras. His signature phrase, "It's all about the kids," nicely sums up his attitude of interacting with the fan-base and the community.
Due to his massive popularity, the Adirondack Phantoms are also making plans for a Zack FitzGerald Tribute Night with details to be announced at a later date.
FitzGerald, 28, enters his ninth season of professional hockey having played a combined 432 games including 409 in the AHL. He has 1676 total penalty minutes as well as 12 career goals and 39 assists for 51 points.
Last year with Adirondack, FitzGerald played in 36 games scoring one goal and racking up 202 penalty minutes to finish eighth in the league. Many of his penalty minutes came from fighting majors and some of those big bouts were trigger-points for emotional sparks among his Phantoms teammates.
FitzGerald has led the American Hockey League in penalty minutes two times in the past four seasons. With the Charlotte Checkers in 2009-10 he accumulated 311 penalty minutes for the most in the AHL. And he led the league again in 2011-12 with 268 penalty minutes playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs.
The Twin Harbors, Minn. native was a third-round selection of the St. Louis Blues in 2003 and has played in the AHL with the Peoria Rivermen, Manitoba Moose, Albany River Rats, Charlotte Checkers, Hamilton Bulldogs and Adirondack Phantoms. He played one NHL game in 2007-08 on a quick call-up to the Vancouver Canucks. He spent most of his career playing as a defenseman but last year transitioned to left wing by December and from then on would spend the rest of the season as a forward.
FitzGerald said that he had expressed to the Flyers' organization how happy he was with the previous season, how much he enjoyed playing in Glens Falls, and how much he wanted to return in 2013-14.
"I'm super-excited and I think they are too. I think it will be good for everybody," FitzGerald said.
The 25th season of AHL excitement in Glens Falls is coming this October! Opening Night is Saturday, October 12. And the team's first preseason game is Saturday, September 28. Catch the Phantoms for less than $10 per game with season tickets or receive great savings with your group night or birthday party package. Call the Phantoms to find out more at 518-480-3355.
American Hockey League Stories from July 19, 2013
- Blackhawks Agree to Terms with Leblanc, Peckham and Kostka - Rockford IceHogs
- Winnipeg Jets Jets Agree to Terms with Michael Hutchinson - St. John's IceCaps
- Monarchs Sign Niederberger - Manchester Monarchs
- Pirates Sign Chris Rawlings to AHL Contract - Portland Pirates
- Coyotes Sign Yip - Portland Pirates
- Zack is Back in Adirondack - Adirondack Phantoms
- Blue Jackets Sign Parlett and Machacek - Springfield Falcons
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.
