RoadRunners sign five players, add two on tryout contracts
October 6, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL have agreed to terms on contracts with forwards Jason Deskins, Joe Dusbabek, and Jarrett Konkle, and defensemen Taylor Christie and John Fieweger. Per club policy, terms of each deal were not disclosed.
Deskins, 26, finished second in scoring last season while skating for the Quad City Mallards of the United Hockey League with 27 goals and 66 points in 74 games. The Warren, Mich. native and fourth-year professional returns to the ECHL where he spent his first three seasons as a member of the Trenton Titans, Arkansas RiverBlades, and Dayton Bombers and tallied 36 goals and 79 points in 124 games. Deskins has recorded 63 goals and 145 points in 198 career games.
Dusbabek, 27, also comes to Phoenix from Quad City where he netted 11 goals and 33 points in 71 games with the Mallards. The Fairbault, Minn. native and sixth-year professional played four seasons for the now-defunct Roanoke Express of the ECHL and ranks among Roanoke's all-time leaders in goals, assists, points, and games played. Dusbabek was a former seventh round draft choice of the San Jose Sharks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and a member of the 1997 Central Collegiate Hockey Association's All-Rookie Team while playing for Notre Dame. He has tallied 75 goals and 203 points in 307 career games.
"These are the last two pieces of our puzzle, and both will bring experience and talent to our front end," said RoadRunners General Manager and Head Coach Ron Filion. "Joe is an all-around, dedicated player that will bring a lot of character to our line up, while Jason's offensive skills should be a perfect fit with a few of our top forwards. Each of our players has a definite job and those two should excel in their designated roles."
Konkle, Christie, and Fieweger come to the RoadRunners as rookies.
Konkle, 22, is the RoadRunners third signing from Elmira (N.Y.) College joining forward Craig MacDonald and defenseman Chris Mann. A native of Milton, Ont., Konkle captured the ECAC Division III West scoring crown in 2004-05 with 21 goals and 41 points and was named to the ECAC West All-Conference Second Team. He finished his career at Elmira with 68 goals and 125 points in 98 games. Christie, 22, makes his professional debut after completing a four-year collegiate career at Bowling Green State University. The Toronto, Ont. native was a sixth round draft choice of the Colorado Avalanche at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Fieweger, 22, attended training camp last season with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. The Stevens Point, Wis. native spent the 2003-04 season with the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
The RoadRunners have also signed forwards Trevor Cooke and Matthew Little to tryout contracts.
Phoenix will host their first training camp as a member of the ECHL beginning Monday with physicals and team pictures at America West Arena before hitting the ice for the first time at 10AM on Tuesday at Arcadia Ice Arena.
Come break the ice! The Phoenix RoadRunners will host their first annual Ice Breaker Party presented by Texas Roadhouse from 12PM-4PM this Saturday inside the Casino Arizona Pavilion at America West Arena. Select your seats for the 2005-06 regular season right on the spot and meet RoadRunners players, coaches, and staff.
RoadRunners professional hockey returns to downtown Phoenix at 7PM on Saturday, October 22 when the Utah Grizzlies visit America West Arena in the ECHL season opener for both teams. Season tickets for all 36 home games are on sale now and start as low as $252. For more information or to find out how you can order tickets, call (602) 462-GOAL or visit www.phxroadrunners.co
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