News release
18 July 2007
Luke Stauffacher (left) and Matt Syroczynski (right) will suit up for the Jackals in 2007-08.
Two UHL Standouts Join Elmira For First ECHL Run
ELMIRA, NY The Elmira Jackals, proud member of the ECHLs North Division, announced today the signings of Luke Stauffacher and Matt Syroczynski for the 2007-2008 season. They join returning Jackals 2006-2007 leading scorer Frank Littlejohn as the first three players signed for Elmiras first ECHL campaign.
Jackals Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson is using his knowledge of UHL players to Elmiras advantage as they prepare for life in the ECHL. Martinson recruited two young UHL alums who bring to the ice both offensive firepower and the type of physical presence that Martinson-coached teams are known for. With the additions of Stauffacher and Syroczynski, Elmira now has two 42-goal scorers and all three announced players had over 100 penalty minutes last year.
I am really anticipating a great season, said Coach Martinson. By adding Littlejohn, Stauffacher and Syroczynski to the group of guys coming in from Rockford, I will have the toughest, most physical group of goal scorers that I have ever assembled.
Luke Stauffacher, (pronounced STAWF-ah-ker), enjoyed a phenomenal breakout season with the Quad City Mallards (UHL) in 2006-07, setting career highs in virtually every statistical category and helping the Mallards into the UHL Playoffs. The 58, 170 winger led his team in goals and finished tied with new teammate Frank Littlejohn for fourth in the UHL with 42 goals. Stauffacher added 29 assists to finish the year ranked 12th in the UHL with 71 points in 76 games and was one of only two Mallards to play in every regular season game.
The 26-year old native of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin became the first player in UHL history finish within the top-five in the League in goals (tied for fourth with 42) and major penalties (fourth with 21). Stauffacher set the UHLs 2006-07 Individual Game Highs for Points (6) and Plus/Minus (+6) in the same game; scoring two goals and four assists against the Flint Generals on December 30th, 2006. Following that performance he earned his first of two UHL Player of the Week Awards by scoring nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in four games during the week of December 25th-31st; his second award came in the week of January 8th-14th where he posted seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in four games.
Along with his explosive offensive season, Stauffacher demonstrated his commitment to being a solid two-way player, posting an impressive +21 rating and scoring 4 short-handed goals. He also recorded three hat tricks, eight multiple goal games and 13 power play goals. No stranger to the ECHL, Stauffacher returns to the league where he made his professional debut with the Peoria Rivermen in 2004-05 after the conclusion of his senior season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In 69 career ECHL games, Stauffacher scored 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) and 132 PIMs split between Peoria, Charlotte and Trenton.
The appeal of Elmira, first and foremost is Coach Martinson, said Stauffacher. He has proven that his teams are always successful, that he wins championships and he gets guys called up to the AHL. I am very excited to be back in the ECHL, it is an extremely professional league with great affiliations with the next level. I am excited to join Elmira as they move to the ECHL. I have heard great things about the city and the Jackals strong following from past players and I look forward to helping Elmira make a successful transition into the ECHL.
Stauffacher played four years of Division I college hockey for the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs of the WCHA. He appeared in 154 career NCAA games, scoring 74 points (36 goals, 38 assists) and 184 penalty minutes. At Duluth he made the WCHA All-Academic Team three times, and he was an alternate team captain for his junior and senior seasons, including in 2003-04 when UMD advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four. He also played four seasons of junior hockey for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, winning the USHL Championship in 1999-2000.
Matt Syroczynski, (pronounced SEAR-zin-ski), also enjoyed a breakthrough year in his first season as a professional. Known throughout his junior and college career for his size, the 65, 225 lbs left wing erupted in his rookie season to score 20 goals and post 41 points (21 assists) in 73 games played with the Fort Wayne Komets (UHL).
Syroczynski earned the UHL Rookie of the Month Award for January 2007 when he posted 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) with a hat trick and a +2 rating in 13 games played. He also received Fort Waynes Most Improved Player honor amongst the Komets season-ending awards.
The 24-year old native of Hamburg, NY is very familiar with the Steve Martinson style; Fort Wayne and Rockford finished neck-and-neck in the UHLs Western Conference Standings and faced each other in the Colonial Cup Semifinals. But another appealing item is that after growing up in the suburbs of Buffalo, Syroczynski is now playing for a team less than 150 miles from his hometown.
Coach Martinson was the biggest reason for me signing with Elmira, said Syroczynski. Everywhere he goes, he wins and obviously I want to be on a team that is competitive. I have heard great things about Elmira and it doesnt hurt that it is a lot closer to home, so that my family will have easier access to games. I am very excited about the upcoming season and being in Elmira, I just wish the season was weeks away instead of months.
Syroczynski played four years of Division I college hockey split between the University of Vermont Catamounts (Hockey East) and the Clarkson University Golden Knights (ECAC). Combined between the two schools he played in 113 career NCAA games, scoring 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) and recording 204 PIMs. In the year between his time at Clarkson and Vermont, Syroczynski played junior hockey for the Buffalo Lightning of the OPJHL and the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.