News release
22 February 2006
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals announced today they have signed former Oswego State University goaltender Tyson Gajda and added him to their roster after goaltender Ryan McIntosh left the team.
Gajda comes to the Jackals as a free agent. Although still considered a rookie by UHL definitions, the Westfield, Massachusetts native has played for five different teams in his first two seasons of pro hockey. This season Gajda spent time with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and the Lubbock Cotton Kings both of the Central Hockey League. In 2004-05 he started with the Kansas City Outlaws (UHL), the Topeka Tarantulas (CHL) and the Memphis Riverkings (CHL). While in Topeka, Gajda was teammates with Jackals defenseman John Donnelly.
The 61, 185 lbs goalie played 4-years of Division III college hockey at Oswego State University of the SUNYAC. Gajdas best season was his junior year of college, 2002-03 where he went 20-5-0 with at 2.24 GAA and a 0.922 SPCT. Gajda will tandem with starting goaltender Nick Boucher. Ryan McIntosh was placed on a 45-day Non Roster spot Tuesday after he left the team for a new job outside of hockey.
The Jackals hit the road this week for their furthest road trip of the season. Elmira will drive almost 900 miles to St. Charles, Missouri to play two games against the Missouri River Otters. This is the Jackals first trip to Missouri since the 2002-03 season and they will play at 8:00 pm EST both Friday and Saturday nights.