News release
16 September 2005
Elmira, NY The Elmira Jackals announced today the signing of new forwards Sam Paolini, Stephen Greeley, Tanner Shultz and the return of forward Jeff Antonovich for the 2005-2006 season.
Paolini, a native of Rochester, NY, almost came to the Jackals in 2003-2004, his rookie season. Heavily recruited by former Coach Todd Brost, Paolini went to the ECHLs Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies and scored 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) for his first year as a pro. In 2004-05, the 25-year old spent most of the season with the Toledo Storm, before moving to the Greenville Grrrowl for their playoff run. Ever the hot commodity, Paolini has been called up to the American Hockey League six different times during his first two seasons, making stops in Cleveland, San Antonio, Rochester, and Utah. Paolini, who also played 4-years of college hockey for Cornell University, scored a total of 16 AHL games he has scored 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists).
Antonovich becomes the third player with veteran status signed by the Jackals this off-season. Last season, the Coleraine, Minnesota native missed just one game all year, scoring 54 points (15 goals, 39 assists) in 79 games played. Of his ten professional seasons, parts of four of them have been with the Elmira Jackals. Antonovich ranks 6th on the Jackals All-Time Scoring list with 136 points (46 goals, 90 assists), just two points behind defenseman Trevor Burgess.
Greeley becomes the second player to sign with the Jackals who played for the Pee Dee Pride in 2004-2005. The 24-year old split his rookie season between the Charlotte Checkers, the Mississippi Sea Wolves and Pee Dee. However, since Greeley only appeared in 47 games last season, he is still classified as a rookie under current United Hockey League definitions. The native of Scituate, MA, played 4-years of college hockey for the Boston University Terriers of Hockey East.
Stephen Greeley is a small guy in stature with a heart the size of a lion, said Coach Florio. He is over his leg injury from last year which prohibited his talents from shining through. He has great speed and skill and he should flourish under the new rules. He is a constant source of inspiration to his teammates and his charisma makes him one of the most popular players in the room.
Shultz, a 20-year old from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, signs with the Jackals straight out of the Canadian Junior hockey system. Shultz, has racked up more than 600 penalty minutes combined in his last two seasons of juniors. In 2004-05, while playing for the La Range Ice Wolves of the SJHL (Saskatchewan), Shultz had 31 points (9 goals, 22 assists) and 285 PIMs in 42 games played. The year before, 2003-04, he had 331 minutes of penalties playing for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. Along with Greeley, Shultz, who spent this summer playing hockey in Australia, becomes the second rookie signed by the Jackals for the upcoming season.