On Wednesday the Green Bay Gamblers announced their roster for the upcoming 2017-18 United States Hockey League season. The Gamblers will open the regular season this Friday, October 6th versus the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Saturday, October 7th versus the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Both games are at the Resch Center at7:05 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the Resch Center Box Office or online at gamblershockey.com.
Along the blueline the Gamblers coaching staff has put together a talent group of defensemen. Leading the way are returners Jackson Charlesworth and Michael Bevilacqua. Michigan recruit Michael Vukojevic highlights a talented group of incoming rookies that include Ryan Verrier, Michael Underwood, Tyler Spott, Andy Carroll and Carver Watson.
Up front the Gamblers will be led by top returning scorer Matt Jennings. The Ohio State recruit posted 25 points in 60 games last season. Also returning to Green Bay for another season are Rory Herrman, Brock Caufield, Josh Dunne, Trenton Bliss and Nolan Moyle. Lean Bergmann joins the team after spending last season with the Sioux Falls Stampede.
The veterans will be joined by a very talented core of forwards which include newcomers Noah Prokop, Jesse Jacques, Nicholas Nardella, Mac Welsher, Paul Maust, McKade Webster and Kyler Head.
Goaltender Maksim Zhukov returns to the Gamblers for another season between the pipes. Zhukov was selected in the 4th round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Backing up Zhukov will be first year goaltender Jake Begley.
To get to the required 23-man list the Gamblers also parted ways with forwards Alex Mella Matthew Cassidy, goaltender Juraj Sklenar and have traded defenseman John Pesek to the Des Moines Buccaneers for an eighth round draft pick.
