D-Men Guentzel, Schaus reassigned to Komets

Fort Wayne, IN ---The Komets’ AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, announced today that defensemen Gabe Guentzel and Nick Schaus have been assigned from Norfolk to the ECHL Fort Wayne team.

Guentzel, 24, will be making his second appearance with the Komets this season since appearing in three games earlier scoring a goal and adding three assists while posting a +6.  The 6-foot, 185-pound rookie has appeared in 30 games with the Admirals this season scoring five assists and accumulating 22 penalty minutes.  Guentzel made his pro debut last season skating 12 games with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch at the end 2011-12 after completing four seasons in the WCHA at Colorado College.  The Woodbury, Minnesota native was named to the 2011-12 WCHA All-Second Team and led Colorado College defensemen with 22 assists and 26 points.

Schaus, 26, is in his fourth pro season after starting his career in the AHL with Worcester in 2009.  The Orchard Park, New York native has appeared in 18 games with Norfolk this year scoring a goal and three points while accumulating 17 penalty minutes.  Schaus will be making his third trip to Fort Wayne this season after scoring a goal, seven points and 16 penalty minutes over 14 games during two previous assignments.  Last year Schaus skated 45 games with Syracuse (4g, 4a) and appeared in 10 ECHL games with Elmira (1g, 4a).

Guentzel and Schaus are expected to be in the lineup tonight when the Komets skate the first of a two-game series at South Carolina at 7:05pm.  The Komets will faceoff against the Stingrays at the North Charleston Arena (6,712) in North Charleston, South Carolina again Saturday at 7:05pm. 

Both games at South Carolina will be webcast live at www.Komets.com and can be heard on WOWO Radio AM 1190 and FM 92.3 with Bob Chase calling the play-by-play in his 60^th season behind the Komets’ microphone.

Komets Florida Weekend Double-header—After this weekend’s trip to South Carolina, the Komets return home to host the Florida Everblades Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9.  It’s the only meetings of the season between the K’s and Everblades and marks the return of former Komet Brent Henley to Coliseum ice.