Jackals Bring Back Buffalo Native Nick Tuzzolino

ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that veteran defenseman Nick Tuzzolino has signed a Standard Player Contract for the 2014-2015 season.

"Nick is a defensive leader with almost 500 games of professional experience," said Jackals head coach Jamie Russell. "He brings a captain's mentality to our young group of men. Nick is a general on and off the ice and we are very pleased to have an asset like him in Elmira."

Tuzzolino, 28, returns to Elmira after a cup of coffee with the Jackals during the 2013-2014 season. The Buffalo, NY native was acquired by Elmira from the Fort Wayne Komets on November 25, 2013 in exchange for defenseman Jordan Southorn. Tuzzolino was loaned to the Rochester Americans just days later and was returned to the Jackals for a brief stint in December. In total, the 6-foot-5 225-pound blueliner logged four games with the Jackals and 36 with the Americans. He also skated in 13 games with Fort Wayne to begin the season. 

Tuzzolino split the 2012-2013 season between the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies and the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Heat. With the Grizzlies he was fourth in the league, and tops among defenseman, with 21 power play assists and was ranked the second best defenseman in the league for power play points (23) in only 44 games. He ranked fifth and eighth, respectively, among defenseman in the league for assist (31) and points (36).  For his efforts Tuzzolino was named to the 2012-13 All-ECHL Second Team. He also saw action in 14 games with the Heat and registered one goal along with 11 penalty minutes. 

Tuzzolino was a seventh round draft pick (#196 overall) by the New York Islanders in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. In seven years as a pro Tuzzolino has appeared in 300 ECHL games combined between Alaska, Utah, Wheeling, Fort Wayne and Elmira. He has totaled 153 points (35 goals, 118 assists) and 745 penalty minutes in that time. He has also logged 86 AHL games between Abbotsford, Lake Erie, Portland and Rochester. Before turning pro Tuzzolino played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League splitting time with the Sarina Sting and Sudbury Wolves with 70 points (13 goals, 57 assists) and 338 penalty minutes in 168 games.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals open their home schedule for their eighth season of ECHL hockey on Friday, October 17 against the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:05 p.m. Don't miss a minute of the action with Jackals season tickets! Call 607-734-7825 or visit jackalshockey.com to order your season tickets today. Can't make it to every game? No problem! The Jackals are offering 10 and 20-game select and flex ticket plans! Get 'em while they're hot!