Jackals Add Two In Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, IN - The Elmira Jackals, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and the AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that rookie goaltender Sam Marotta has been returned on loan to Rochester. Additionally, the team announced today that they have signed forward Nardo Nagtzaam to an amateur tryout agreement.

Marotta, 24, joins the Jackals in Fort Wayne, Indiana following his second professional American Hockey League call-up. Marotta saw his first AHL action on Wednesday as he entered the game in the third period and made nine saves. The Bridgewater, Massachusetts native has amassed an 11-19-1 record with a 2.65 goals-against-average and a .911 save percentage in 34 games with the Jackals this season. The rookie netminder ranks second among all first-year goaltenders in goals-against-average and ranks third in save percentage. Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-4 200-pound goaltender appeared in 47 games for Merrimack College and posted a 2.39 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage.

Nagtzaam, 24, joins the Jackals following the conclusion of his collegiate career at Mercyhurst College. The Nijmegen, Netherlands native appeared in 96 NCAA games at Mercyhurst College and recorded 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) and 32 penalty minutes. Nagtzaam split his junior career between the Alaska Avalanche and the Alexandria Blizzard of the North American Hockey League. He was named to the NAHL First All-Star Team and the NAHL All-Central Division Team during the 2010-11 campaign with Alexandria. The 6-foot 200-pound forward was also named to the NAHL All-Central Division Team during the 2009-10 season, which he split between Alaska and Alexandria. Nagtzaam has also competed internationally for Netherlands. He earned a U20 WJC (D2lB) Silver Medal and recorded the most goals (9) in the tournament in 2009-10. Nagtzaam also earned a U20 WJC (D2lB) Bronze Medal and recorded the best face-off percentage (73.01) in 2008-09. He also earned a U20 WJC (D2lB) Silver Medal in 2007-08.

In separate roster moves, the club has released Erik Lasky as an emergency backup goaltender and the team has placed forward Trevor Gerling on reserve.