Jackals Agree to Terms with Seidel, Marotta

ELMIRA, NY -  The Elmira Jackals, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and the AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward Mike Seidel and goaltender Sam Marotta.

Seidel, 27, returns for his second season with the Jackals after leading the club in scoring last season. The Darien, Illinois native recorded career highs with 23 goals and 42 points in 58 games for Elmira. In his first professional season, the 5-foot-11 180-pound forward recorded 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 67 combined games between the Evansville Icemen and Gwinnett Gladiators.

"We are ecstatic to have Mike Seidel return to the Jackals for the 2015-16 season," said Jackals head coach Jamie Russell. "He led our team in scoring last year while battling through a nagging injury that limited his number of games and plagued him for much of the second half. At full health, we feel Mike can have a special year and take the next step in his development."

Prior to turning pro, Seidel spent four seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and notched 88 points (47 goals, 41 assists) in 150 NCAA games as well as being a member of the 2010-11 NCAA championship squad. He played three seasons in the United Stated Hockey League with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and posted 163 points (60 goals, 103 assists) in 173 USHL games.

Marotta, 24, joins Seidel as he returns for his second season with the Jackals. The Bridgewater, Massachusetts native appeared in 36 games for Elmira in his first professional season, recording 11 wins, a 2.74 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Marotta appeared in one contest with the Fayetteville FireAntz of the SPHL to begin the season prior to signing with the Jackals. The 6-foot-4 200-pound netminder also earned his first two call-ups to the AHL, stopping nine shots in 20 minutes of action with the Rochester Americans.   

"Sam had a very successful rookie campaign as he adjusted from the college game to pro hockey," said Russell. "He is fundamentally sound, has good size and competes hard. We want Sam to continue to develop his focus and preparation as he now knows what to expect from the grind of a 72 game schedule. Sammy is a terrific teammate and is well liked in the room."

Prior to turning pro, Marotta appeared in 47 games for Merrimack College and posted a 2.39 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.