The Elmira Jackals, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres have signed former Pembroke Lumber Kings forward Matthew Zay.
“I am excited to join the Elmira Jackals organization and be part of the new culture in Elmira,” said Zay. “It is going to be an exciting year and I am looking forward to a successful 2016-17 season. Thank you to Dave Leger and Jared Abbott for bringing me aboard.”
The Glendale, NY native spent the 2010-11 season with the Lumber Kings where he helped the team win their first ever RBC Cup National Championship. In 78 combined regular season, playoff, and tournament games, Zay totalled 26 goals and 73 points.
From there the 6-1, 190 forward went on to play 4 seasons at NCAA Mercyhurst University, captaining the club in his senior season. He scored 48 goals and 128 points in 151 career games with the Lakers.
The now 25-year old spent last season with the ECHL’s Evansville Icemen where he scored 9 goals and finished with 21 points in 58 games as a rookie pro.
Known as a smart two-way forward who has a lethal wrist shot off the rush, Zay has great penalty kill awareness, reads the transition well, and does a great job moving the puck through the neutral zone.
The Jackals, who recently named former Hawkesbury Hawks and Cumberland Grads bench boss David Leger as their Head Coach will look to improve on last season where they failed to make the postseason despite having a winning record.
Official release found on the Elmira Jackals website.
http://www.jackalshockey.com/news-1/jackals-agree-to-terms-with-forward-matthew-zay
