The Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL announced Monday that four players have been added to the preseason roster. Defenseman Curtis Leonard and forward Mason Baptista have agreed to terms and will be returning to the Fort Wayne fold for 2016-17. Also rookie forwards Daniel Erlich and Chase Nieuwendyk have inked agreements to make their pro debuts with the Komets.
Nieuwendyk, 25, finished a four-year NCAA-III collegiate career with Brockport in the SUNYAC (State University of New York Athletic Conference) last season leading Brockport for the second straight year in goals with 14. The rookie forward also led the team with 37 points for the third consecutive season.
Nieuwendyk is a nephew of NHL Hall-of-Famer Joe Nieuwendyk and began his juniors career in 2008-09 with Brampton in the OJHL. The Georgetown, Ontario native led Brampton with 24 goals in 2009-10 and completed his juniors career in 2011-12 skating 49 games with Trenton, leading the golden Hawks with 27 goals and 57 points.
Nieuwendyk, 25, finished a four-year NCAA-III collegiate career with Brockport in the SUNYAC (State University of New York Athletic Conference) last season leading Brockport for the second straight year in goals with 14. The rookie forward also led the team with 37 points for the third consecutive season.
Nieuwendyk is a nephew of NHL Hall-of-Famer Joe Nieuwendyk and began his juniors career in 2008-09 with Brampton in the OJHL. The Georgetown, Ontario native led Brampton with 24 goals in 2009-10 and completed his juniors career in 2011-12 skating 49 games with Trenton, leading the golden Hawks with 27 goals and 57 points.
