Spiders announce 2014-15 roster
Oct. 8, 2014
The summer of 2013 saw the Spiders shake up the roster as a result of the AHA promoting the team from C1 to the B3 level. After an uneventful, ho-hum, nothing-to-see-here 10-10 record in the 2013-14 season, one would have expected a quiet summer from the boys in red. Instead a litany of injuries and assorted life events left the Spiders looking to rebuild the roster heading into the new season.
Leaving the Spiders are future first ballot Spider Hall of Famer Dave Schliesman, Brian Armagost, and Mark Bortnem.
Schliesman had hip replacement over the summer and, while getting around better than he has in years, won’t be hitting the ice this winter. If Schliesman is in fact done, he retires as the Spiders’ career leader in goals with 102 and points with 190. Dave started with the Spiders in 2005 and has worn the C since the founding of the C2/C1/B3 squad in 2007. In that time the Spiders have won nearly 70% of their games with two tier runner up finishes. Thanks for everything Dave! We expect to see you on the bench.
Armagost joined the Spiders in 2006 and is also a founding member of the Spiders junior squad. Armagost has played in 144 games between the two teams and has filled a crucial role as a utility man playing well at both forward and defense, even from one shift to the next at times. Bortnem is nearly a rookie compared to Schlies and Armo but still has plenty to be proud of. Another member of the Century Club, Bortnem has scored 82 points in 107 career games.
Stepping back from full time to sub status are Doug Thorson, Chris Stalpes, Bob Maietta, and Shawn Tromiczak.
Stepping up to full time status for the 2014-15 season are Geoff Kuppe, Cory Vandenberghe, Cody Buckalew, and Derk Jacobson. Kuppe joined the team as a sub last season and skated in nearly as many games as some of the full timers. Vandenberghe returns to full time status as he was in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Buckalew also returns to the Spiders after skating as a sub in 2012-13. Jacobson subbed in goal for the Spiders a couple times as far back as 2011 before skating out as a sub last season.
New to Spiders squad are Hank Long, Ryan Wilson, and Mario Mariani. Hank Long was recommended by Josh Cagle and his brother-in-law Tom Prausa. With his undergrad degree in journalism and a law degree, Hank will immediately become Spider sports information director and general counsel upon the occasion of his first shift. Ryan Wilson is Hank’s cousin and his enthusiasm for the season is obvious and contagious. Mario Mariani is friends with Jim Maietta. Mario has big shoes to fill as the last two guys Jim recruited, Bob Maietta and Mike Townsend, averaged near 1.5 points per game last season.
Schedules won’t be released for another week or so but the AHA has announced games will start the weekend of October 24th. The captains meeting will be held on October 14th and hopefully the schedule for the first week is available at that time.
