Spiders get ready for the 2018–19 season
Oct. 25, 2018
The AHA 2018–19 winter season, the league’s 18th year, gets underway tonight, though the Spiders get a much-needed bye for opening week and instead start week 2. But the Spiders’ 2018–19 season roster is now set, with a few changes since last season.
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The Spiders bid farewell to the Doc, Rob Droullard, who has been assigned to the likely permanent IR department. Rob joined the Spiders in 2008–09 in a blockbuster trade with the Buccaneers that included Chris Pettengill and Nick Ungaro (and a “player to be named later” that turned out to be Bill McCormick), and propelled the Spiders to their first (and only ... so far) championship, and played 185 games in the Red and White.
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The Spiders also bid a delayed farewell to Rick Fritz, who spent the 2017–18 season on the IR hoping for a doctor-permitted comeback that never materialized. Rick joined the team in another trade for picks to be named later with the D1 Ice Sages in 2011–12, and played 91 games for the Spiders, nine short of reaching the century mark, and one short of finally claiming his coveted #9 jersey from Doc Rob.
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The Spiders also wish a temporary farewell and speedy return to Derek Elling, who will take the season off for military duty.
And while Tim Byland stays on the IR list for at least another season, the Spiders finally have some good news in the IR department.
The Spiders are pleased to welcome back to the Red and White:
Both spent multiple seasons on the PUP list, and the Spiders are happy to see them both return to the ice.
Despite leading the team to its fourth consecutive losing season, the team captaincy remains unchanged following the usual unanimous vote: Jeremy Litton as captain, and Eric Grotbeck and Michael Schroeder as alternates.
The rest of the Spiders’ roster remains the same (albeit another year closer to the AARP league eligibility) and is ready to hit the ice next weekend to kick off the Spiders’ 15th season in the AHA (14th winter season; 15th including Beginner School), and will look to get back to the AHA post-season after yet another spring of late snow but early golf.
Check out the full 2018–19 C3 Spiders roster.
