Oct. 2, 2007

Youngstown, Ohio - The Youngstown SteelHounds Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kaminski announced today that the team has signed goaltender Andy Franck for the 2007-08 season. Per team policy the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Franck, 26, entering his third season as a pro comes to Youngstown after beginning his career with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. In two seasons with Wheeling the native of Lakewood, Ohio compiled a 60-41-9 record with eight shutouts, a 2.76 goals against average and an impressive .912 save percentage.

In his rookie season with the Nailers the 6-1, 195-pound goalie was an ECHL All Star and was named to the All ECHL Rookie Team. Franck was also named ECHL Goaltender of the Month for February, 2006 as he led the Nailers to the playoffs that season.

Head Coach Kevin Kaminski feels that this may be the biggest signing of the year saying, "Andy is the number one goalie we've been looking for! Every coach and general manager I've talked to have had nothing but good things to say about this kid. His numbers speak for them self. We look for Andy to take charge and be a leader between the pipes and in the locker room. This will give us a very strong 1 - 2 punch!"

Franck becomes the third player from Mercyhurst College to be signed by the Hounds this season joining forward Erik Johnson and defenseman Denis Kirstein. Andy also teamed with fellow SteelHound and Canfield, Ohio native Paul DeJoe for two seasons at St. Edward High School in Cleveland.

Story Credit: Tim Sampsell, Youngstown Steelhounds