Brahmas Make Moves Before Deadline

Photo Courtesy of David Dudich: Brahmas trade Forwards RJ Salvato, Paul Fregeau and Todd Koritzinsky prior to trade deadline.

The Lone Star Brahmas have made multiple roster moves prior to the February 6 NAHL Trade Deadline.

Forward RJ Salvato has been traded to the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL Midwest Division. The Brown Bears are currently one point out of a playoff spot in the division and were looking for offense down the stretch. They are hoping that Salvato can fill that roll.

Salvato was originally drafted by the Corpus Christi Icerays with their first overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NAHL Entry Draft. He as the 37th overall selection. Salvato a 94 birth year played last season with the Colorado Rampage U18 where he put up 12G – 17A in 40 games played.

Despite being drafted by Corpus Christi, 6’ 2” – 170 pound native of Denver began the season with Lone Star registering 3G – 6A in 35 games. RJ’s first goal of the season came on October 19^th in a 3 – 2 win over Rio Grande Valley. The goal started a four game point streak in which he logged 6 points. His biggest game in a Brahmas sweater came at home against the Odessa Jackalopes when he assisted on all three Lone Star goals in a 3 – 2 win.

Salvato was named one of the stars of the game three times and had three shootout goals in six opportunities.

Also leaving the Brahmas is Forward Paul Fregeau, who will be moving on to the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. Green Bay is currently holding down the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Gamblers have struggled somewhat to find the net this season and will look to Fregeau to add some scoring punch and grit to the roster.

Fregeau entered the preseason as a member of the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL after having spent the previous season with the Boston Bandits of the EJHL scoring 9G – 6A in 43 games. In four preseason games with Des Moines, the Sylmar, CA native who is 6’ 3” – 195, logged 1G – 3A. Paul joined the Brahmas for their opening game of the NAHL Showcase Tournament. Fregeau paid immediate dividends getting an assist in his first game and totaling 1G – 2A in the four tournament games. For the season Paul contributed 5G – 8A in 28 games despite missing a 6 week stretch beginning in late October due to injury.

Fregeau was named as a star of the game, once during his stay with the Brahmas. He also scored on one of two shootout attempts and was a +1 as one of only two players with a positive +/- rating.

Lastly, Forward Todd Koritzinsky is reportedly heading to the Soo Eagles of the NAHL North Division. The Eagles are setting in fourth place in the division two points our of third and two points ahead of Springfield who has a game in hand. The Eagles need to generate offense to stay in the playoff hunt and the speedy Koritzinsky will be a welcome addition.

Koritzinsky spent last season with the NAHL’s Janesville Jets where he put up 7G – 13A in 20 games.  He came to the Brahmas via trade at the start of the season. In 38 games so far this season Koritzinsky has scored 4G – 8A. His first goal came on September 28th at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. He had 1G – 1A in a 4 – 0 shutout of the Amarillo Bulls at the NyTex Sports Centre.

Photo Courtesy of David Dudich: Former Lone Star Brahmas Captain AJ Duggan is set to return from the injured list.

With former Captain AJ Duggan set to return from the injured list, the Brahmas were able to move Salvato, Fregeau and Koritzinsky with an eye to the future. The Brahmas are reportedly receiving several Tenders as part of the deals. Prior to going down with a concussion on October 25th, Duggan had registered 5G – 5A in 14 games. Duggan scored the first regular season goal in Brahmas history and had the first game winner for Lone Star with an overtime goal in the season opener against Rio Grande Valley.

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The Brahmas will be at home against the Odessa Jackalopes this Friday and Saturday. The Jackalopes are currently five points behind the Brahmas in the NAHL South Division standings. Tickets for both games are available at the NyTex Sports Centre Ticket Office, online at LoneStarBrahmas.com or by calling Lone Star Brahmas Sales Office at 817-336-4423.