RIVER DRAGONS ANNOUNCE OPENING NIGHT ROSTER

COLUMBUS, GA - The Columbus River Dragons announced the team’s starting 2023-24 roster ahead of tonight’s season opener in Baton Rouge, LA against the Zydeco.

This season, Federal Prospects Hockey League teams were allowed to keep only 19 players, six of which must be considered rookies under league rules. The River Dragons were faced with many difficult decisions in the off-season, but ultimately have rostered a squad they believe will once again be right at the top when it comes to competing for the Commissioner’s Cup.

Led by returning captain Josh Pietrantonio, the River Dragons feature 12 players who appeared with the team last year. The team also made a big splash in the summer by signing Justin MacDonald and Carter Shinkaruk to the club as well. MacDonald has won three championships and been voted a league MVP three times in his career. Shinkaruk has been previously named to the FPHL’s Forwards of the Year list, and led the league in both assists (24) and points (32) in the COVID-19-shortened season of 2020-21.

Here is a complete list of this year’s team:

1     Breandan Colgan    Goaltender

4     Alex Storjohann        Forward

7     Justin MacDonald    Forward

9     Josh Pietrantonio     Forward    Captain

10   Cody Wickline          Forward

11    Kirk Underwood       Defense

15    Kyle Moore              Forward

17    Austin Daae            Forward    Assistant Captain

18    Nathan Balkwill     Defense

20    Ryan Gil                  Defense

21    Sequoia Swan        Forward

22    Jay Croop         Forward    Assistant Captain

31    Travis Roy         Goaltender

44    Carson Andreoli     Forward

47    Nolan Slachetka     Defense

71    Alexander Jmaeff   Forward

88    Ryan Hunter           Forward

89    Lane King               Defense

91    Carter Shinkaruk   Forward/Defense

The River Dragons begin the quest for the Commissioner’s Cup tonight at 8:30 pm ET in Baton Rouge against the expansion Zydeco. The River Dragons will also play the Zydeco Friday night at 8:30 and Saturday at 8 pm ET. The AirForce Heating and Air pregame show kicks off a half-hour before puck drop on flagship station 106.9 Really Rocks and on the River Dragons YouTube channel, @ColumbusRiverDragons.