For Immediate Release:
September 1, 2017
ROANOKE BRINGS BACK DE MELO, ADDS ROOKIE FORWARD
Mathias Tellstrom joins fan-favorite goaltender on training camp roster.
ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs announced on Friday that goaltender Ryan de Melo has signed an agreement to return to the Rail Yard Dawgs for training camp in October. Rookie forward Mathias Tellstrom has also been signed to a tryout agreement for his first professional training camp.
A 26-year-old native of Brampton, Ontario, de Melo returns to the Rail Yard Dawgs after serving as the primary goaltender in 2016-17. He appeared in 28 games and went 9-13-3 with a 3.29 GAA and .911 save percentage in what was his third professional season. De Melo was named the SPHL’s Player of the Week for the week of January 30-February 5 after going 2-0-0 and making 98 saves on 103 shots faced in two games, including 61 saves in a 3-2 win over the Pensacola Ice Flyers on February 4. The 61 saves were a career-high for de Melo and the fourth-most from a single game in SPHL history. He also recorded the first shutout in Rail Yard Dawgs history with 37 stops in a 2-0 win over the Macon Mayhem on February 11.
“Melo will always do everything possible to give his team a chance to win,” Rail Yard Dawgs Head Coach Sam Ftorek said. “He did a great job for us last year and I’m sure our fans will be excited to have him back.”
The Swedish-born Tellstrom has spent the last two years playing for the Metro Jets of the NA3HL. He appeared in 47 games for the Jets in 2016-17 and totaled 24 goals, 53 assists and a whopping plus-75 plus/minus rating. During his two seasons in the NA3HL, Tellstrom racked up 53 goals and 99 assists in 88 games. The 20-year-old winger will attempt to make his first professorial team.
“Tellstrom is a big body who has proven he can produce at the junior level,” Ftorek said. “We’re looking forward to seeing him compete in camp.”
The Rail Yard Dawgs will open training camp in early October and begin the 2017-18 season at home against the Fayetteville Marksmen on October 20.
2017-18 ticket packages are available now! Don’t miss out on your chance at eight giveaway items this year. Contact the Rail Yard Dawgs office at (540) 344-3294 for more information!
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