Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Capitals Aquire Former Vernon Viper Goaltender Matt Zaba:

The UPC Vienna Capitals have aquired former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Matt Zaba. Zaba played the last two seasons in Italy with Bolzano HC.  Zaba played one season with the Vipers after coming over in a trade with the Penticton Panthers just days before the start of the regular season (2002-03).  Zaba went 34-9 during the regular season picking up two shutouts and a 2.21 GAA before playing four years at Colorado College.   Zaba was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings In round 8, 231 overall at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.  Zaba made his NHL debut on January 23, 2010 with the New York Rangers in a game vs the Montreal Canadiens.

Matt Zaba's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=72659
This is posted on the Capitals website:

Matt Zaba new Goalie for the Capitals

May, 8th 2012

UPC Vienna Capitals have completed their Goalie-tandem for the upcoming season by acquiring the services of 28 years old netminder Matt Zaba (CAN), who will compete for the starting spot with Fabian Weinhandl.

Matt Zaba, an eighth round selection for the Los Angeles Kings, born in Yorkton, SK, Canada, is the new co-number one for the UPC Vienna Capitals. Zaba arrives from Italian Serie A with a championship medal which he acquired in his second season with HC Bolzano. His 95.4 save percentage in the play-offs and a GAA of 1.31 were instrumental for the Foxes title successful challenge. Zaba had played in the NCAA with Colorado College before going through the ranks of the lower leagues in North America. ECHL with Charlotte Checkers and Idaho Steelheads, AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack and one game with the NHLs’ New York Rangers followed before decided it was time to see the world and went on to play with Serie As’ Bolzano.
Here, he was spotted by Bernd Freimueller, who heavily advised Headcoach Thommy Samuelsson about the 6’1” goaltender: “We will see 70 to 80 games next season and need two great goalies. We have those now. Matt is just like Fabian, he wants to go far, and has a great character, too. That was very important for me. You don’t need to know more about Zabas‘ abilities then the figures. 200 goals in 100 games, that’s an average we’d welcome a lot.

Confirmed players for UPC Vienna Capitals für 2012/13

Goal: Matt Zaba, Fabian Weinhandl
Defence: Andre Lakos, Philippe Lakos, Peter Schweda, Sven Klimbacher, Dan Bjornlie, Jamie Fraser, Adrian Veideman
Forwards: Benoit Gratton, Francois Fortier, Rafael Rotter, Philipp Pinter, Zdenek Blatny, Jonathan Ferland, Daniel Woger, Mario Seidl, Mario Fischer, Markus Schlacher, Michael Schiechl

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