islesinfo:
Generals sign
defenseman Nick Tuzzolino
Aug. 29, 2007
FLINT, MI - The Flint
Generals of the new International Hockey League added
more size to their defense corps today with the signing
of Nick Tuzzolino.
Tuzzolino, a 6-5
225-pound native of Buffalo New York, turned
professional near the end of last season and played six
games with the Fort Wayne Komets of the United Hockey
League and had no points and 13 penalty minutes.
"We are very
excited to have Nick join our roster," said Head
Coach Kevin Kerr. "He is a big mobile defenseman
with tons of offensive potential. We had his brother
(Tony) play for us last year so he comes from a really
good pedigree.
"Nick played a
few games at the professional level last season in Ft.
Wayne so he has a taste of it and knows what it takes to
be successful at this level and has the potential to
move on higher."
Tuzzolino played four
seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sarnia
Sting and the Sudbury Wolves. In 168 career games, he
had 13 goals and 57 assists for 70 points and 338
penalty minutes. Tuzzolino has also played in 14 OHL
playoff games and had three assists and 30 penalty
minutes.
Tuzzolino was selected
in the Seventh Round 196 overall by the New York
Islanders in the 2005 NHL Draft.
2006-07 Update: April
1, 2007: Nick Tuzzolino went 1-3-4 in 9 games played with the Sarnia Sting during the month of
March. Two of his assists came on the power play.
Tuzzolino finished the regular season on a 3 game point
scoring streak in which he went 1-2-3. He recorded his
first goal of the season in Sarnia's last game of the
season, a 5-4 shootout win at the Sault Ste. Marie
Greyhounds on Mar. 17th. Sarnia went 4-3-2 in March and
they went 15-14-5 since Tuzzolino returned to the OHL. Playoffs:
Sarnia faced the Kitchener Rangers in the first round of
the OHL playoffs, best of seven series. Kitchener went
on to sweep the series 4 games to 0. In the series,
Tuzzolino went scoreless and recorded 8 PIM's.
March
1, 2007: Nick Tuzzolino recorded 2 assists in 10
games played with the Sarnia Sting during the month of
February. He recorded an assist in a 6-5 overtime loss
at the London Knights on Feb. 2nd. His other assist came
on the power play in a 5-2 win at the Ottawa 67's on
Feb. 11th. Tuzzolino recorded 16 PIM's in February. Sarnia posted a
record of 4-3-3 in February and they are 11-11-3 since
Tuzzolino returned to Sarnia and the OHL.
February 1, 2007: Nick Tuzzolino recorded 3
assists in 13 games played with the Sarnia Sting during
the month of January. Two of his assists came on the
power play. Tuzzolino recorded 30 PIM's in January which
included two fights. On Jan. 1st he fought London's LW
Jordan Shine and on Jan. 18th he fought Kitchener's RW
Brian Soso. Tuzzolino recorded an assist on Jan. 6th in
a 7-5 win at Erie. He then recorded assists on back to
back nights in a 2-1 overtime win at Guelph Jan. 12th
and a 4-3 loss vs. Saginaw on Jan. 13th. Sarnia posted a
record of 5-8-0 in January. They won 5 games in a row
from Jan. 4th to 12th, but lost their last 7 games from
Jan. 13th to 27th.
January 1, 2007: Nick Tuzzolino went scoreless in
6 games played with the UHL's Fort Wayne Komets in the
month of December. He was signed by the team on November
30th and made his debut with the team wearing #29 vs.
the Rockford Icehogs on December 2, 2006. In a Dec. 9th
game at the Elmira Jackels, Tuzzolino fought Elmira
forward Frank Littlejohn. Fort Wayne posted a 3-3-0
record with Tuzzolino in their lineup. Prior to Fort
Wayne's Dec. 22nd game, Tuzzolino announced to the
Komets that he would once again leave to re-join the OHL
and his former team, the Sarnia Sting as an overage
player. He played his first game this season with Sarnia
on December 28, 2006. He recorded his first point of the
season, an assist, in a 7-2 win at the Sault Ste. Marie
Greyhounds. Tuzzolino is wearing #33 with Sarnia. The
Sting is his fourth team this year: Dayton, Sudbury,
Fort Wayne and now Sarnia. The Sting are 2-0-0 since
Tuzzolino re-joined them.
December 1, 2006: Nicholas Tuzzolino played in only
3 of the Sudbury Wolves' 11 games during the month of
November. Upon returning to the Wolves on October 28th,
Tuzzolino wore #7 for his first two games this season,
but then switched to #4. He has not recorded a point in
only 4 appearances this season, along with 12 PIM's.
Tuzzolino was scratched for 8 games during the month of
November. He played on 11/3 vs. Erie, 11/5 vs. Brampton,
and 11/12 at Toronto. Sudbury went 1-1-1 in those three
games. They posted a record of 4-4-3 in November with
Tuzzolino in the lineup. On November 30th it was
announced that Tuzzolino was leaving the Wolves once
again to play for the Fort Wayne Komets of the UHL.
November 1, 2006: Nicholas Tuzzolino attempted to turn
pro with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL but was cut
mid-October. He scored a preseason goal for Dayton,
helping the Bombers to a 4-3 shootout win over the
Youngstown Steelhounds of the Central Hockey League on
October 14th. Tuzzolino wore #10 for the Bombers in
their camp. He
did not make the regular season squad. In late October
he returned to the OHL's Sudbury Wolves. In his season
debut, the Wolves won 7-4 at the Brampton Battalion on
October 28th. Tuzzolino wears #7 for the Wolves. Before
trying out for Dayton, Tuzzolino was in Sudbury's camp
and scored a goal in a preseason game on September 7th
in a 6-3 loss vs. the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Isles’ draftee
has soft spot for Sabres
by Tim Graham, buffalonews.com, Apr. 12, 2007
Playoff fever has
reached such epidemic proportions a New York Islander is
rooting for the Buffalo Sabres to win the Stanley Cup.
The Sabres will begin
their quest for glory when they open their Eastern
Conference quarterfinal series with the Islanders
tonight in HSBC Arena.
East Amherst native Nick
Tuzzolino will be rooting hard for the Sabres,
clearly unmoved by the fact the Islanders made him a
seventh-round draft pick in 2005. The 6-foot-6,
220-pound defenseman has attended two Islanders training
camps.
“I’ve never seen
Buffalo react the way it has over hockey, and Buffalo is
always the team I want to win,” Tuzzolino said.
Beg your pardon?
Buffalo always is the team?
“It’s always the
team I want to win, always,” said Tuzzolino, who’s
in the Islanders system but will become an unrestricted
free agent if they don’t sign him by June 1. “If
I’m ever there [with the Islanders], I’m sure my
emotions would change, but from a fan standpoint, I was
born and raised here. I’ve got to go for Buffalo.”
Tuzzolino played for
the team now known as the Buffalo Junior Sabres and
attended Williamsville East for three years before
spending his senior season in the United States Hockey
League with the Lincoln [Neb.] Stars.
The 21-year-old just
finished his third OHL season. He’s the little brother
of Tony Tuzzolino, who played nine NHL games for the
Anaheim Mighty Ducks, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins
and skated for Italy in the 2006 Olympics.
Nick Tuzzolino
admitted to being “very star struck” when he pulled
on an Islanders sweater at training camp and skated
under former Sabres coach Ted Nolan’s watchful eye.
“I remember the
[1997] Buffalo-Ottawa series [Nolan’s postseason
coaching debut] and going crazy when Derek Plante went
top glove on Ron Tugnutt to win the game,” Tuzzolino
said. “I remember it like it was yesterday. So playing
for him would be a blessing.”
But until then,
Tuzzolino’s heart will pine for the Sabres to win a
Cup.
“I don’t think
Buffalo has a seen a crowd like what they’re going to
see this year in the playoffs,” Tuzzolino said.
“It’s going to be intense.”
New Sting
by Jim Parker, Windsor Star, Dec. 29, 2006
The Sarnia Sting have
added overage defenceman Nick Tuzzolino to the
roster.
Tuzzolino was traded
by the Sting to Sudbury before last year’s trade
deadline. By league rules, he shouldn’t be able to
rejoin the Sting for 13 months after the deal. However,
because he was waived through the league, the OHL
allowed him to rejoin the Sting.
The six-foot-six,
215-pound Tuzzolino was playing with Fort Wayne of the
United Hockey League.
Sting Sign
Tuzzolino
Free Agent Defenceman Coming Back To Sarnia
sarniasting.com, Dec. 28, 2006
Sarnia,
ON – Sarnia Sting General Manager Alan Millar
announced today that the hockey club has signed Nick
Tuzzolino.
Tuzzolino who was traded
from Sarnia to the Sudbury Wolves at last season’s
trade deadline, was released off of the Wolves protected
list this week thus allowing the Sting to sign him as a
free agent.
The East Amherst, NY
native has split time this season between the Wolves and
the Fort Wayne Comets of the United Hockey League.
Tuzzolino
is now in Sarnia and will be in the lineup when the
Sting travel to Sault Ste. Marie on Friday to take on
the Greyhounds.
Tuzzolino
returning to the Sting
by Dave Borody, The Sarnia Observer, Dec. 27, 2006
The Sarnia Sting is
expected to have a familiar face in their lineup later
this week when they resume play in the Ontario Hockey
League.
The Observer has learned that defenceman Nick
Tuzzolino will be signed by the Sting as a free
agent.
He will be their third overage player, joining Trevor
Kell and Vince Scott as the others.
Tuzzolino began his OHL career with the Sting two years
ago, but was traded at the deadline last season to the
Sudbury Wolves.
After attending the New York Islanders training camp
this season, Tuzzolino was in Sudbury for only a short
time. He has most recently been playing with Fort Wayne
of the United Hockey League where he had no points in
six games.
Sting general manager Alan Millar is currently in
Toronto scouting a minor hockey tournament. When
contacted, Millar said a deal is currently in the works,
but couldn’t say anything else as there is currently a
trade freeze on in the OHL until later this week.
Millar did say that the only way Sarnia can re-acquire
Tuzzolino is if he becomes a free agent and is not
property of the Wolves.
In that case it would not be considered a trade. Current
OHL rules say once a player is traded, he can’t be
re-acquired for at least 13 months.
Millar also said the Sting has been given permission to
allow Tuzzolino to skate with them at their practices
this week.
Tuzzolino stands six feet, six inches and weighs 215
points. He is from East Amherst, New York.
Blueline Addition
chok.com
Wed Dec 27 2006
- The Sarnia Sting have filled their final overage spot.
Former Sting defenseman Nick Tuzzolino is now
with the team.
Sources say the 6' 6 220 pound New York native has
signed as a free-agent. He was the Sting's 13th round
selection in the 2002 OHL draft.
Tuzzolino, who most recently had been playing with Fort
Wayne in the United Hockey League was traded from Sarnia
to the Sudbury Wolves at last year's trade deadline.
he's expected to suit up in Friday's night's game at
Sault Ste Marie.
Excerpt from
Fortwayne.com
by Justin A. Cohn, Dec. 23, 2006
Defenseman Nick
Tuzzolino, the New York Islanders’ draft pick who
was scoreless in six games with Fort Wayne, informed the
team he was returning to juniors.
“His rights in
juniors were traded (by Sudbury) to Sarnia, and he feels
because he’s an unsigned draft pick, he needs to be in
juniors where he can be seen by scouts on a nightly
basis,” Komets general manager David Franke said.
To fill the void left
by the 6-foot-6 Tuzzolino, the Komets signed 6-foot-7,
250-pound defenseman Brent Henley, believed to be the
biggest player ever to skate for Fort Wayne. Henley, 26,
had been with Pensacola (Fla.) of the ECHL, tallying one
goal, six points and 94 penalty minutes in 16 games. He
was in the lineup Friday.
Tuzzolino added to
Komet roster
komets.com, Dec. 4, 2006
defenseman Nick
Tuzzolino was added to the Komet roster prior to
Saturday night's home game against the Rockford IceHogs.
Tuzzolino made his first appearance with the Komets in
the match recording a +1. Tuzzolino, 20, hails from
Buffalo, New York and is the brother of Flint General
center Tony Tuzzolino. The rookie defenseman was
selected by the New York Islanders in round 7 of the
2005 NHL Entry Draft and appeared in 4 games with
Sudbury of the Ontario Hockey League this season before
signing with the Komets.
Gigantic
opportunity
Islanders’ draftee, 20, brings size to K’s
defense
by Justin A. Cohn, fortwayne.com, Dec. 6, 2006
Nick Tuzzolino
is a formidable 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. And while the Fort
Wayne Komets’ newest defenseman knows how to use that
size on the ice, it’s not as if he’s nasty.
“He’s a laid-back
guy,” said left wing Matt Syroczynski, who rooms with
Tuzzolino. “He’s actually a good cook. He cooked me
dinner last night, some pasta with turkey burger and
vegetables. … He says he wants to be a cook, go
culinary, after his hockey is over.”
In the meantime,
Tuzzolino wants to cook up a successful career in
professional hockey.
He was selected by the
New York Islanders in the seventh round of the 2005 NHL
entry draft, making him the first bona-fide NHL prospect
– not a guy in the twilight of his career – to play
for the Komets since goaltender Tom Lawson parlayed his
championship run in 2003 to a contact with the Colorado
Avalanche.
Tuzzolino, a
20-year-old native of Buffalo, N.Y., hasn’t signed a
contract with the Islanders, and if they don’t come to
an agreement before June 1, he’ll be declared a free
agent.
After spending the
last three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League – he
totaled 12 goals, 60 points and 264 penalty minutes in
130 games with Sarnia and Sudbury – Tuzzolino had the
option to return to juniors for a final season or give
it a go in the pros. After failing to catch on with the
Islanders’ affiliate in the American Hockey League and
in the ECHL this fall, he initially chose to go back to
Sudbury.
But the persistence of
Fort Wayne general manager David Franke, who kept
calling Tuzzolino’s agent, and the advice of the
Islanders, persuaded Tuzzolino to leave Sudbury after
four games this season for a spot in the UHL last week.
“(The Islanders)
would rather see me playing in pro than back in juniors
in the OHL,” Tuzzolino said. “They said, ‘Any type
of pro (league) will make you a more well-rounded player
for the next level and if you have the opportunity, you
should take it.’”
With the Western
Conference-leading Komets, Tuzzolino joins a team that
has three other players, Syroczynski, defenseman Mike
Dombkiewicz and defenseman Kevin Hansen, who hail from
the Buffalo area.
“I think we set a
record for most Buffalonians on the ice,” Hansen said
of Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Rockford, when
Tuzzolino debuted with no points and a plus-1 rating.
“He’s what we need
back there. A guy who’s that big and can skate, throw
the body around, he’s a welcome addition.”
Playing for the Komets
also gives Tuzzolino the opportunity to play against his
brother, Tony, a center with the Flint Generals. (They
aren’t the only brothers in the UHL; Port Huron has
Josh Elzinga and Kalamazoo has Adam Elzinga.)
Tony Tuzzolino, 31,
has appeared in nine NHL games with Anaheim, Boston and
the New York Rangers. In five games with the Generals,
he has two goals, eight points and 14 penalty minutes.
“My brother, he’s
waiting for contract (offers from) over in Europe and
he’s had some NHL offers,” Nick Tuzzolino said.
“Hopefully, he’s still there when I play Flint (on
Jan. 7). I think our parents would really hate it if we
fought, so we might have to.”
Fighting is fine with
Nick Tuzzolino, but it’s not what he’s all about.
“I pretty much say
I’m well rounded,” he said. “I hit when I’ve got
to hit, fight when I’ve got to fight, and hopefully I
chip in on offense, too.”
Ever the laid-back
individual, Tuzzolino doesn’t care how he’s
contributing.
“If I’m
playing,” he said, “I’m happy.”
Tuzzolino works out
for the Fort Wayne Komets
Ice Chips Blog:
Komets
by Justin Cohn
Dec. 2nd: I thought
newly signed defenseman Nick Tuzzolino looked really
sharp. He did cough up the puck once in front of his own
net, but considering they didn't want to play him this
weekend, he looks like a real find.
Dec. 1st: More on Nick
Tuzzolino, the rookie defenseman trying out with the
Komets: He remains unsigned by the New York Islanders
and decided he didn't want to be an overage player in
juniors this season. As for whom this puts on the
hotseat, the Komets aren't saying. Conventional wisdom
suggests its either defenseman Arthur Kiyaga or
defenseman A.J. Bozoian. They seem a little less sure
about Bozoian, who continues to get injured.
Nov. 30th: The
Komets have two rookies in on tryouts -- defenseman Nick
Tuzzolino and forward Michael George -- and the team
plans to sign them both, general manager David Franke
said.
Tuzzolino, 6-foot-5,
225 pounds, was selected in the seventh round of the
2005 NHL Entry Draft. He had been with Sudbury of the
Ontario Hockey League, where he had three goals, 11
points and 41 penalty minutes in 26 games last season.
Sudbury
Showdown
by Scott Haddow, Northernlife.ca (excerpt), Nov. 9,
2006
Sudbury has
encountered an interesting overage situation with the
return of 20-year-old defender Nicholas Tuzzolino.
He joins fellow
defencemen Adam McQuaid and Jonathan D’Aversa and
goalie Kevin Beech as the overage players. Teams can
carry four until the deadline. Tuzzolino provides the
Wolves with many options and Sudbury seems set in
keeping Beech, McQuaid and D’Aversa, no matter what.
“It will take care
of itself,” said Foligno. “We have to make the right
decision. It’s hard to win in this league with young
goaltending...you need experience. We’re fortunate to
have a guy like Kevin. What we need from him, and he’s
well aware of it, is for him to play consistent hockey
and make that first save. If he does that, it’s not
often we give teams extra chances. Tuzzolino has played
well for us. Adam and Jonathan have done a great job for
us since the start. We will keep the phone lines open
for potential trades.”
BIG ADDITION
The Sudbury Wolves have bulked up on the blue-line
windsorstar.com excerpt, Nov. 4, 2006
Defenceman Nick
Tuzzolino, who was acquired in a deal with Sarnia last
season, has joined the club for an overage season.
The six-foot-six,
216-pound Tuzzolino returned after failing in his bid to
latch on in the American Hockey League or East Coast
Hockey League.
Bombers sign
Tuzzolino
team release
10-09-06 - Dayton, OH-
Dayton Bombers Head Coach and General Manager Don
MacAdam announced today that the Bombers have signed
defenseman Nick Tuzzolino. As per club policy,
terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 6'5", 225-pound native of Buffalo, New York,
enters his rookie season in professional hockey.
Tuzzolino spent last season in the Ontario Hockey League
with both the Sarnia Sting and the Sudbury Wolves. After
playing in 37 games, scoring 27 points (7 G, 20 A) and
accumulating 95 penalty minutes for Sarnia, he was
traded to Sudbury in exchange for defenseman Thomas
Sample. Tuzzolino appeared in 26 games for the Wolves,
where he scored 11 points (3 G, 8 A) and had 41 penalty
minutes. Prior to playing in the OHL, he spent one
season in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars, recording 3
points (1 G, 2 A) and 55 penalty minutes in 55 games. He
was selected by the New York Islanders as the 196th pick
overall in round seven of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
2005-06 Update: May 1,
2006 Update: Sudbury went on to defeat Kingston 4
games to 2 in their first round OHL playoff series.
Tuzzolino added another assist in Game 6 for a total of
3 assists in the 6 game series and was a +3. In the
second round, Sudbury took on the Peterborough Petes.
Peterborough swept Sudbury 4 games to 0. In Game 1, a
3-1 Peterborough win, Tuzzolino took 3 minor penalties
and a coincidental. In the series he was held scoreless
and was a -1. In the playoffs Tuzzolino recorded 3
assists and was a +2 in 10 games played. The huge
blueliner showed some talent at both ends of the rink
this season and it may earn him a contract with the
Islanders.
April
1, 2006 Update:
Nicholas Tuzzolino went 1-2-3 in 8 games played for the
Sudbury Wolves during the month of March. All three of
his goals with the Wolves since they acquired him at the
OHL trade deadline in January came on the power play. On
the season, 8 of his 10 goals came on the power play. He
scored a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win at the Oshawa
Generals on March 5th. He was a -8 on the season, but
was even since his acquisition by Sudbury.
Playoffs:
Sudbury faces the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round
of the OHL Playoffs, best of seven series. As of April
1st, Sudbury leads the series 3 games to 2. Tuzzolino
recorded an assist in both game 1 & 2, a loss and a
win. He has 2 assists in 5
games.
Clip from
northernlife.ca article dated Mar. 24, 2006:
Some Wolves will taste
their first combat in the playoffs this year.
Defenceman Nicholas Tuzzolino, acquired at the
deadline from Sarnia, has played two season, but has
never seen the playoffs until now.
“It's an unbelievable
feeling to be here,” said the monstrous six-foot-six
defender. “I heard it's an amazing style of hockey
and I can't wait to play it. The biggest thing for us
is coming together as a team. If we do that, we'll be
alright.”
March
1, 2006 Update:
Nicholas Tuzzolino went 2-1-3 in 10 games played during
the month of February for the Sudbury Wolves. His
offense has dipped a little since arriving in Sudbury
after a January trade. He has been paired up with Marc
Staal on defense and the team is deeper offensively so
Tuzzolino has focused more on his defense. He scored 2
goals including the overtime game winner in a 4-3 win
vs. the Toronto St. Michael's Majors on February 3rd.
Still, he was not named one of the three stars of the
game. Tuzzolino fought Owen Sound defenseman Trevor
Koverko on February 10th. Did not play February 11th vs.
Mississauga and February 12th at Toronto. Sudbury went
4-4-2 in games in which Tuzzolino appeared in February.
Tuzzolino is having a career year offensively(he already
set career highs in goals, assists and points by
December) and could be a candidate to turn pro and sign
with the Islanders this summer.
February 1, 2006
Update: Nicholas Tuzzolino went 2-5-7 in 12 games
played during the month of January. He was traded from
the Sarnia Sting to the Sudbury Wolves at the OHL's
January 10th trading deadline. Both of his goals in
January came with Sarnia before the trade in 4 games
played. Since joining the Wolves he has 5 assists in 8
games played. In his first game with Sudbury on January
13th Tuzzolino recorded an assist in a 5-3 loss to the
London Knights. Sudbury is 5-2-1 since acquiring
Tuzzolino. Sudbury Coach Mike Foligno has Tuzzolino
averaging 25 minutes a night as a top four d-man.
January 1, 2006
Update: Nicholas Tuzzolino recorded 3 goals and 9 points
in 10 games played during the month of December. Eight
of those points (3g, 5a) came in the first 5 games of
the month. Has already surpassed his career highs in
goals and points, and has tied his career high in
assists.
Nicholas
Tuzzolino is considered one of the heavyweights of the
OHL. In his second full season with the Sarnia Sting, he
has added a bit of an offensive side to a normally
defensive stay at home game. He's on pace to surpass his
2004-05 stats before the midway point of the season. He
took part in the Islanders training camp and was
returned to Sarnia on September 20, 2005.
Highlights:
* Nick Tuzzolino recorded back to back 2 assist games on
back to back nights of October 21st & 22nd, 2005
against Jason Pitton and the Sault Ste. Marie
Greyhounds(a 5-4 home win) and Ryan O'Marra's Erie
Otter's(a 6-3 home win). O'Marra also recorded two
assists that night in Erie's loss.
* Recorded a goal and
an assist in a 4-2 road win over the Barrie Colts on
October 29, 2005.
* Named 3rd star with
powerplay goal and an assist in 2-1 win at Peterborough
Petes Dec. 1, 2005.
Nick Tuzzolino
Supports His Brother at Olympics
northernlife.ca -
February 21,
2006
Hey OHL fans, it’s
time for another round of news, stats and interesting
items from around the league.
Monstrous defenceman
Nicholas Tuzzolino has the Olympic vibe running
through his veins as his older brother, Tony, is
playing for Team Italy.(islesinfo.com note: Finally!
Proof that they are in fact brothers).
“I think it’s great
he’s an Olympian,” said Tuzzolino. “He’s
actually done quite a bit in his career. He has two
Calder Cup rings (the American Hockey League
championship) and a few games in the NHL and now the
Olympic experience. It’s pretty amazing. I am sure
he’s having a great time.”
Tony had played in the
AHL for a while, but accepted an offer to play in
Italy the season before the 2004-05 NHL lockout. Tony
has dual citizenship(United States and Italy) and was
allowed to represent Italy in the biggest sporting
event on the planet.
Wolves Defeat
Majors in Overtime
February 3, 2006
SUDBURY, ON - The Majors were defeated 4-3 in overtime
this evening by Sudbury in a game that featured early
power-plays and late dramatics. The Wolves tied up the
game with 10 seconds remaining in
regulation, then won it on Nick Tuzzolino's 2nd
man-advantage goal of the game in the extra session.
The Majors record shifts to 23-18-5-3 with the loss.
Tuzzolino notched the game's 1st goal, 7:32 into
the affair, on the power-play, off of Jonathan
D'Aversa and Kevin Baker feeds. Fresh off of his
all-star game appearance, Justin Donati responded with
man-advantage markers for the Majors at 15:19 of the
1st period and 13:38 of the 2nd. The helpers were
provided by Ryan Wilson (2), Tyler Donati and Cory
Vitarelli.
Wolves' Trade
Acquisitions Make Sudbury Debut
by Scott Haddow - northernlife.ca - January 13,
2006
Just when things
couldn't get any bigger and better for the Sudbury
Wolves, in comes six-foot-six, 216-pound defenceman
Nick Tuzzolino.
At the trade deadline,
Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno continued his
process of bulking up in sheer size and skill by
acquiring the rugged defender from the Sarnia Sting in
an attempt to solidify the defence corps for a tough
stretch run and, hopefully, a long run 2006 playoff
run.
Tuzzolino cost the
Wolves tough-as-nails defenceman Thomas Sample and a
second round 2006 draft pick (previously acquired from
Saginaw).
Foligno expects
Tuzzolino to make a tremendous impact on the club and
on the ice.
“Nick is a quality
defenceman and has experience in this league,” said
Foligno. “He's a big player and is a physical
presence. He also has skill...He's a heads up player
who make good first passes out of the zone. We feel
he's a Top-four defenceman on our team and could play
any role that we have guys like Marc Staal and
Jonathan D'Aversa playing. It was an important move
for us, to strengthen our defence.”
Tuzzolino had seven
goals, 27 points and 95 penalty minutes in 37 games
with the lowly Sting.
The towering blueliner
is expected to be in the line up against the London
Knights tonight.
“Everyone in the
league was looking for defencemen,” said the bench
boss. “We had to give up a good steady player in
Thomas...At the same time, we know what we have this
year and we wanted to make our defence better. Thomas
was well liked and it was tough to trade him.”
The Wolves then further
bolstered their depth by picking up forwards Mark
Versteeg-Lytwyn and the rights to Mathis Olimb from
Sarnia for a 2007 fourth round draft pick.
The Wolves also waived
import Stefan Blaho, who was picked up by the Sting.
Lytwyn is also expected
to contribute right away. Olimb is in Norway and isn't
expected to join the Wolves right away.
“Mark has a lot more
to offer offensively than what his numbers show (five
goals and 15 points in 39 games),” said Foligno.
“He has a big shot. We want him to give us some more
offence. It's a great opportunity for him to show his
talents.
He gives us depth and a
bigger player (five-foot-10 and 190-pounds). He's a
fast skater and we don't have to worry about a weak
spot with him. Our intent was to make us stronger in a
few different areas that compliments our depth.”
Foligno believes the
Wolves are now positioned to gun for a title.
“We've strengthened
our club and raised the awareness level of all the
existing players that we want to be a contender. We
match up well against any team in the league. It's not
so much the size, but the type of players we have
brought in.
We were fortunate they
had size, but they still have to skate, handle the
puck and have the will to pay the price. That's the
players we wanted. Our fans want to see us win...And
cheer us on to the Memorial Cup. With the players
we've added recently, we feel we can give the fans
that opportunity.”
Sting Trade Tuzzolino
To Wolves
Obtain Tomas Sample And A 2nd Round Pick In Return
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - sarniasting.com
Sarnia, ON – Sarnia
Sting General Manager Alan Millar announced this
afternoon that the club has acquired defenceman Tomas
Sample and a 2nd round pick (Saginaw’s) in the 2006
draft from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for defenceman
Nick Tuzzolino.
The acquisition of the pick now gives the Sting three
picks in the 2nd round of this year’s OHL Priority
Selection and five over the next two years.
Sample a native of Barrie, was the Wolves 7th round
choice in the 2003 draft.
Tuzzolino was the Sting’s 13th round choice in the
2002 draft and playing in his graduating year. He's a
1986 birthdate though and could return next season to
the OHL as an overager.
Wolves Acquire
Tuzzolino
January 10, 2006 - sudburywolves.com
The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce the
acquisition of defenseman Nick Tuzzolino from the
Sarnia Sting.
Tuzzolino was the
Sting’s 13th round pick in the OHL Priority Selection
in 2002. The 6’6”, 216 lbs defenseman was a 7th
round pick of the New York Islanders in the 2005 NHL
Entry Draft.
In return, the Sarnia
Sting receive:
Tomas Sample
2nd Round Pick in 2006 (from Saginaw)
Wolves Coach and
General Manager Mike Foligno
is extremely pleased to add a player of Tuzzolino’s
calibre to the Wolves line-up. Tuzzolino was 5th in
scoring on the Sting with 27 points in 37 games. He is a
solid, physical defenseman with a great offensive
upside.
Tuzzolino is expected
to be in the Wolves line-up on Friday when the London
Knights visit Sudbury.
|
Isles
Select D Nicholas Tuzzolino 196th |
| July 30,
2005: The Islanders have selected D Nicholas Tuzzolino with
their first 7th round pick. Tuzzolino is a towering defenseman with
the Sarnia Sting of the OHL who clocks in at an opposing 6'5"
and 225 lbs. The Islanders received this pick as compensation from
the NHL for losing Group III free agent D Alexander Karpovtsev. |
D Nicholas Tuzzolino
Born: January 19, 1986, East Amherst, NY
2004-05: Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Central Scouting: 131st among North Americans
Was a 13th round pick of Sarnia's, 249th overall, in the
2002 OHL Priority Draft....Wears #29 for the Sting....Was named Sarnia's
rookie of the year for 2004-05 season....Tuzzolino is an American born
player who decided to play major junior hockey in Canada, as opposed to
the Islanders earlier draft selections of Shea Guthrie and Tyrell Mason
who are Canadian born players who will be attending an American College....Education
Status: Erie Community College, Lambton College.
Cool:
Tuzzolino
Audio Hockey Card - 56 sec. Mp3 Audio clip (1.73 Mb)
Islanders Scouts: Islanders’
Amateur Scout Doug Gibson: "Nick showed a lot of improvement this
season in Sarnia. Of course, we love his great size but he's also a
skilled puck-mover. Nick will definitely take some time to development,
but we believe he has a chance."
- The Buffalo Junior Sabres congratulate
alumnus Nick Tuzzolino (Buffalo Lightning 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons),
who was selected by the New York Islanders in the 7th Round of the
National Hockey League Draft, held July 30th, 2005 in Ottawa. Tuzzolino
was a playoff hero for this franchise in 2003, when his overtime goal
completed a six-game first-round playoff upset of Hamilton. Tuzzolino, now
with the OHL's Sarnia Sting, is the third alumnus in as many years to be
selected by an NHL franchise at its entry draft. Ryan Callahan (Lightning
2001-02) was selected by the New York Rangers in the 2004 Entry Draft,
while Lee Stempniak (Lightning 2000-2001) was chosen by the St. Louis
Blues in 2003.
Tuzzolino Among Western New York's
Top Prospects
from BuffaloNews.com
Tuzzolino, of East Amherst, is the
area's best defensive prospect in this year's draft. NHL Central Scouting
rates the 6-5, 225-pound Buffalo Lightning (now the Junior Sabres) alum
131st among North American skaters, while the independent International
Scouting Services has him 132nd among all skaters.
EHK Sports Alums News
Nick Tuzzolino
- Lincoln (USHL) - a 6-5 230 pound defenseman who can hold the blueline
like no other. Tuzzolino is as imposing as they come, which is good
because he can hit like a freight train. Tuzzolino is a stay at home
D-man who can make a tape to tape pass look easy. Tuzzolino isn't
committed to any college yet, but rest assured he will. Nick played for
EHK Sports at the Prospects Tournament in Toronto.
|
