PR - Spirit

The Guelph Spirit are approaching the new season with enthusiasm
running high. The offseason saw little change in the Spirit's roster,
with one major exception, but the management was very satisfied with
last year's performance and expects to be even better this year.

Gone is underachieving and expensive Alexei Yashin. The useful Sami
Kapanen was also let go to free agency. But the biggest moves made by
the team were in between the pipes. The Spirit have been struggling
for years to find a reliable goaltender and have been saddled with
Patrick Lalime for most of that time (there was the memorable 30 games
or so when he was traded for Martin Brodeur before both teams took
back the deal) and Mika Noronen as the backup. This year, Lalime was
let go in free agency and the team opened its wallet with only one
goal - finding a decent starting goaltender. Offers were put out to
several players and one accepted the challege. Thirty-seven year old
Tommy Salo inked a three year deal to join the club.

"I'm really thrilled to be here," said Salo. "I feel I can still
compete in this league and have a lot left to prove. I feel great and
can't wait to get going." Coach Kilrea has made it clear that Salo
will be the starter, but doesn't want to exhaust him. "He's a riper
player out there, probably needs a few days off now and then, but we
think he's our guy, so long as he stays healthy."

To address that concern, GM Goodlet swung a deal with the Misconducts,
dealing last year's free agent pickup, Richard Matvichuk, along with
aging prospect Vladimir Orszagh and backup goalie Mika Noronen in
exchange for tough as nails defenceman Aaron Rome, goaltender Marty
Turco and a prospect. "I was very happy to pull of this deal,"
explained Goodlet. "With Salo's age and the uncertainty we've had in
nets these last few years, it feels really good to have Marty here to
help out when needed. Plus, we feel he can really push Tommy to play
better. These two should help us out until David (Leneveu) has
developed enough to run the team."

With the addition of Rome, the Spirit now have some pretty nasty
players, including Dion Phaneuf, Thomas Vanek and Boyd Gordon.
Youngsters Valterri Filpulla and Bryan Little will also be given time
to show they can contribute.

The preseason, if any indication of the regular season, means other
teams should look out. The Spirit walloped the Young Guns 5-0 with
goals from five different players and a shutout earned by Salo. The
excitement in Guelph continues to build!