February 5, 2009
Wayne, NJ - After being hit by the flu, then the injury bug, the Jersey Hitmen have made two big moves prior to the EJHL trade deadline. On Wednesday, the Hitmen acquired two time EJHL all-star, Robert Etts, from the New England Falcons, then came back on Thursday and added recently named #3 star from the 2009 EJHL all-star game, Nick Grasso, from the Apple Core. Both Etts and Grasso come highly regarded and hail from nearby Smithtown, NY.
Etts, a big, right shot powerplay defenseman comes to the Hitmen after spending two seasons with the NE Jr Falcons. Last year Etts put up 25 points in his rookie EJHL campaign, and this season has already notched 12 points, despite missing 2 1/2 months to a broken wrist.
Grasso returns to the Hitmen, after playing forward for the team in the 06-07 campaign, has shifted his position to defense. Currently sitting 6th in EJHL scoring with a 3-22-25 line, Grasso will be called on in many different situations.
"We made these two moves to solidify our D core," commented coach Harris. "We had been skating only 6 defenseman over the past 5 weeks and I think it caught up to us, and reared its ugly head this weekend with the Jamison injury, and Jones sickness. I am very excited to be able to add two players of this quality this late in the season, and know that these additions will pay dividends down the road."
Both Etts and Grasso will be in the line up this weekend as the Hitmen hit the road again to take on the Bridgewater Bandits (Friday 8:30pm @ New England Sports Center) and a two game set versus the Boston Jr Shamrocks (Saturday 7pm and Sunday 8am @ Cronin Memorial Arena).