Off to a rough start, the Grads look to strengthen their roster with the addition of goaltender Joseph Giacobbo, forward Mike McPherson, and defensemen Jake Meikle, while sending goaltender Brennan Kitchen out.
The Grads started their moves over the past week by sending goaltender Brennan Kitchen (8GP – 1W – 5L – .896 SV% – 3.83 GAA) to the MJHL’s Dauphin Kings in exchange for a PDF (Player Development Fee). To fill this spot, the Grads then went and acquired Philadelphia native Joseph Giacobbo from NAHL Amarillo Bulls for a PDF. Giacobbo tore up the EHL last season, playing 22 games for the Philadelphia Little Flyers, posting a 1.26 GAA and .941 SV%. Giacobbo won his first game as a Grad on October 8, 2017, a 6-5 overtime win against the Kanata Lasers.
In an attempt to increase the team’s scoring, Mike McPherson was acquired for a PDF, also from Amarillo. McPherson led the EHL in goal scoring last season with 35 goals in 48 games. McPherson went pointless in his first game as a Grad, but scored twice (including the game winner) and added two assists in his second game, a 6-5 OT victory on October 8.
Last but not least, the Grads acquired d-man Jake Meikle from Carleton Place to help replenish an already severely injured d-core. With injuries to Zach Salloum, Tristan Francis, Ethan Osburn, and Simon Besner, the addition of Meikle will provide a much needed boost to the d-core.
