Release from 07.07.2017

Medvescak adds two, Bolzano extends with Oleksuk

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KHL Medvescak Zagreb locker room is starting to get bigger as former Czech national team player Tomas Kudelka and Mike Aviani, a player with Croatian passport, join the Bears. In addition, HC Bolzano signed a contract extension with 28-year-old Canadian Travis Oleksuk.

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Mike Aviani is a 24-year-old center born in New Westminster who will be interesting to the fans because of his Croatian descent and Croatian passport. Aviani's father Emilijo moved to Canada when he was a child and raised his family there. Most of his junior career Aviani spent playing in Western Hockey League for Spokane Chiefs. He racked up 89 goals and 118 assists in 273 games played during his four-year period with the Chiefs. In the last three years Aviani played in the AHL and ECHL. He changed four teams in the AHL playing 22 games and in the ECHL Aviani played 99 games scoring and assisting 59 times. „Mike is a Croatian heritage center who split his season in the AHL and ECHL.  He will give us a strong two way game and should play in all situations. We are looking forward to him coming in and contributing immediately“, Medvescak Sports Director Aaron Fox said.
 
The Bears also added Tomas Kudelka to their team for next season. Defender born in Zlin played 11 times for Czech national team. This bad boy played for Zlin with whom he won Czech league in 2004. In his home country Kudelka also played for Pardubice, Vitkovice and Pirati Chomutov from where he joins Medvescak. „Kudelka is a veteran two way defenseman who who has been playing in top European leagues such as Czech extraliga, SM liga, and also has national team experience. We think he will be a great asset to our defenseman and be able to log big minutes and we will count on him to play against other teams top players“, concluded Sports Director Fox.
 
Oleksuk stays with Bolzano
HC Bolzano extended the contract of Travis Oleksuk for another season. Last year the 28-year-old forward came to Europe for the first time and gained 41 points (17G, 24A) in 60 Erste Bank Eishockey Liga games. Beside his offensive qualities, he is held in great esteem by fans and club responsibles for his team effort. "It was tough to lose the semis last season. Now I want to go to the finals and claim the title", says Oleksuk.