Checkers Sign Stortini, Schilkey and Ouellette to AHL Contracts

Author: Nicholas Niedzielski Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Director of Communications Nicholas Niedzielski joined the Checkers in the summer of 2014. A Texas native, he previously worked for the AHL's Texas Stars.

The Checkers have added some depth to their roster, signing forwards Zack Stortini and Nick Schilkey and goalie Martin Ouellette to one-way AHL contracts.Stortini, 31, is heading into his 13th pro season having amassed 108 points (54g, 54a) in 556 AHL games with Toronto, Iowa, Milwaukee, Hamilton, Springfield, Oklahoma City, Norfolk, Lehigh Valley, Binghamton and San Jose. An established tough presence in the league, the veteran center has racked up a staggering 1,705 penalty minutes during his tenure, including a career-high and league-leading 299 in 2013-14. Last season, which he spent split between Binghamton and San Jose, Stortini was one of five players in the AHL to receive at least 10 major penalties.An Ontario native, Stortini was selected in the third round of the 2003 draft by Edmonton and has logged time in the NHL, recording 41 points (14g, 27a) and 725 penalty minutes in 257 games with the Oilers and Predators. Over the last four seasons in the AHL, he served as captain of the Senators twice and an alternate captain with Norfolk.Schilkey, who was invited to and participated in Carolina’s Development Camp last week, recently completed his collegiate career at Ohio State University, where he totaled 130 points (69g, 61a) in 141 games. As a senior, the five-foot-10 forward led the Buckeyes and ranked third in the nation with 27 goals in 35 games and matched his career high with 41 points. A two-time team captain, Schilkey earned Big-10 Second All-Star Team honors as a junior and senior, as well as being named to the conference All-Rookie Team during his freshman campaign.Prior to heading to college, Schilkey spent two seasons in the USHL with Green Bay, totaling 107 points (48g, 59a) in 118 games and helping lead the Gamblers to a Clark Cup in 2014.Oullette comes to town with three pro seasons under his belt. The 25-year-old netminder has appeared in 21 AHL games during his career, all with Lehigh Valley, and has gone 11-5-0 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. The bulk of Oullette’s career, however, has come in the ECHL with the Reading Royals, where the Quebec native has put up a 49-33-7 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.Selected in the seventh round of the 2010 draft by Columbus, the six-foot-two Ouellette starred for four years at the University of Maine before turning pro.