BURLY D-MAN MASLONKA COMES TO MISSISSIPPI
Slovakian blue-liner brings AHL, ECHL, IHL experience to Mid-South

SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Mississippi RiverKings of the Central Hockey League today (August 13th, 2010) announced the signing of defenseman Milan Maslonka (pronounced MIGH-lun maz-LONG-kah) to the team’s roster for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.  The native of Zvolen, Slovakia becomes the 12th overall signing announcement by the RiverKings and the third defenseman announcement made in the off-season. 

Known as a physical force on the ice, the 6-foot-6, 240 pound blue-liner enters his third season in the Central Hockey League.  Maslonka also brings experience in other levels of North American professional hockey, including stints in the American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, United Hockey League, and part of last season with Dayton when they were in the International Hockey League (IHL).

RiverKings’ Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin “Killer” Kaminski, who coached Maslonka for two seasons in the CHL in Youngstown, says fans will like his tough-guy mentality.   “Milan ‘The Smokestack’ will be a big presence on the ice,” said Kaminski.  “He has great size, a good stick, will block any shot possible and will be there for his teammates.  Milan has a great shot, which he needs to use more, and will bring a good work ethic, character, and a lot of heart.”

With Dayton in the IHL last year, Maslonka played five games before returning to his home in Slovakia to finish his season.  He scored one goal and had 14 penalty minutes in those five games with Dayton, adding two assists and 39 penalty minutes in Slovakia with HKM Zvolen, as well as two playoff appearances.   

In the 2008-09 campaign, Maslonka split time between Stockton and the Dayton Bombers in the ECHL.  He also appeared in three games in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons.  Milan finished that season with two assists and 95 penalty minutes in a total of 54 games between the three teams. 

Maslonka’s biggest statistical impact came in the 2007-08 season under Kaminski, when the pair was in Youngstown.  That year, Milan totaled three goals, seven points, and had 298 penalty minutes in 56 games, also appearing in two playoff contests. 

Maslonka finished fourth in the CHL for penalty minutes, as the SteelHounds took second place in the CHL Northeast Division in 2007-08 and reached the Northern Conference playoff quarterfinals. 

Maslonka came to Youngstown in the 2006-07 season after playing in eleven games with the Elmira Jackals of the UHL.  With the SteelHounds, he played in 28 games, scored one goal and added six assists to go with 132 penalty minutes.  Milan appeared in six playoff games for the SteelHounds that season, being tagged for 18 PIMS, while failing to score. 

Milan says he looks forward to playing for the RiverKings and to his reunion with Kaminski.  I like “Killer” as a coach and a person and I look forward to playing for him again,” Maslonka noted.  “I’m pretty sure I’m going to help him and help the team.  I like hard checks and like to fight; I just try to play hard and do my best and I want to help the team and I do better every day.”