Cottonmouths Make Roster Changes

Columbus, GA - As the Columbus Cottonmouths prepare for their season opener this Friday, head coach Jerome Bechard made some moves over the weekend in finalizing the Snakes 2009-10 roster.  Released from training camp Sunday were forwards Jacob Cline, Josh Coyle and Brandon Heck. This made room for enforcer Dan Leslie, who has returned to the Snakes for his third season.

Leslie started the 2009-10 season in training camp with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL.  He was released from their camp last week and re-joined the Snakes on Sunday. Leslie came to Columbus as a rookie in 2007 and over the last two seasons, has led the league in both penalty minutes and major penalties. In 107 total games with the Snakes, Leslie has compiled 452 penalty minutes and 60 fighting majors.

The Snakes faced the Huntsville Havoc in a pair of exhibition games last weekend. Columbus defeated Huntsville 5-2 at the Snake Pit Friday, and fell 4-3 in Huntsville on Saturday. The Snakes roster is currently at 20, and must be shortened to 18 players by Friday. Among those vying for a spot are ten forwards: Tim Green, Orrin Hergott, Craig Stahl, Ryan McCarthy, Dan Leslie, Jeff Martens, Jesse Cole, Levi Lind, Joey Martini and Nicolas Boucher, seven defensemen: Andrew Dwyer, Kyle Lundale, Will Barlow, Jason Slusher, Tyler Johnson, Tim Hockley, and Kevin Kozlowski, and three goaltenders: Steve Bounds, Chad Rycroft and Ian Vigier. 

The Cottonmouths open the regular season at home this weekend with a pair of games against the Fayetteville FireAntz, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24. The first 2500 fans on Friday receive a magnetic schedule, courtesy of TIC Federal Credit Union and Fox 54. Saturday is Arthritis Foundation Night. The Snakes will be participating in the Arthritis Walk Sunday, Oct. 25. Anyone interested in joining the Snakes team can visit http://www.arthritiswalkcolumbus.org.