Brahmas sign Adam Avramenko

Former Niagara University goalie to back up Guggenberger

The Texas Brahmas announced today that they have signed former Niagara University Purple Eagles goalie Adam Avramenko. Other goalie-related transactions include Ron Vogel and Steve Silverthorn placed on waivers and and Mark Guggenberger activated from injured reserve.

The moves follow the departure of Silverthorn, who has returned to Germany, where he will play for the Dresden Ice Lions for the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

Avramenko, 25, is a former teammate of current Texas Brahmas Jim Burichin and Chris Moran at Niagara University.

The 6', 2" 210-pound left handed netminder hails from Strathmore, Alberta - just East of Calgary, and began his Junior career with the Woodstock Slammers (MJAHL) in New Brunswick, where he went 28-8-0 during the 2005-06 season. He went 11-3-0-1 during the post-season when the Slammers won the Kent Cup

The following season, Avarenko played for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) and had a 20-21-6 record in 48 games played.

Avarenko played three seasons at Niagara University (2007-10) where he appeared in 32 games with a record of 9-11-6 and two shutouts. He was named to the 2007-08 CHA All-Rookie team. He played his first two seasons as a backup to starter Juliano Pagliero, then was expected to emerge into a starting role during the 2009-10 season, but after a rocky start to the season was relegated to backup duty. He did not return for what would have been his senior season at Niagara.

Instead, last season, Avarenko signed a PTO with the Laredo Bucks and attended their training camp but was released prior to the beginning of the season. He played with the Fayetteville FireAntz (six games) and the Augusta RiverHawks (10 games) in the SPHL as well as the Florida Everblades (three games) in the ECHL.

Avramenko was invited to the Calgary Flames training camp and was (according to the Calgary Sun‘s Randy Sportak) due to join the Abbotsford Heat (AHL) for their training camp on a tryout basis, but got an early summons to Penticton due to an injury to Calgary Flames draftee Laurent Brossoit prior to the Young Stars rookie tournament. He was released by the Flames organization on September 21st.

Avramenko is listed on the Brooklyn Aviators (FHL) roster but has not played a game with the team. According to the Aviators' transactions page, he is listed as "loaned to Texas Brahmas (CHL)."

Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel - AnnArbor.com