Arizona Completes Two Trades with Missouri
Gurtler and Kaunisto Join Sundogs Roster
PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ – The Arizona Sundogs announced today that the team has completed a pair of trades with the Missouri Mavericks. Arizona is sending goaltender Levente Szuper to the Mavericks in exchange for defenseman Steve Kaunisto and future considerations. Forward Patrick Schafer heads to Missouri for forward Mike Gurtler.
Kaunisto, 25, is currently in his third pro season and joins the Sundogs after skating for Missouri and the Allen Americans this year also. The 6-foot, 200-pound blueliner currently has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 23 games played. Last year as a rookie, Kaunisto (kaw-NEE-stoh) appeared in 62 games for the Wichita Thunder with a +10 rating and tallied 20 points on five goals and 15 assists. The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native played four seasons at Lake Superior State University before turning pro.
Gurtler, 24, has only appeared in 16 pro games split over two seasons. In nine appearances for the Mavericks this year the 6-foot-2, 196-pound forward has recorded a goal and an assist. Gurtler (GURT-ler) also played in seven games last season for the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors. The Rochester, New York native completed a four-year career at Mercyhurst College in 2011.
In his second season with the Sundogs, Schafer (SHAY-fer) appeared in 19 games, scoring two goals and three assists with a -3 rating. Szuper (leh-VEN-tay ZOO-per) was 2-6-4 this season for the Sundogs with a 3.17 GAA and a .918 SV% in 15 appearances.
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