Komets Announce Effinger Signing

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FORT WAYNE - The Komets announced Thursday that goaltender Charlie Effinger has been added to the 2012-13 preseason roster.

Effinger (EFF-in-juhr), the Missouri netminder that stopped the Komets in his only regular season meeting last year and forced the Komets to seven games in the CHL semifinals, has agreed to terms with Fort Wayne for 2012-13. 

Effinger, 26, appeared in 51 games with Missouri last season posting 32 wins; tying Fort Wayne's Nick Boucher for most goaltender wins.  Effinger registered a career-best 32-15-4 record to become the winningest goaltender in Missouri's history.  The Belleville, Illinois native finished the regular season campaign with a top-10 2.70 goals-against average and ranked second with a .923 save percentage.  Effinger finished the playoffs with a 7-4 record, 2.50 goals-against average and led CHL goaltenders with a .932 save percentage appearing in all 11 post-season games with the Mavericks. 

Effinger backstopped the Mavericks to a 3-games-to-2 semifinals lead over Fort Wayne before the Komets rallied to win the series 4-3 and advance to the CHL finals. 

Prior to making his pro debut in 2008 in ECHL stints with Gwinnett and Trenton, Effinger completed four years with Miami University of Ohio in the CCHA where the netminder was named 2005-06 CCHA Goaltender of the Year.  2012-13 will be Effinger's fifth year as a pro.

With nine weeks remaining until training camp and the addition of Effinger, the Komet preseason roster grows to nine players.  The roster includes five forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.  Previously added were Colin Chaulk (C), Brett Smith (C), Eric Giosa (C), Kaleigh Schrock (RW), Brandon Marino (RW), Tyler Butler (D), Kyle Atkins (D) and Daniel Maggio (D).