(Rochester, NY) – Rochester Americans General Manager Randy Sexton announced today that the team has signed defensemen Arvin Atwal and Eric Knodel to Professional Tryouts. In a corresponding move, the Amerks have reassigned defenseman Brycen Martin and forward Vaclav Karabacek to the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL).
A native of Delta, British Columbia, the 21-year-old Atwal appeared in 11 games with the Cyclones to begin the 2017-18 season, notching four points (1+3). Last season during his rookie campaign with Cincinnati, the 6-foot-0, 200-pound blueliner posted 21 points (3+18) in 39 games.
Prior to turning pro, Atwal played five seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Vancouver Giants, recording 108 points (25+83) in 225 career WHL games. He set career-highs in goals (11), assists (39) and points (50) during his final season with the Hurricanes.
Knodel, 27, has appeared in 11 games to begin the season with Cincinnati, recording 12 points (5+7), which leads all Cyclones blueliners and is tied for second in the ECHL amongst defensemen. Last season, Knodel led all Cincinnati defensemen with a career-high eight goals and 28 points in 58 games while earning a selection to the 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic.
A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, the five-year pro makes his third stop in the AHL after posting 10 assists in 33 games between the Toronto Marlies and San Diego Gulls from 2013 to 2016. He’s also amassed 81 points (25+56) over 163 career ECHL appearances between Cincinnati, Utah and Orlando.
Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound blueliner spent four seasons at the University of New Hampshire (H-East). In 116 games for the Wildcats, he accounted for 20 goals and 41 assists for 61 total points, including a career-high 28 (7+21) points during his senior year when he served as team captain.
Knodel was originally drafted by the Toronto Maples Leafs in the fifth-round (128th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Martin and Karabacek each made their season debuts in Rochester’s 3-0 shutout win over Binghamton on Nov. 15.
