August 27, 2009

Pokulok Signs with Bakersfield

Photo by Mic Smith/The Post and Courier
Photo by Mic Smith/The Post and Courier

BAKERSFIELD Calif. -- The Bakersfield Condors, official ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, have signed former Cornell defenseman Sasha Pokulok. The announcement was made by Condors Head Coach Marty Raymond.

A first round draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 2005, Pokulok comes to Condorstown having split his first three professional seasons between the American Hockey League and ECHL. Last season, the 6-foot 5-inch, 230-lb defender hoisted the Kelly Cup with the South Carolina Stingrays, and contributed four assists in 11 playoff contests. He notched 2g-9a-11pts and 37 penalty minutes in 23 regular season games for the Stingrays, and also suited up for the Hershey Bears in the AHL.

"I had a good talk with Coach Raymond," said Pokulok. "He told me about Bakersfield, and I felt it was the right fit. I don't know too much about the Condors, having played in South Carolina the past three years, but I played with [recent Condors signings] Stephane Goulet and Mathieu Aubin when we were younger."

Through his first three pro seasons, Pokulok has skated in more AHL games than ECHL games, appearing in 53 games with the Hershey Bears of the AHL throughout three seasons, from 2006-09. The Vaud-Dorion, Quebec, native will become the highest NHL draftee ever to skate for the Condors, taken 14th overall.

Prior to turning pro, Pokulok won a Gold Medal with Canada at the 2006 World Junior Championship in Vancouver, and had two standout seasons with Cornell University. As a rookie at Cornell, Pokulok led the Big Red to the top defense in Division I hockey in 2004-05. His efforts helped the team to a 1.88 goals-against average and earned him a spot on the ECAC All-Rookie Team. The following season, Pokulok and the stingy Cornell defense had a 2.20 goals-against average, ranked fourth-best in the country.

"Sasha brings a lot of American Hockey League experience," said Raymond. "He sees the ice well, is responsible defensively and effective offensively. Sasha is a young man who brings leadership, having been to the Kelly Cup Finals last season with South Carolina."