Mavericks Bolster Forward Corps With Pair of Signings

Rocco Carzo Returns for Second Stint With Mavs; Dane Fox Comes to Missouri for Third Pro Season

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Missouri Mavericks announced today that they have agreed to terms with forwards Rocco Carzo and Dane Fox on standard player contracts for the 2016-17 season.

“Rocco and Dane are two important signings for us and I’m excited about the offensive ability they bring to the club. Rocco is a big part of the leadership group here, knows how we want to do things and plays the right way – team first.

“Dane is a player that can play in all situations and he sticks up for his teammates, which is important when trying to bring a group of guys together. But Dane is a proven goal scorer in this league and that is what’s expected of him,” said Mavericks head coach John-Scott Dickson.

Carzo, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward, led the Mavericks with 41 assists during the club-record 52-win campaign last season and was third on the team with 56 points over 69 games. The 26-year-old forward from Media, Pa. recorded a career-high eight-game assist streak (9a) from March 16 to March 30, 2016.

Over Carzo’s first three professional seasons he has compiled 147 points (51g, 96a) over 201 ECHL games between Missouri, Ontario and Florida. He has also recorded an assist in eight American Hockey League contests.

“It was a no-brainer to re-sign with the Mavericks. From being a first-class organization to the unbelievable support from the fans and the community, I’m extremely excited to be back.

“They are putting together a highly skilled and competitive team, and I’m excited to get back to the playoffs and battle for that Kelly Cup,” said Carzo.

Fox, 22, finished tied for fifth in the ECHL last season with 26 goals. That followed a 30-goal rookie campaign in 2014-15, and with 56 goals over the last two years, Fox has scored the ninth most goals in the ECHL in that span. Along with his 56 goals, Fox has chipped in 39 assists and racked up 197 penalty minutes in two ECHL seasons. He also has one assist in two AHL games.

“I’m excited to come to the Mavericks and play for Coach Dickson because they are always competitive and focused on winning. It’s a great place for me to grow as a person and player, and to help me reach the next level,” said Fox.

Prior to turning professional Fox played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League between the London Knights and Erie Otters. The Chatham, Ontario native produced 227 points (118g, 109a) over 243 OHL games. That included a 107-point (64g, 43a) season in 2013-14 that saw him lead the OHL in goals and finish second in points. Fox’s efforts that season led to him signing a free agent contract with the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks.

Rocco Carzo Player Profile

Dane Fox Player Profile

Carzo and Fox join Darren Nowick, Kevin Tansey, Yuri Terao, Andrew Courtney, Bryce Aneloski and Dan Correale on the Mavericks’ preseason roster.

About the Missouri Mavericks: The Mavericks are members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL—the Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League in North America. Founded in 2009, the Mavericks are entering their eighth season in team history at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. The Mavericks are the defending Brabham Cup winners after posting a league-leading record of 52-15-5 during the 2015-16 ECHL season, and have been honored with multiple community and league awards including the Harry S. Truman Special Community Service Recognition Award, the Bud Poile Governors’ Cup (CHL), and the CHL Franchise of the Year Award for four consecutive seasons.