Bernard appeared in 70 of the Falcons 72 games as a rookie last season, scoring 15 goals and adding 26 assists for 41 points, while also accumulating 65 penalty minutes. The 23-year-old enjoyed most of his success in the second half of the season, tallying 13 of his goals and 20 of his assists after January 1. Bernard led the team last season with four shorthanded goals. Prior to turning pro, Bernard played four seasons at Ohio State University, scoring 43 points in 132 career games.

Gongalsky scored 43 points on 18 goals and 25 assists, and added 140 penalty minutes, in 63 games for the Falcons last season. The 22-year-old tallied his first professional hat trick on December 1 at Bakersfield, and was one of three Falcons' representatives in the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game in Stockton, where he tallied two assists in the National Conference's victory.

"We went into last year in a rebuilding mode and our goal was to add players that we would have return this year," Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas said. "Both Kenny and Igor were instrumental to our success last season, and we look forward to them building on their successful rookie campaigns this season."