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Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Trade Mele, Blazek to Cincinnati for Defenseman Mike Ratchuk

January 16, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals announce today that the club has traded forward Tommy Mele and defenseman Andrew Blazek to Cincinnati in exchange for defenseman Mike Ratchuk.

Ratchuk, 27, was a second round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006. The Buffalo native is in his eighth professional season and compiled 32 goals, 83 assists, and 115 points in 199 games in the ECHL thus far in his career. The Michigan State product made his pro debut with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL in 2008, and proceeded to log 10 goals and 23 helpers through 147 games over the next four seasons. This year with the Cyclones, the 5-foot-10 and 175-pounder has a goal and six points in 24 appearances.

Blazek, 27, went scoreless with a minus-8 ice rating in five games with Norfolk. The Pittsburgh native is in his second full professional campaign, and played in 11 contests for the Wichita Thunder before being traded to the Admirals in late November.

Mele, a 29-year-old forward from the Bronx, posted 10 goals and 10 assists for Norfolk in 37 games this season. For his career, the 6-foot, 176-pound winger has 53 goals and 43 assists for 96 points in 197 games. This is his fourth season in the ECHL after 51 games in the CHL with Fort Wayne in 2011-12. Prior to turning pro, Mele played four years at American International College from 2007-11.

Norfolk's final stop of a four-game road trip is Manchester, N.H. for back-to-back games versus the Monarchs. Puck drop on Saturday is at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Admirals return to Scope the following weekend for two in a row against the Elmira Jackals, including Pink in the Rink Night on Saturday, Jan. 23. Visit the Scope Box Office, ticketmaster.com, or charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 for tickets.

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