Wolves Sign Kulda, LaVallee Heads to Atlanta
March 30, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
The Chicago Wolves have signed defenseman ARTURS KULDA (AHR-tuhrs KOOL-da) to an Amateur Tryout Contact (ATO). In addition, the Atlanta Thrashers have recalled left wing JORDAN LaVALLEE (LAH-Valley) from the Wolves.
KULDA led the Peterborough Petes (OHL) with a +9 plus/minus rating and ranked second among team defensemen with seven goals, 27 assists and 34 points in 55 regular-season games this year. The 19-year-old blueliner ranked third on the club with with four points (G, 3A) in five postseason contests during the Petes' opening round, 4-games-to-1, series loss against the Belleville Bulls. Overall, the Riga, Latvia, native registered 36 assists, 45 points and 170 penalty minutes in 113 career OHL tilts with Peterborough over the last two seasons.
LaVALLEE, who will be available to make his National Hockey League debut when Atlanta visits the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday at 6:30 p.m., becomes the ninth Wolves player to be summoned by Atlanta for NHL recall this season. The 21-year-old forward has netted professional career highs with 19 goals, 21 assists and 40 points in 71 games with Chicago this year, which includes an assist in Chicago's 4-3 loss against the Houston Aeros on Saturday.
The Corvallis, Oregon, native made his professional debut with the Wolves last season, ranking second among team rookies with 16 goals and third with 34 points in 79 contests. LaVALLEE shared first among AHL first-year pros and second on squad with seven goals in 14 postseason matchups during Chicago's run to the 2007 Western Conference Final. He has missed just one regular-season matchup in his two-year Wolves career (Nov. 19, 2006), which was due to suspension.
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