Admirals Sign Defensemen Wilford and Henry

October 9, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Today, the Norfolk Admirals announced that they have signed defenseman Marty Wilford to an AHL standard player's contract. The club also announced that fellow blueliner Burke Henry has been signed to a professional tryout (PTO). In keeping with club policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Wilford, 25, skated for Norfolk during its inaugural AHL season of 2000-01. He led all defensemen in scoring that year with 48 points (seven goals, 41 assists), while also topping the club in assists. Traded by the Admirals' parent club, Chicago, to Toronto for the NHL rights to Shawn Thornton on September 30, 2001, Wilford spent the 2001-02 campaign with St. John's, Hartford and Milwaukee of the AHL. In 77 regular season games played last year, he registered a total of 31 points (five goals, 26 assists). Wilford also saw action in 10 post-season contests for the Wolf Pack last year, scoring three goals and adding three assists (six points).

Henry, 23, was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the third round (73rd overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He made his pro debut with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 1999, and was of member of Hartford's 2000 Calder Cup Champion squad. A season later, Henry posted professional career highs in games played (80), goals (eight), assists (30), points (38) and penalty minutes (133) with Hartford. He was later traded to Calgary for Chris St. Croix on June 23, 2001, and spent last year with the Saint John Flames (AHL), posting 17 assists (17 points) in 58 contests.

The Admirals open their third AHL season in Portland, ME on Friday, October 11 at 7:05 p.m. Norfolk's first home game of the 2002-03 campaign is Friday, October 18 at Norfolk Scope. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets for that contest, and the remaining 39 on the Admirals' home schedule, are available at the Scope Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 9, 2002

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• Monarchs Release Riva - Manchester Monarchs
• Moose to hold Military Appreciation Night on October 12 - Manitoba Moose
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• Thrashers Reassign Two to Greenville - Chicago Wolves
• Morrison and Darby assigned to Columbia - Manitoba Moose
• Admirals Sign Defensemen Wilford and Henry - Norfolk Admirals
• St. Croix signs AHL contract and assigned to Columbia; Ricci released from Moose roster - Manitoba Moose
• St. John's Maple Leafs Launch Radio Contests - Toronto Marlies
• Banner-Raising Ceremony Highlights Wolves Season Opener - Chicago Wolves
• Griffins Roster Down to 22 - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Baumgartner, Helmer assigned, Brown placed on waivers - Manitoba Moose
• Wolves Throw Dogs a Bone - Chicago Wolves
• Aeros Tickets for December 8th at Xcel Energy Center on Sale Saturday - Houston Aeros
• Admirals Assign LaPlante to Roanoke - Norfolk Admirals
• Flames Trim Three from Roster - Saint John Flames
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