Aeros bring back Kochan, member of '03 title team
October 16, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
HOUSTON, Texas - The Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League have agreed to terms with veteran goaltender Dieter Kochan (DEE-tuhr, KAH-kuhn) on a contract for the 2006-07 season, the team announced Monday.
Kochan, 32 (5/11/74), was a member of the Aeros' 2003 Calder Cup championship team. Kochan missed half of the regular season with Lyme disease, and then went 15-6-3 with a 2.53 gaa and a .907 save percentage in 25 games for the Aeros. Kochan backed up Calder Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player Johan Holmqvist in the post-season.
"Dieter brings a wealth of experience and a winning attitude into our locker room," Aeros assistant general manager/assistant coach Matt Shaw said.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound native of Saskatoon, Sask., was Vancouver's fourth-round selection (No. 98 overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He played in Russia for the first half of last season, before signing with AHL Portland. Kochan was 9-4-1 with a 2.72 gaa and a .916 save percentage for the Pirates despite missing time due to a broken ankle.
Kochan had a career best season with AHL Bridgeport in 2003-04, when he went 20-17-7 and ranked fourth in the league in gaa at 1.87. He shared the AHL's Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Trophy with teammate Wade Dubielewicz as the goaltending tandem with the fewest goals against. In 171 career AHL games, Kochan has an 85-67-2 mark with a 2.43 gaa.
Kochan has 21 games of NHL experience with Tampa Bay and Minnesota. Kochan also played for the United States at the 2002 IIHF World Championships in Sweden.
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