Aeros Recall Materukhin, Fortunus From Louisiana
March 18, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA â The Houston Aeros have recalled right wing Alex Materukhin and defenseman Maxime Fortunus from the ECHL's Louisiana IceGators, the teams announced Thursday. Paul Ballantyne was recalled to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, two days after being acquired from the Toledo Storm for future considerations.
Materukhin, 22, (10/17/81) has enjoyed a breakout second pro season with the IceGators, racking up 58 points (26g â 32a) and 126 penalty minutes in 62 games. His point total, which ranks him second on the Louisiana team, is 32 more than his 26-point (13g â 13a) rookie campaign with ECHL Richmond in 2002-03. Materukhin (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) leads the IceGators with seven game-winning goals and three shorthanded tallies. The Kiev, Ukraine, native played two seasons of juniors with Acadie-Bathurst and one with USHL Des Moines.
Fortunus, 20, (7/28/83) has posted 17 points (3g â 14a) and 27 penalty minutes in 63 games with Louisiana. The rookie's plus-27 rating is second among all ECHL rookies and fifth among defensemen. He also played two games with the Aeros on December without picking up a point. The 6-foot, 190-pound native of La Prairie, Quebec, played juniors with Baie-Comeau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Fortunus becomes the youngest player on the Aeros' roster.
"This is a great opportunity for both Alex and Max. They have been outstanding players for us this year as well as great young men," said IceGators head coach Dave Farrish. "This is a well deserved opportunity and we wish them the best of luck in the AHL."
Ballantyne, 21, (7/16/82) posted 36 points (13g â 23a) and 20 penalty minutes in 54 games with the Storm this season. He also played five games with the Griffins, collecting 6 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-3, 204 pound defenseman from Waterloo, ONT began his career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. Ballantyne, in his second professional season, started his career with the Toledo Storm, playing 56 games with the Storm and seven with Grand Rapids during the 2002-03 season.
The IceGators play two games at home this weekend, hosting the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Friday, March 19 at 7:05 p.m. and the Pensacola Ice Pilots on Saturday, March 20 at 7:05 p.m. Friday is Iberia Parish Appreciation Night. All residents of Iberia Parish will get $2 off tickets at the Cajundome box office with ID. The Friday night drink special is $2 beer. Saturday night is Boy Scout Night. All Boy Scouts in uniform will receive a commemorative patch.
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