Sports stats



AHL Norfolk Admirals

Anaheim Reassigns Defensemen Vatanen and O'Brien to Norfolk

January 21, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has reassigned defenseman Sami Vatanen to the Norfolk Admirals, Anaheim's primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition, the Ducks have reassigned defenseman Andrew O'Brien to Norfolk from the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.

Vatanen, 22, heads to Norfolk having totaled 14 points (6g, 8a) and a +3 rating in 39 appearances with Anaheim this season. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound blue-liner has posted three points (1g, 2a) in two appearances with the Admirals earlier this season back on November 15 & 16.

Last Season, Vatanen appeared in 62 games for Norfolk registering 45 points (9g, 36a), while also scoring two goals in eight games played with the Ducks. Vatanen is skating in his second North American professional season after three years playing in the Finnish Elite League (SM- liiga)..

A 22-year-old native of Jyväskylä, Finland, Vatanen was selected by Anaheim in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Vatanen was named to Team Finland's roster for the upcoming 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

O'Brien, 21, is scoreless with 31 penalty minutes and a minus-2 rating in ten games played with Utah this season. The 6-4, 219-pound rookie finished his career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with 57 points (11g, 46a), 241 penalty minutes, and a +12 rating split between the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens from 2010-2013. He was selected by Anaheim in the fourth-round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The Admirals return home to Scope on Friday and Saturday for a big East Division matchup with rival the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. On Friday, the first 2,025 fans will receive an Admirals Challenge Coin. Game tickets are now on sale, and are available through the Norfolk Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

For 10-packs, or discounted group tickets stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, or call (757) 640-1212 Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fans can also visit us online at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central