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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Anaheim Reassigns Gibson, Vatanen; Recalls Etem

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


ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Anaheim Ducks announced Sunday that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has reassigned goaltender John Gibson and defenseman Sami Vatanen to the Norfolk Admirals, Anaheim's primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). The Ducks have also recalled defenseman Mark Fistric from a long-term conditioning loan and winger Emerson Etem from loan to Norfolk.

Gibson, 20, stood between the pipes in three games for the Ducks in this recent stint in the NHL. The Pittsburgh native posted a shutout in his NHL debut in a 3-0 win versus the Vancouver Canucks back on April 7 and a 3-0-0 record in his first three career games as an NHL goaltender. He sports a 1.33 goals-against average, .954 save percentage, and gave up four goals in over 180 minutes of action. Gibson became the youngest goalie (20 years, 297 days) to shut out an opponent in his NHL debut since Daren Puppa (20 years, 223 days) did so for Buffalo in 1985. He's also the first goalie of any age to earn a shutout in his NHL debut since 2009 and the first in Anaheim franchise history to hold an opponent scoreless in his Ducks' debut. For his efforts, Gibson received the Second Star of the Week honor for the week of April 7-13.

Vatanen, 22, last played for the Admirals on March 1 versus Norfolk's upcoming first-round opponent, top-seeded Manchester. Vatanen's scored six goals and 21 points along with a plus-9 rating in 48 games with the Ducks this season. He has two goals and seven points in eight games with Norfolk this season. Perhaps one of the Jyvaskyla, Finland native's proudest accomplishments is one he wears around his neck. Vatanen led all defenseman with five assists and ranked tied for fourth in scoring on his way to a bronze medal in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. He has accumulated eight goals, 23 total points and a plus-12 rating in 56 career NHL games.

Etem, 21, returns to Anaheim for the first time since March 20 when he skated for the Ducks against the San Jose Sharks. Etem's been a consistent scorer for the Admirals and is tied for the team lead in points with 54 and is second behind Devante Smith-Pelly for the team lead in goals with 24. The former first round draft pick leads the Admirals in points per game (1.08) in 50 games played this season in Norfolk. Etem leaves the AHL in the midst of a seven-game point-streak in which he's put up 10 points. The Long Beach, California native also scored seven goals in his last seven games before the call up yesterday. He has 29 games with Anaheim under his belt this season in which he found the net seven times as part of 11 total points. In 67 career NHL games, Etem's scored 10 goals and 21 points to accompany an efficient plus-10 on-ice rating. In last season's NHL Western Conference Quarterfinals against Detroit, Etem appeared in all seven games of the series and finished tied for the team lead in goals (3), tied for fourth in points (5) and tied for second in plus/minus (+4).

Fistric, 27, finishes his long-term conditioning assignment in Norfolk and heads to Dallas to meet with the team before their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup with the Stars in Game Three tonight. He has five assists, 28 penalty minutes, and a plus-9 rating in 34 games played with Anaheim this season. Fistric participated in two games for the Admirals for a plus-2 rating, which brings his career total to 150 AHL games and his first appearances since 2010-11 with the Texas Stars.

Fistric has skated in 316 career NHL games to a plus-31 rating on the ice where he's tallied three goals and 31 assists along with 280 penalty minutes for Dallas, Edmonton and currently Anaheim.

Playoff hockey returns to Scope when the Admirals take on Manchester in the opening round of the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs. Visit www.norfolkadmirals.com for all playoff scheduling and ticketing information.

Individual playoff tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, April 23rd, at the Scope Box Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com. Individual ticket prices for the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs are $23.00 for Gold, $20.00 for Red and $18.00 for White. Fans receive a discount when purchasing playoff tickets in advance of the day of the game. When bought in advance, Gold tickets are $19.50, Red are $16.50 and White are $14.50. In addition, 10-seat corporate boxes are available by contacting the Admirals at (757) 640-1212. The Scope Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m., or 10:00 a.m. through game time on Admirals game days.

Playoff packages are available for purchase by season ticket holders at norfolkadmirals.com.

Reserve your 2014-15 season tickets with a deposit of $100 or more per seat today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

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