Atlanta Assigns Seven to Wolves
Published on September 27, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
The Atlanta Thrashers have assigned forwards RILEY HOLZAPFEL, RYLAN KAIP and SPENCER MACHACEK, defensemen CHAD DENNY, SCOTT LEHMAN and GRANT LEWIS and goaltender DAN TURPLE to the Chicago Wolves.
HOLZAPFEL, who recorded two assists in the Thrashers' 9-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues last night, made his professional debut with Chicago last year, when he was held scoreless in one regular-season game after being signed to an Amateur Tryout Contract following the conclusion of his WHL season with the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The Atlanta Thrashers' second choice, 43rd overall, in the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Holzapfel ranked fifth on Moose Jaw with 41 points (18G, 23A) despite appearing in just 49 of the team's 72 regular-season games last season. Overall, the 20-year-old center collected 91 goals, 117 assists, 208 points and 215 penalty minutes in 248 regular-season contests over four seasons with the Warriors (2004 to 2008). He notched junior career highs with 39 goals, 43 assists and 82 points in 72 games in 2006-07.
MACHACECK, Atlanta's first choice, 67th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, collected his first professional point with a goal in Atlanta's preseason tilt last night. Last year, he captained the WHL's Vancouver Giants and led the squad with 33 goals and 78 points in 70 regular-season games. The 19-year-old right wing also shared the Giants lead with five goals and tied for fourth on the team with seven points in 10 postseason outings.
Overall, the Lethbridge, Alberta, native registered 168 points (77G, 91A) and 154 penalty minutes in 203 career regular-season WHL contests with Vancouver, spanning three seasons (2005 to 2008), which includes ranking 14th in the WHL with his 78 points last year. MACHACEK captured the 2007 Memorial Cup with the Giants, recording 20 points (9G, 11A) in 22 postseason tilts that year.
KAIP wrapped up a four-year stint with the University of North Dakota (WCHA) last year, tallying career highs with eight goals, 15 assists and 81 penalty minutes in 42 games during his senior year. Overall, the 24-year-old center amassed 15 goals, 38 points and 230 penalty minutes in 143 games with UND from 2004 to 2008.
DENNY, LEHMAN and LEWIS all saw time on Chicago's blueline last season, and were members of the 2008 Calder Cup Championship squad. DENNY registered four assists and six points in 11 regular-season outings with Chicago and seven goals and 13 points in 48 regular-season appearances with the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators during his pro debut, while LEHMAN notched four assists, six points and 109 penalty minutes in 40 outings with the Wolves, and two assists and 18 penalty minutes in six games with Gwinnett. LEWIS made his professional debut in 43 regular-season games with Chicago, notching 14 assists and 16 points, and recorded two penalty minutes in two Calder Cup Playoff games.
American Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2008
- Admirals Drop Preseason Opener - Norfolk Admirals
- Phantoms Take 5-2 Victory Over Norfolk - Adirondack Phantoms
- Ottawa Assigns Five More To Binghamton - Binghamton Senators
- Atlanta Assigns Seven to Wolves - Chicago Wolves
- Penguins Take 2-1 Win In Binghamton - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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