AHL Hershey Bears

Avalanche Inks Several Players Slated to be in Hershey This Season

July 29, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


HERSHEY – Last Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche announced the signing of eight players, many of whom are slated to play with the Bears in 2002-2003. Rookies Sergei Klyazmin (left wing), Charlie Stephens (center), Peter Budaj (goaltender) and Agris Saviels (defense) are expected to be in HERSHEY this season. In addition, defensemen D.J. Smith and Bryan Muir, who both spent time in HERSHEY last season, and former Bears Dan Hinote (1997-2000) and Brad Larsen (1997-2001) also signed contracts with the Avalanche.

Sergei Klyazmin, hailing from Moscow, Russia, has recorded back-to-back 61-point seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) during the past two years. Last season, prior to suffering a knee injury on January 20, he amassed that point total in just 46 games and registered a plus 20 rating. Despite missing the final two months of the regular season, Klyazmin still finished third on the club in scoring. Klyazmin, at 6'3", 195 lbs., was Colorado's sixth choice, 92nd overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft.

London, Ontario native Charlie Stephens joined the Bears during their 2002 playoff run and appeared in one post-season contest for the Chocolate and White. Following an early season trade last year from Guelph (OHL) to London (OHL), Stephens racked up 56 points in 56 games for his hometown club. In 2000-2001, he led Guelph with 38 goals. Stephens was Colorado's ninth choice, 196th overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft.

Peter Budaj, who just wrapped up his third season with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, led all OHL goaltenders with a 2.29 goals against average and .922 save percentage in 2001-2002. He went 26-9-5 for the Majors, who won the OHL's Central Division last yesr. Budaj was Colorado's first choice, 63rd overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft.

During each of the past two years, Agris Saviels has enjoyed brief stays with the Bears after his junior season ended. He skated in one regular season game for the Bears in 2000-2001 but did not see any action for the club in 2001-2002. The steady blueliner missed just 11 regular season games over three years with Owen Sound (OHL). The Riga, Latvia product was Colorado's fourth choice, 63rd overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Smith and Muir will compete for spots on Colorado's roster.

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