AHL Norfolk Admirals

Barker, Burish, Byfuglien and MacDonald Return to Admirals

Published on January 21, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


CHICAGO, Illinois - Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that Chicago has returned defensemen Cam Barker and Dustin Byfuglien, right wing Adam Burish and center Craig MacDonald on loan to the Norfolk Admirals.

Barker, 20, is a 6'3", 213 lb. rookie defenseman from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was recalled to Chicago on January 14 and appeared in four games with the Blackhawks, recording one goal and four penalty minutes. The goal was his first NHL tally and occurred on January 14 in Chicago versus the Minnesota Wild.

Barker was drafted by the Blackhawks in the first round (third overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Barker has now appeared in five career NHL games with one goal and four penalty minutes.

In 30 games with Norfolk this season, Barker has five goals and eight assists for 13 points and 49 penalty minutes. He made his Admirals debut on November 3 after missing the first part of the 2006-07 season recuperating from off-season ankle surgery.

Burish (pronounced "BUHR-ihsh"), 23, is a 6'1", 191 lb. rookie right wing from Madison, Wisconsin. He was called up for his second stint in Chicago this season on January 9 and appeared in three games going scoreless with two penalty minutes.

Burish was drafted by Chicago in the ninth round (282nd overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. In nine games with the Blackhawks this season, Burish is scoreless with two penalty minutes.

In 31 games with Norfolk this season, Burish has four goals and four assists with 71 penalty minutes. He tied the Admirals' franchise record for assists in a game with his first four professional assists on December 27, 2006 versus Providence.

Byfuglien (pronounced "BUFF-lihn"), 21, is a 6'3", 254 lb. defenseman from Roseau, Minnesota. The Blackhawks recalled him on January 6, and he appeared in six games registering two assists and four penalty minutes.

Byfuglien was drafted by the Blackhawks in the eighth round (245th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He made his pro debut with the Admirals in October 2005 and then made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in March 2006. In 31 NHL games, Byfuglien has three goals and four assists for seven points and 28 penalty minutes.

In 28 games with Norfolk this season, Byfuglien has eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points and 42 penalty minutes. He leads all Admirals defensemen in goals and points and is tied for the lead in assists.

Byfuglien was named to the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star Team on January 9. In his 81 career AHL games (all with Norfolk), Byfuglien has 16 goals and 30 assists for 46 points and 117 penalty minutes.

MacDonald, 29, is a 6'1", 202 lb. center from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He was recalled to Chicago for the third time this season on January 9 and appeared in six games during his latest stint in the Windy City, scoring two goals with no penalty minutes. He recorded his first goal as a Blackhawk in Detroit on January 13, 2007. On the season, MacDonald has played 17 games for Chicago this season, registering two goals and one assist with 12 penalty minutes.

MacDonald signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks on July 25, 2006. In 152 career NHL games with Chicago, Calgary, Boston, Florida and Carolina, MacDonald has seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points and 73 penalty minutes.

The Admirals' captain has ten goals and 17 assists with 24 PIM in 29 games with Norfolk this season. In 292 career AHL games between Norfolk, Omaha, Lowell, San Antonio and New Haven, MacDonald has 71 goals and 127 assists for 198 points.

The Admirals are in Philadelphia this evening for a 5:05 p.m. game with the Phantoms. Afterwards, they will return to Scope to prepare for a Friday night showdown against their East Division rivals the Hershey Bears. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. Friday night's game will feature an AJ Gator's Pre-Game Party. For more information, please visit norfolkadmirals.com. Also on Friday, the first 2,500 fans through the gate will receive an Admirals' T-shirt courtesy of Liberty Tax Service. The Admirals will also honor the fifth STIHL Hometown Hero of the season during the game.

Individual game tickets for all Admirals regular season games range from $11-$16 and are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 or at ticketmaster.com. Season tickets, ten-packs and group tickets remain on sale through the Admirals' office and through the Admirals' website. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 640-1212 or visit them online at norfolkadmirals.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2007


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