Big Moves Made At Trade Deadline

March 22, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Gulls were extremely busy during Tuesday's ECHL trade deadline, making deals with four separate teams. Among the players moved were Sylvain Deschatelets, Ian Forbes and Evgueni Nourislamov. The Gulls acquired forward Brett Draney from the Idaho Steelheads, defenseman Aaron Forsythe from the Peoria Rivermen and goaltender Simon Lajeunesse from the Dayton Bombers. San Diego will also receive future considerations from two teams.

In their first deal, the Gulls traded centerman Deschatelets to the Bakersfield Condors for future considerations (a player to be named later). Deschatelets, 25, was San Diego's co-leader in points this season with 44 (13g, 31a), tied with Max Birbraer. Last season, the 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound native of Blainville, Quebec notched a career-high 81 points and 57 assists. Deschatelets originally signed with the Gulls for the 2000 West Coast Hockey League Playoffs, then re-signed in 2002-03. He leaves San Diego as the franchise's 12th all-time leading scorer with 188 points (60g, 128a).

"Sly asked to be moved to a team guaranteed to make the playoffs," head coach Martin St. Amour said. "This is probably his last season in the ECHL anyway, as he plans to play next year in Europe. Sly was such a huge part of this team and organization and it's tough to see him go."

In their second deal, the Gulls acquired defenseman Forsythe and future considerations (two players to be named later) from Peoria. In exchange, Peoria acquired defenseman Forbes, who was recalled by the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and then re-assigned to the Rivermen.

Forsythe, 23, notched nine points (2g, 7a) and 24 penalty minutes for Peoria this season, his rookie year. He began the season with the South Carolina Stingrays, recording two assists and 27 penalty minutes. Before turning pro, the 6-foot-4-inch, 197-pound native of Mankato, Minn. played collegiate hockey for his hometown Minnesota State-Mankato.

Forbes, 24, had nine points (2g, 7a) and led the Gulls with 189 penalty minutes this season, playing in 62 games. The 6-foot-6-inch, 215-pounder from Brampton, Ontario played last season for the Florida Everblades and was a second round selection of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

"In the Forbes deal, we acquired three talented, young players that will definitely help us in the future," St. Amour said. "Forsythe will join the club immediately but the other two players we got in the trade wont join our team until next season."

The third deal of the day involved the acquisition of forward Draney from Idaho in exchange for defenseman Nourislamov, who was recalled to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch and then re-assigned to the Steelheads. Draney, 24, appeared in 50 games for the Steelheads this season, registering 42 points (16g, 26a) and 54 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pound native of Merritt, British Columbia also played one game this season for the AHL's Utah Grizzlies. Draney split time with both Idaho and Utah last season and was a sixth round draft pick of the Dallas Stars in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Nourislamov, 22, amassed 15 points (10g, 5a) and 22 penalty minutes in 27 games this season. The 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound defenseman from Ufa, Russia also appeared in two games for Syracuse this season, recording two penalty minutes. Nourislamov began his professional career with San Diego last season, posting 10 points (1g, 9a).

"Nourislamov is under contract with Syracuse for the next couple of years," St. Amour said. "He will most likely play in the AHL next season and we had an overload of defenseman. In return though, we got a very good forward in Draney."

The final deal of the day had the Gulls acquiring goaltender Lajeunesse from Dayton, which completed an earlier three-team trade that saw San Diego acquire defenseman Grady Moore and send Trevor Koenig and Colin Shields to the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies.

Lajeunesse, 24, has also played with the Fresno Falcons and Gwinnett Gladiators this season before his stint with the Bombers. In 22 games combined with Fresno, Gwinnett and Dayton, the 6-foot, 180-pounder from Quebec posted a 5-12-2 record with a 3.20 goals-against average and .896 save percentage. Lajeunesse was a second round selection of the Ottawa Senators in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and appeared in one game for Ottawa in 2001-02.

"I'm very excited with the deals we made today," St. Amour said. "I think we really set-up the future of this team not only for next season, but for time to come. It was tough to deal Sly, Forbes and Nourislamov, but I think we got some quality players in return. Some won't join us until next season, but the ones that will immediately join the team should really help us.

"Forsythe and Draney will both add a lot of grit and determination in our drive to still make the playoffs this season. And Lajeunesse will be our goaltender of the future."

The Gulls close out their five-game homestand Friday against the Long Beach Ice Dogs, with game-time set for 7:05 p.m. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a Gulls visor. San Diego will play in Long Beach Saturday at 7 p.m. before hosting the Gwinnett Gladiators Sunday, March 27 at 5:05 p.m. The first 5,000 kids 14 and under at Sunday's game will receive a special Gulls T-shirt.

All games can be heard live on KLSD 1360AM and www.sandiegogulls.com with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play. All home games and all but one remaining road game (Saturday in Long Beach) can be viewed on the Gulls' web site, courtesy of B2 Networks. Click the B2 Networks link on the home page for a list of the upcoming telecasted games. To view pictures from this season, visit www.sdgullsphotos.com and www.zerodogentertainment.com.



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