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USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Billins Brought Back to Flames

November 1, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa-Waterloo Black Hawks alumnus Chad Billins has been recalled by the Calgary Flames from the organization's American Hockey League affiliate, the Flames announced on Friday.

Over the summer, Calgary signed Billins as a free agent after his first professional season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins in 2012/13. The Marysville, Michigan native began the current campaign with the Abbotsford Heat, recording five goals and an assist in ten AHL games. Over 86 regular season appearances in the AHL, the defenseman has accumulated 15 goals and 28 assists.

Billins was not in the lineup for the Flames' game on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings. Calgary's next matchup is against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. According to a statement by the Flames, the roster move was completed after forward Lee Stempniak and defenseman Chris Breen were placed on injured reserve.

In 2007/08, Billins helped Waterloo reach the Clark Cup Championship Series. Appearing in all 60 regular season games, he was the Hawks' fifth-leading scorer with ten goals and 26 assists. During the playoffs, Billins added another nine points in 11 contests. No stranger to dramatic postseason situations after his time in Waterloo, Billins completed his four-year NCAA career as the captain at Ferris State University, leading the Bulldogs to the 2012 National Championship Game.

Should Billins make his NHL debut during this call up, he would be the first former Hawk to do so since J.T. Brown enjoyed a similar moment on March 31, 2012 for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Billins would also join Andrew Alberts, Joe Pavelski, and Craig Smith as the fourth Black Hawks alumnus to skate in an NHL game this season. Thirteen former Waterloo players have moved on from the Black Hawks to appear in the NHL, however no member of that group has done so with the Flames.

Before being recalled, Billins' Abbotsford teammates included Brett Olson and Drew MacKenzie, who also each played for Waterloo during the 2007/08 season.

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