Blatny's debut an AHL/NHL milestone
Published on March 20, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release
Forward Zdenek Blatny made his first National Hockey League appearance with the Atlanta Thrashers on Wednesday night, becoming the 100th AHL player to make his NHL debut during the 2002-03 season.
Blatny, 22, skated 14 shifts with an even rating in the Thrashers' 5-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.
In 64 games with the AHL's Chicago Wolves this season, the native of Brno, Czech Rep., has 10 goals and eight assists. Blatny was a third-round selection of Atlanta in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Blatny is the 12th member of the 2002 Calder Cup champion Wolves to skate in the NHL this season. He scored two goals in three postseason games last year; both goals were game-winners in Chicago's qualifying series against Cincinnati, including the double-overtime goal to avoid elimination in Game 2.
Through Wednesday, a record 366 AHL players have suited up for an NHL contest during the 2002-03 season, including 346 who were credited with a game played and 20 who dressed as a back-up goaltender. All told, 743 of the 960 players (77.4 percent) to play in an NHL game this season have been AHL graduates.
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