Blues Sign McClement & Qualify Seven Others with Peoria Ties
July 18, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, IL (July 18, 2006) - St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the club has re-signed center Jay McClement to a multi-year deal. Davidson also announced that goaltender Jason Bacashihua; defensemen Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch, Aaron MacKenzie, Tomas Mojzis and Jeff Woywitka; and forwards Peter Sejna and Jon DiSalvatore have all accepted their qualifying offers.
McClement, a 23-year-old Kingston, Ontario, native, tallied nine points (4g, 5a) in 11 games over two mid-season stints with the Rivermen, while collecting 27 points (6g, 21a) in 67 games with Peoria's parent club. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound center netted his first NHL goal on a penalty shot against Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin on October 11, 2005; he registered his first NHL assist and multi-point game on October 11 as well.
"We are counting on Jay to take his game to another level this season as he should get more ice time in all situations," said Davidson. "We are expecting all of our players who have signed their qualifying offers to have more impact with the Blues organization as they gain valuable experience."
Bacashihua, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound native of Garden City, Michigan, posted a 9-4-0 record in 15 appearances for the Rivermen last season with a 2.63 goals against average (GAA), a .904 save percentage and two shutouts. With the Blues, the 23-year-old netminder was 4-10-1 in 19 appearances with a 3.23 GAA and a .899 save percentage.
DiSalvatore, a 25-year-old Bangor, Maine, native, led the Rivermen in scoring during the 2005-06 season, accumulating 67 points (22g, 45a) in 72 games; the third-year right wing was second on the team in goals and assists, equaling a career high for tallies in one season.
Sejna, a 5-foot-9, 197-pound native of Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia, took part in his third stint over the last three NHL seasons in 2005-06, posting two points (1g, 1a) in six games for the Blues, while amassing 50 points (19g, 31a) for the Rivermen in a 44-game, injury-plagued season. The third-year left wing missed most of January, February and March due to a high-ankle sprain.
MacKenzie, a 25-year-old Terrace Bay, Ontario, native, recorded nine points (2g, 7a) on the Rivermen backline during an injury-shortened, 51-game season in 2005-06.
Mojzis, a 6-foot-1, 192-pound defenseman, notched seven points (3g, 4a) in 12 games for the Rivermen last season after his acquisition on March 9 from the NHL's Vancouver Canucks along with a third-round selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft (defenseman Jonas Junland - 64th overall). The 24-year-old native of Kolin, Czech Republic played seven games with Vancouver last season, collecting an assist and 12 penalty minutes (PIM), and toiled for the American Hockey League's (AHL) North Division Manitoba Moose for 37 games with 18 points (5g, 13a) during the first half of the year.
Woywitka, a 22-year-old native of Vermilion, Alberta, recorded 15 points (1g, 14a) in 53 games for the Rivermen defensive corps last season, while collecting his first two NHL points (assists) in 26 games on call-up with the Blues late in the season.
Lynch, a 6-foot-3, 214-pound native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, skated in 29 games for the Rivermen last year, recording two assists and 57 PIM. In addition, the third-year defenseman spent eight games and registered two points (1g, 1a) with Peoria's ECHL affiliate and 2006 Kelly Cup Champion Alaska Aces.
The Blues continue their Development Camp at Mills' Ice Zone in St. Louis with on-ice workouts Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 am, and Saturday at 10:00 am. Former Blues' All-Star Defenseman Al MacInnis continues to run the practices, which includes 2006, 1st overall pick Erik Johnson.
Rivermen season ticket plans are on sale now with 1) a Full Season package (40 games), 2) the 25th Anniversary package (25 games), 3) a 12-game package, 4) a seven-game package and 5) undated voucher books (denominations of 20 vouchers). Packages start at just $75 per seat.
For more information, please contact Director of Ticket Operations Jim Small at 309-676-1040 x 106 or via e-mail at tickets@rivermen.net.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from July 18, 2006
- Moose, Canucks Sign Affiliation Agreement wih Salmon Kings - Manitoba Moose
- Dallas signs pair of Iowa Stars - Iowa Chops
- McElhinney Polishes Skills At Development Camp - Abbotsford Heat
- Laing joins Chocolatetown champs - Hershey Bears
- Blues Sign McClement & Qualify Seven Others with Peoria Ties - Peoria Rivermen
- Moore Named AHL Radio Broadcaster of Year - Manitoba Moose
- Rangers Re-Sign Defenseman Bryce Lampman - Connecticut Whale
- AHL announces Ellery Award winners - AHL
- Blackhawks Sign Corazzini, Koci and Hendry - Norfolk Admirals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
