Brodeur, Blanshan and Vodrazka headed to AHL

December 29, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Grrrowl News Release


GREENVILLE, SC - The Greenville Grrrowl announced today that goalie MIKE BRODEUR and defenseman CODY BLANSHAN have been assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. In a separate transaction, the AHL's Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights announced today that they have signed Grrrowl Captain JAN VODRAZKA to a professional try out agreement.

This is Brodeur's second call-up in the past two weeks, as the Calgary, Alberta native was recalled by Norfolk on Dec. 21st. He was retuned the next day, and did not see any ice time. In 23 games with the Grrrowl, Brodeur has posted a 14-8-1 record with a 2.58 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. He has started 23 straight games, had a five-game winning streak during November, and has won his last three starts. Brodeur has one shutout and three shootout wins this season and is amongst the league leaders in wins, minutes and saves.

Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Draft, Brodeur played 35 games for the Grrrowl last year and one game for the Admirals. He was called up to Norfolk and played his first AHL game on April 1st, 2005. He will now help fill the void left by goalie Adam Munro, who was recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks after NHL veteran Nikolai Khabibulin was injured in a game on Dec. 28th.

Blanshan will make his first trip to the AHL, as the Blackhawks prospect has played the first 24 games of his rookie season in Greenville. He has 11 points on three goals and eight assists, and enjoyed a three-game stretch from Nov. 25-27th in which he recorded six points. The Eagan, Minnesota native scored his first professional goal on Dec. 4th. He has a +8 rating and 56 penalty minutes so far this season.

Originally selected by the New York Islanders in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry draft, Blanshan was signed by Chicago this past off-season and has spent training camps with the Blackhawks, Admirals, and Grrrowl. The 21-year-old played the last two seasons with Medicine Hat of the WHL.

Vodrazka is expected to be in Omaha's lineup Friday, when the Knights host the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m. This will be his first trip to the AHL since playing 54 games with the Houston Aeros in 2003-04. Throughout his career, the veteran defenseman has played 337 games in the AHL and IHL, totaling 41 points and 979 penalty minutes.

This season, the 6-1 200-pounder has played 24 games in Greenville, registering five points on five assists, 101 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus rating of +14. His 101 penalty minutes leads the Grrrowl, while his +14 ranking is tied for the team lead. The Plzen, Czech native has nine major penalties, which ties him for first amongst league defensemen in that category.

Did You Know: The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights is the full name of the Calgary Flames' newest AHL affiliate. The name recognizes both the city's history and tradition of professional hockey and its ties with the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, a civic philanthropic organization committed to building a better community since 1895. Ak-Sar-Ben is "Nebraska" spelled backwards.

The Grrrowl is back in action on New Years Day, hosting the South Carolina Stingrays at 6:05 p.m. It's Family Day at the BI-LO Center, meaning Grrrowl fans can bring their skates and skate on the BI-LO Center Ice after the game, take pictures with Grrrowl players, and take shots on Grrrowl goalies. Also, the first 1000 Grrrowl fans age 12 and under will receive a free replica youth jersey. For tickets, call 864-233-2525.



ECHL Stories from December 29, 2005


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