Cam Ward Assigned to Lowell for Conditioning

Published on December 14, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Lowell, Mass. - The Carolina Hurricanes announced today they have recalled G Kevin Nastiuk and assigned G Cam Ward to the Lowell Lock Monsters. Ward is expected to play this weekend as Lowell has three games in three nights.

Ward, 21, played in 2004-05 for Lowell in his first season in the pro ranks. Thus far with the first place Hurricanes, he has composed a 6-3-1 record with a 4.05 goals against average. He made his NHL debut in a relief appearance on October 5th at Tampa Bay. He stopped 28 of 30 shots and was perfect in the shootout for his first NHL win in his first career start, on October 7th vs. Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes drafted Ward in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft with the 25th overall selection.

The native of Sherwood Park, Alberta finished the year as the American Hockey League All-Rookie Team netminder, posting a 27-17-3 record in 50 games. Ward led the league with a..937 save percentage, setting a Monsters team record. His six shutouts, 1.99 goals against average and 27 wins were also team records. In the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs, Ward started all 11 games for Lowell. He will be with the team only for a conditioning assignment, and is expected to return to Carolina next week.

Nastiuk, 20, is in his first professional season, and has a 1-5-2 record in six games with Lowell. He has a 3.27 GAA and a..902 save percentage during his time with the Monsters. The former fourth round pick of Carolina in the 2003 draft completed his major junior career with Medicine Hat last season, putting up a 2.18 GAA and..914 save percentage with seven shutouts. He attended both Carolina's rookie camp, where he put up a 2.00 GAA and..957 save percentage in three games, and NHL training camp.

Nastiuk joins eight other Lock Monsters who have been recalled to the National Hockey League this season. Craig Adams, Andrew Ladd, Chad LaRose and Danny Richmond have each gone up to Carolina, while Paul Healey, Vitaly Kolesnik, Cody McCormick and Brad Richardson have all been recalled to the Colorado Avalanche at one point during the 2005-06 campaign.

The Lock Monsters hit the road on Friday to take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:35 p.m. They return for home games on Saturday and Sunday at Tsongas Arena. Saturday's game against the Manchester Monarchs is Team Poster Night. The first 1,000 fans through the turnstiles will get a free 2005-06 Lock Monsters team poster. In addition, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be at the arena prior to the game. Doors open at 6:35, the puck drops at 7:35 p.m. On Sunday the Monsters host the Hartford Wolf Pack at 4:05 p.m. All Sunday home games feature Family Four Packs - get 4 tickets, 4 scrumptious hot dogs and 4 refreshing Pepsis for just $49. In addition, all members of Louie's Little Monsters Kid's Club receive complimentary admission to all Sunday home games.

Individual tickets start at $10 and are on sale now at the Tsongas Arena box office, which is open from 10:00 - 5:30 Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Flex Packs and Holiday Hat Trick packages make great gifts for the holidays, and are on sale now. Contact the Lock Monsters ticket office at (978) 458-PUCK (7825) for more information. All games, home and away, can be heard live on 980 WCAP and viewed through B2 Networks online with the Voice of the Monsters, Ryan Johnston.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 14, 2005


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