Canucks Acquire Ballard and Oreskovich from Panthers

Published on June 26, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks President & General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have acquired defenceman Keith Ballard and forward Victor Oreskovich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Vancouver's 25th overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and forwards Steve Bernier and Michael Grabner.

Ballard, 27, finished second among Panthers defencemen in scoring, recording eight goals, 20 assists (8-20-28) and 88 penalty minutes in 82 games with the Panthers in 2009-10. Ballard made his NHL debut in 2005-06 with the Phoenix Coyotes where he collected 39 points (8-31-39) in his rookie season. In 397 NHL games with the Phoenix Coyotes and Florida Panthers he has collected 149 points (33-116-149) and 403 penalty minutes.

The 5'11" defenceman led all NHL defencemen in shorthanded goals with three in 2005-06. He has represented USA at the World Championships on three occasions, 2004 (bronze medal), 2007 and 2008, and at the World Junior Championships in 2001. The Baudette, MN native was originally selected 11th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Oreskovich, 23, played 50 games in his rookie season with the Panthers in 2009-10, recording six points (2-4-6) and 26 penalty minutes. The Whitby, ON native was originally selected 55th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

American Hockey League Stories from June 26, 2010

• Blackhawks Nab 10 Players At NHL Draft - Rockford IceHogs
• Anaheim Ducks Select Six Players on Day Two of 2010 NHL Entry Draft - Syracuse Crunch
• Coyotes Select Three Players on Second Day of 2010 NHL Entry Draft - San Antonio Rampage
• Minnesota Wild Selects C/W Mikael Granlund with Ninth Overall Pick - Houston Aeros
• Kings Select Four Players on Final Day of 2010 NHL Entry Draft - Manchester Monarchs
• San Jose Sharks Re-Sign Center Andrew Desjardins - Worcester Sharks
• Lightning Make Seven Selections During Second Day of NHL Draft - Norfolk Admirals
• Anaheim Ducks Select Cam Fowler and Emerson Etem in First Round of NHL Entry Draft - Syracuse Crunch
• Coyotes Select Mark Visentin 27th Overall in 2010 NHL Entry Draft - San Antonio Rampage
• Canucks Acquire Ballard and Oreskovich from Panthers - Manitoba Moose

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