Chad Johnson Head up to Rangers
Published on January 11, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
New York, January 11, 2010 - New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that goaltender Chad Johnson has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), and Matt Zaba has been assigned to Hartford.
Johnson, 23, made 30 saves in Hartford's 2-1 victory at Providence last night. On Thursday at Atlanta, Johnson registered one assist, made 31 saves through regulation/overtime and stopped three of five shootout attempts while making his first career NHL start with the Rangers. In two appearances with New York, Johnson has registered one assist and posted a 0-0-1 record with a 2.29 goals against average and a.923 save percentage. He made his NHL debut with 17 saves on December 30 vs. Philadelphia.
In 23 games with the Wolf Pack this season, Johnson has posted a 13-7-2 record with a 2.02 goals against average,.929 save percentage and three shutouts. He ranks fifth in the AHL in goals against average, and is tied for fourth in shutouts, fifth in save percentage and eighth in wins. Johnson registered a season-high four-game winning streak, beginning with his first career AHL shutout on October 31 against Providence to November 7 at Bridgeport. He also notched back-to-back shutouts on November 13 vs. Manchester (26 saves) and November 14 at Worcester (35 saves). The AHL rookie made his debut with Hartford on October 9 at Providence, and recorded his first AHL win the following game on October 10 against Springfield.
The Calgary, Alberta native was originally the Pittsburgh Penguins' fifth round selection, 125th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Rangers on June 27, 2009, in exchange for a fifth round selection (Andy Bathgate) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Zaba, 26, returns to Hartford where he has posted a 2-3-1 record with a 3.59 goals against average and.884 save percentage in 10 games this season. Last season, Zaba ranked seventh in the AHL in goals against average (2.33), tied for eighth in save percentage (.920) and 12th in wins (25). He also led the league in shootout save percentage with a.930% success rate. Zaba was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for February, and he finished the regular season with a 14-2-0 mark and a 1.84 goals against average, a.937 save percentage and one shutout in his final 16 contests. He made his AHL debut on October 18, 2008, at Toronto. In addition, Zaba has dressed as Henrik Lundqvist's backup in two games with the Rangers this season.
The Yorkton, Saskatchewan native was originally the Los Angeles Kings eighth round selection, 231st overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed by the Rangers as a free agent on August 20, 2007.
The Rangers return to action tomorrow, January 12, when they will face-off against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.), in a matchup between Atlantic Division rivals. Please note there is no morning skate scheduled prior to the game. The Rangers have posted an 11-4-1 record vs. the Devils since the start of the 2007-08 season.
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