ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Agree To Terms With Falardeau

Published on October 3, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - General manager and head coach of the Charlotte Checkers, Derek Wilkinson, announced today that the club has agreed to terms with Lee Falardeau. Also, the New York Rangers have reassigned goaltenders Chris Holt and Matt Zaba and forward Bruce Graham to the Checkers while Mike Ouellette has been reassigned to Charlotte by the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Drafted by the Rangers in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Falardeau has split parts of three seasons with both the Checkers and the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.

Last season, Falardeau skated in 27 games with the Checkers and totaled eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. That same season, he played 16 games with the Wolf Pack garnering one goal and two assists for three points. The Midland, Mich. native had his best offensive campaign with Charlotte during the 2004-05 season when he registered 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points which was good for fifth in team scoring.

Wilkinson says he is happy that the big 6-foot-4, 215 pound winger is returning to Charlotte, "Lee is a great addition to our team. He will bring size, strength and leadership."

Holt, born in South Surrey, British Columbia, will be entering his third season as the Checkers netminder. Playing in 45 games last season for Charlotte, he managed a record of 24-18-2 while keeping a 3.15 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. Holt, a sixth round draft pick of the Rangers in 2003, played six games for the Wolf Pack last season with a 2.00 goals against average and .918 save percentage.

Zaba, drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, spent the last four seasons with the Colorado College Tigers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The native of Yorkton, Saskatchewan posted a 15-13-4 record along with a 2.39 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. His .917 save percentage tied for sixth in the WCHA. Zaba participated in both the Rangers and Wolf Pack training camps this year.

Graham will be entering his third season with the Checkers. Drafted by the Rangers in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Graham knotted 33 goals and 23 assists for 56 points and 83 penalty minutes. Last season, he played seven games with the Wolf Pack scoring one assist.

Ouellette played in 69 games for Charlotte last season scoring 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points. The Kamloops, British Columbia forward attended the Hartford training camp this season before being reassigned to Charlotte.

Wilkinson also announced that forward, Randy Johnston from Toronto, Ontario would be joining the team on a tryout basis.

The Checkers enter their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL on Oct. 19 against the Columbia Inferno. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers will enter their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena this fall. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $399. Partial plans as well as single-game tickets are also on sale. Single-game tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-495-2295. For more ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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