ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Trade For Blueliner Saunders

October 31, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - General manager and head coach of the Charlotte Checkers Derek Wilkinson announced today that the team has received defenseman Nathan Saunders from Stockton completing the trade that sent forward Jeff Kyrzakos to the Thunder last week.

Saunders, a fourth round selection (119th overall) of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, played in 31 games last year for the Johnstown Chiefs scoring six points (1g-5a) while adding 79 penalty minutes. Saunders, who was acquired with defenseman Brett Skinner by the Boston Bruins from Anaheim in exchange for forward Mark Mowers on September 24, 2007, also earned a stint with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League, netting one goal in 13 games while tallying 21 penalty minutes. This season, he dressed in four games for the Thunder but didn't register a point.

The 6-foot-3, 228-pound blueliner participated in training camps with the Ducks while performing under an NHL contract and was selected to play in the 2006 Pacific Division Rookie Tournament, annually staging top prospects from the Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks. For four seasons (2001-05) of his junior hockey career, Saunders excelled on the back-end for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, scoring 87 points (14g-73a) while amassing 794 penalty minutes in 261 career games.

The Checkers are playing their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Opening night will take place on Halloween against the Augusta Lynx at a special 8 p.m. start. In the team's 15-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 11 times including four consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are entering their fourth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $396. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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