ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors trade for defensemen

March 4, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors acquired D Andrew Andricopoulos and D Derrick Byfuglien from the South Carolina Stingrays in exchange for F Todd Griffith today, as announced by Head Coach Marty Raymond.

Andricopoulos (AN-druh-KAH-puh-LUHS), 20, has played 49 games for the Stingrays this season, his first in professional hockey, picking up six points (2g-4a) and 19 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot, 201-pound native of Beverly, Massachusetts spent four seasons from 2003 to 2007 with the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 259 games with the Remparts, he notched 118 points (26g-92a) and 238 penalty minutes.

Byfuglien (BUHF-lihn), 27, appeared in 34 games for South Carolina after starting the season with the Pensacola Ice Pilots. In 54 total games this year, he has dished out five assists and has 78 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 197-pound native of Roseau, Minnesota is in his fifth year of professional hockey, all of which have been in the ECHL. He started his career with the Florida Everblades in 2001-02, and has suited up for eight different teams since then. In 270 career games, he has recorded 56 points (13g-43a) and 363 penalty minutes. Byfuglien was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, and played two seasons with the Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks (USHL) and one year split between the University of North Dakota and the Erie Otters (OHL) prior to turning pro.

"We're in dire need of defensemen," Raymond said. "With this trade, we get a good young player and an experienced player as well. We are not going to get to the playoffs without solid defensive play."

Griffith suited up in 43 games for Bakersfield this season, tallying 29 points (13g-16a) and 90 penalty minutes.

Notes from The Nest:

The Condors return home this weekend after a pair of road games in Phoenix and Las Vegas to host the Idaho Steelheads Saturday night. SpongeBob Squarepants will bring his nautical nonsense to The Nest to entertain fans of all ages, courtesy of Bright House Networks, 101.5 KGFM and Diamond Technologies. Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m.

Saturday is also a Bright House Networks Family Night, where all subscribers receive $7.00 admission per person by presenting the coupon available in your cable bill.

March Monday Madness continues on Monday, March 10 when the Condors face off against the Steelheads for the second straight game. In addition to all the craziness of March Monday Madness, it will be Extinct Team Night. Fans wearing jerseys of a professional sports team that no longer exists will receive $1 admission.

The first 2,000 fans on Monday will also receive the second magnet, featuring Tim Konsorada, of the five-piece March Monday Madness Magnet Collectors Series. A new magnet is handed out at each March Monday Madness game.

Individual game tickets are on sale and may be purchased through Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on game days. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322-2525, online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location.

Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 4, 2008


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