AHL Norfolk Admirals

David Koci Returns For Round 2 With Admirals

Published on February 28, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


TAMPA, FL - Norfolk Admirals General Manager Claude Loiselle today announced that the Admirals have acquired forward David Koci ("KOH-chee") on loan from the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks. In addition, Loiselle announced that the Admirals' NHL parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, have loaned Norfolk defenseman Justin Fletcher to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.

Koci, 25, is a 6'6", 238 lb. forward from Prague, Czech Republic. The seventh-year pro has registered 1,074 penalty minutes as a professional. He has spent the majority of the season with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks where he registered nearly four penalty minutes per game. The NHL heavyweight has 156 penalty minutes in 27 NHL games over the past two seasons.

Last season, Koci was a fan favorite as an Admiral, appearing in 44 games with a team-high 223 penalty minutes. In seven games with the Rockford IceHogs this season, Koci had 25 penalty minutes. In 245 career AHL games with Rockford, Norfolk and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Koci has three goals and 20 assists with 1,018 penalty minutes.

In 18 games with the Chicago Blackhawks this season, Koci had 68 penalty minutes. Koci made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks last season. He appeared in nine games with Chicago in 2006-07 going scoreless with 88 penalty minutes - 42 minutes coming in his first game on March 31 at Phoenix.

Koci was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He played one season at Prince George in the Western Hockey League.

Fletcher, 24, is a 5'11", 185-pound rookie defenseman from Maryville, Illinois. In 39 games with Norfolk this season, Fletcher has one goal and four assists with 37 penalty minutes. He made his professional debut last season on an Amateur Tryout Contract with the Springfield Falcons, notching three goals and one assist with four penalty minutes in ten games. In 49 career American Hockey League games, Fletcher has four goals and five assists with 41 penalty minutes.

Fletcher signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay on May 7, 2007. The undrafted blueliner finished his collegiate career with St. Cloud State University last season, amassing 26 goals and 60 assists for 86 points in 143 games over four seasons.

The Admirals will continue their nine-game road trip with three games this weekend - Friday in Hartford, Saturday in Lowell and Sunday in Worcester. Join your fellow Admirals fans at Baxter's Sports Lounge in Downtown Norfolk on Friday night for another Admirals B2 Night at Baxter's. Watch the Admirals square off against Pierre Parenteau and the rest of the Hartford Wolf Pack on the big screen starting at 7:00 p.m. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

The Admirals will return to Scope on March 7 to face off against their East Division rivals, the Philadelphia Phantoms. To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets, please stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2008


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