Falcons Sign Darby, Skalde, McLaren, Alexeev, Willis to AHL Contracts

September 27, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. – The Springfield Falcons, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, today announced that the club has signed forwards Craig Darby, Jarrod Skalde, Steve McLaren, Nikita Alexeev, and Shane Willis to AHL contracts.

Each player had been signed to NHL contracts by the Lightning this off-season. The players will report to Springfield on Wednesday for Falcons' training camp which will be held at the Springfield Civic Center.

"While these players were originally signed to NHL contracts by Tampa Bay, they were not assigned prior to the NHL lockout due to concerns over a pending NHLPA grievance," stated Falcons President and General Manager Bruce Landon. "As a result, the only way for them to play in Springfield this season was for the Falcons to sign them to American Hockey League contracts."

Darby, 31, ranked eighth in the AHL and led the Albany River Rats in scoring last season with 69 points (21g, 48a) in 77 games. His 48 assists were tied for fifth most in the league. In 553 AHL games during his 11-year professional career, Darby has posted 534 points (194g, 340a) and 342 penalty minutes.

Skalde, 33, who skated for the Utah Grizzlies (AHL) last season, led the club in goals (23), assists (35), and points (58) in 77 games. He ranked 22nd in the AHL in scoring. In 1999-00, the center led Utah in assists (54) and points (79) when the team played in the International Hockey League (IHL). Skalde was named an IHL First Team All-Star that season.

McLaren, 29, split time between the St. Louis Blues and Worcester IceCats (AHL) last season. The 6-0, 225-pounder collected 25 penalty minutes (PIM) and no points in six games with St. Louis last season in his first career NHL experience. He led Worcester with 146 PIM while registering three points (1g, 2a) in 35 AHL contests last season. McLaren missed 24 IceCats games due to injury during the campaign.

Alexeev, 22, was limited to 14 games with Hershey (AHL) in 2003-04 due to a shoulder injury. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound native of Murmansk, Russia recorded one assist and eight PIM with Hershey. The Lightning's first round selection, eighth overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft, Alexeev appeared in 37 games with Tampa Bay in 2002-03 scoring four goals and two assists. He played in all 11 playoff games scoring one goal that season in his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.

Willis, 27, ranked second with Hershey with 27 goals among 48 points last season despite playing just 55 games with the club. The Edmonton native also collected six assists in 12 games with the Lightning. Willis registered 32 points (16g, 16a) in 56 games with the Falcons in 2002-03. The right wing was honored as a member of the NHL All-Rookie Team for the 2000-01 season. He finished that campaign ranked second among NHL rookies in points (44) and tied for second in goals (20) while playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Falcons also expect to announce the signing of a veteran goaltender early this week.

Individual game tickets as well as season ticket packages for the Falcons' 2004-05 season are currently on sale. To order tickets for individual games, please visit the Springfield Civic Center box office or contact by phone at (413) 787-6600 or (800) 639-8602. To purchase a season ticket package or for more information, please contact the Falcons team office at (413) 739-3344.



American Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2004


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