Falcons Swing Deadline Deals for Two AHL-Level Players

March 15, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The first-place and playoff-bound Fresno Falcons swung a pair of deals today in advance of the ECHL's 12 p.m. PST trade deadline. The team acquired centerman Scott Kelman, a former NHL 1st round draft pick, from the Gwinnett Gladiators in exchange for financial consideration and defenseman Chris Heid from the Pensacola Ice Pilots in exchange for future considerations. Both players are currently in the American Hockey League but will be included on the Falcons' playoff roster for their run at the Kelly Cup Championship.

Kelman was selected #15 overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. The fourth-year pro has spent the majority of this season with the South Division-leading Gladiators, recording 47 points (14g-33a) in 46 games. He is currently playing with the Lowell Lock Monsters, where he has five points (3g-2a) in six games, and has also seen AHL stints with the Manitoba Moose and Hershey Bears this season.

Heid, who was just called-up to the Cleveland Barons from the Ice Pilots after his AHL rights were loaned to Fresno's AHL affiliate from the Houston Aeros, has spent all year in Pensacola. The former 3rd round draft pick of the Minnesota Wild has 20 points (4g-16a) and 69 penalty minutes this season with the Ice Pilots.

"As a first round draft pick in the NHL, Scott Kelman clearly has a ton of talent and we're excited to add both his skill and size up the middle on our top line," said Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas. "In Chris Heid, we're getting a defenseman with good size who can move the puck and has the added experience of playing a lot of games at the next level."

Thomas continued, "The other key component of both of these deals is that we didn't have to move anyone off our roster right now. I didn't think it would be fair to any of our current players, who have worked so hard to keep us in first place all season, not to give them the opportunity to help us win a championship. That said, you're always looking to improve your hockey club, and I believe we did that in a big way today with the acquisitions of Scott and Chris."

Fresno plays the first of three games in a row against the Long Beach Ice Dogs tonight at Long Beach Arena at 7 p.m. The game can be heard live beginning at 6:45 p.m. with the FutureTek Pre-game Show on 1550 Sporting News Radio. **Note: B2 Networks will not be carrying the game this evening.

The top two teams in the Pacific Division then return to Fresno for a pair of match-ups at Save Mart Center this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. The Falcons will be wearing green jerseys during both games to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, which will be auctioned off following Saturday's tilt to benefit Community Food Bank.

The first 2,500 fans at Friday's game will receive a commemorative St. Patrick's Day puck courtesy of Supercuts, KSEE 24, and 95.7 The Fox, while the first 2,000 fans at Saturday's contest will go home with a Fraser Clair bobblehead doll courtesy of Citizen's Business Bank, CBS 47, and Y101.

Individual tickets are on sale now for both games at all Ticketmaster outlets and Save Mart Center's box office with prices ranging from $8 - $23. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, visit www.fresnofalcons.com/singletickets.html, or contact the Falcons front office directly at (559) 485-PUCK (7825).



ECHL Stories from March 15, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central