Sports stats



Five added to IceCats Camp

September 28, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester IceCats News Release


WORCESTER, MA – St. Louis Blues Senior Vice President and General Manager Larry Pleau today announced that the club assigned goaltenders Curtis Sanford and Reinhard Divis, defensemen Tom Koivisto and Mike Stuart and forward Igor Valeev to the Worcester IceCats.

Sanford paced the IceCats last season with 41 appearances in goal, posting a career high 18 wins with the ‘Cats. Sanford also had a 2.41 goals against average, eighth-best in the AHL. The 23 year old netminder made his NHL debut on October 17th, 2002 vs. Columbus and subsequently made his first career NHL start and earned his first NHL win on October 19th versus the Dallas Stars. Sanford earned five victories with the Blues last season, winning four of them in succession.

The 28 year old Divis missed a majority of the 2002-2003 season with an injury. In nine contests with the ‘Cats, he had six wins and one loss. Born in Vienna, Austria, Divis was the first Austrian-born player to appear in an NHL game, when he made his first NHL debut, in relief, against Colorado on April 7, 2002. The 6-0 backstop earned his first NHL win, in his first career start, on October 15, 2002 against the Carolina Hurricanes. In 64 career games with the IceCats, Divis has a record of 34-21-5 with a 2.55 GAA and .906 save percentage.

Drafted by the St. Louis Blues with their 8th choice, 253rd overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Koivisto began the 2002-2003 season with the Blues, before being loaned to the IceCats on January 7, 2003. Koivisto skated in 47 games with the ‘Cats, notching four goals and 13 assists: 47(4/13/17). Named the 2002 Finnish Elite League Best Defenseman, he also was a Finnish Elite League All-Star Team member. The Turku, Finland native had two goals and four assists in 22 games with the St. Louis Blues last year.

Mike Stuart participated in 41 games with the IceCats last year and 19 with the club's ECHL affiliate, the Peoria (IL) Rivermen. His 2002-2003 IceCats totals reflect one goal and five assists: 41(1/5/6). He notched his first career AHL goal in Manchester on March 28th. While with the Rivermen, the former Colorado College blueliner registered two goals and seven assists in 19 games: 19(2/7/9). Stuart was named the IceCats 2002-2003 Seven Hills 7th Player of the Year.

In 79 games with the IceCats, the 5-11, 210 pound forward Valeev registered six goals, 12 assists and 153 penalty minutes: 79(6/12/18)153. The feisty left winger led the ‘Cats with those 153 penalty minutes. He was the second choice of the Blues, 122nd overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

The Blues currently have 30 players in camp – 17 forwards, 11 defensemen and two goaltenders.

The IceCats will open their 2003-2004 season at home on Saturday, October 11th against the Providence Bruins. Season ticket packages are on sale now at the IceCats offices, located at 105 Commercial Street in downtown Worcester. For more information, please contact an IceCats ticket representative at 1-800-830-CATS.

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2003


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.

Other Recent Worcester IceCats Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central