AHL Rochester Americans

Florida Returns Several Back To Rochester For Playoffs

April 9, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... Rochester Americans General Manager Jody Gage announced today that the Florida Panthers have returned several players to Rochester for 2007 American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs. Among those returned to Rochester include defenseman Noah Welch, forwards Kamil Kreps, Janis Sprukts and David Booth, and goaltender Craig Anderson.

Welch returns to Rochester after receiving his second recall of the season as a member of the Florida Panthers. During his brief stint with Florida, the 6-4 defenseman appeared in two games, recording his first goal as a Panther and a plus-3 rating. Welch also played in 22 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being acquired by Florida. At the AHL level, Welch has tallied five points (2+3) in seven games with the Amerks.

Sprukts makes his way back to the Flower City after spending the past two weeks with the Florida Panthers. The Riga, Latvia, native has three points (1+2) in 13 games this season with the Panthers. Sprukts picked up his first NHL goal along with teammate Noah Welch on April 6th against the Tampa Bay Lightning. As an Amerk, Sprukts is currently third on the team with 54 points (17+37) in 55 games with Rochester.

Booth finally returns to Rochester after spending over three months in the NHL. As a Panther, Booth has appeared in 48 games, recording three goals and seven assists. The Michigan State graduate scored his first NHL goal on January 4th against the Calgary Flames. During his time in Florida, Booth also registered his first ever multi-point game with two assists on March 17th against the New York Islanders. More recently, Booth netted the game-winner on April 6th against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Booth has 11 points (5+6) in 21 games as a member of the Rochester Americans.

Kreps will don the red, white, and blue once again after spending a week with the Panthers, during which the native of the Czech Republic appeared in three games. He collected his first NHL goal on April 6th against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This season, Kreps has played in a total of 14 games with the Panthers. As a Rochester American, he has 33 points (13+20) in 49 games.

The Amerks welcome back goaltender Craig Anderson to the lineup after spending the past six weeks with Florida. During his stint with the Panthers, Anderson posted a record of 1-1-1, while recording a 2.21 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in five games. Anderson has appeared in 31 games (21-10-0) this season with Rochester, posting a 2.63 GAA and a .916 save percentage.

In addition to returning a core of the Rochester lineup, the Florida Panthers have reassigned forward David Brine, defenseman Martin Tuma, and goaltender David Shantz to the Florida Everblades (ECHL). Brine played in 22 games with Rochester this season, registering four goals and four assists. The rookie right-winger has 30 points (9+21) in 52 games with the Everblades. Tuma takes his leave from Rochester after playing in the 5-0 loss to the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday, April 7th. He has appeared in 23 total games this season for the Amerks. Shantz returns to the Everblades after participating in two games with the Amerks. The rookie goaltender posted a 1-1-0 record, a 4.51 GAA, and a save percentage of .880.

The Buffalo Sabres also recalled forward Drew Stafford earlier today after he was reassigned to the Amerks Saturday. The former University of North Dakota all-star has 27 points (13+14) in 41 games with the Sabres. Stafford was recently named the NHL Rookie of the Month for March. As an Amerk, Stafford ranks fifth on team with 44 points (22+22) in 34 games.

The Amerks visit the Toronto Marlies for only their fourth Tuesday game of the season on April 10th. The 7:30 p.m. game will be broadcast live on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK, whtk.com and B2 Networks. The contest will also be the final meeting between the two North Division rivals this season.

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