Iowa Stars Recall One, Send One to ECHL
Published on January 18, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release
DES MOINES, IA - Iowa Stars Director of Hockey Operations Scott White announced this evening that the Iowa Stars have recalled Forward J.B. Bittner from the their ECHL affiliate, the Idaho Steelheads. Iowa has also loaned forward Tuomas Mikkonen back to the Steelheads.
Bittner rejoins Iowa after appearing in three games for the Steelheads. He had three goals and two assists in those three games: 3(3/2/5). He originally joined the Iowa Stars on January 1st as part of the Greg Amadio trade and after playing 30 games with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL and two games with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL). While not able to record a point with Portland, the 24-year-old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-native has notched 11 goals, 19 assists and 26 penalty minutes with the Lynx: 30(11/19/30)26. Last season, the 5-11, 181-pounder recorded 10 goals and 29 assists in 51 games for the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL, five goals and three assists in 21 games for Portland and one goal in two games for the Syracuse Crunch.
He did not record a point in his lone game for Iowa.
Mikkonen made his only appearance in an Iowa uniform this past Tuesday and recorded zero points. Prior to being recalled by Iowa, he played 30 games with the Steelheads scoring seven goals and adding six assists for 13 points: 30(7/6/13). Listed at 6-2 and 215-pounds, the Jyvaskyla, Finland native was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the eighth round, 243rd overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
For the past five seasons, the Left Winger played in his hometown of Jyvaskyla for JyP HT Jyvaskyla in the Finnish Elite League. In 190 games with JyP HT Jyvaskyla, Mikkonen had 21 goals and 17 assists for 38 points while compiling 103 PIM's: 190(21/17/38). During the 2002-2003 season, he was a member of the bronze medal winning Finnish Jr. National Team during the World Junior Championships that took place in Nova Scotia.
IOWA STARS INFO: The Stars hit the road for a game in Omaha Friday night before hosting the Peoria Rivermen on Saturday, January 20th. The first 2,500 fans will receive a trading card set of the 2006-07 Iowa Stars. Following the game, the entire team will participate in a FREE autograph session for all fans in attendance. It is also Shooter's Birthday! Game time is 7:00 PM. Doors open for all home games one hour before face-off. Bring a group or hold your child's birthday at a Stars game! All ticketing information can be obtained by calling 515-23-STARS or by visiting IowaStarsHockey.com.
American Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2007
- Evans to Appear as one of 25 Greatest Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- NHL center assigned to Iowa - Iowa Chops
- Kings Assign Murray To Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Dallas and Iowa swap players - Iowa Chops
- Iowa Stars Recall One, Send One to ECHL - Iowa Chops
- Minnesota recalls RW Ward - Houston Aeros
- Aeros Charities News - Houston Aeros
- Rinne Scheduled to Return to the Ice for Admirals - Milwaukee Admirals
- Falcons Recall Smolenak From Chiefs - Springfield Falcons
- Griffins Welcome American Idol's Ace Young - Grand Rapids Griffins
- B-Sens release Collymore - Binghamton Senators
- 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic telecase to reach over 100 million homes - AHL
- Bronwell Blog: Planes, Trains and Automobiles - Houston Aeros
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.
