Jackals welcome Poirier in blockbuster trade
Published on February 17, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
The Elmira Jackals, proud member of the United Hockey League, announced today a trade that brings defenseman Simon Poirier to Elmira and sends center Mike Thompson to Quad City and defenseman Mike Prochazka to Port Huron.
The deal was a three-way agreement with the following transactions. The Jackals sent defenseman Mike Prochazka and captain Mike Thompson to Port Huron for defenseman Simon Poirier and a 3rd round pick in the Amateur Draft. Port Huron then dealt Thompson to Quad City for the rights of defenseman Wade Winkler. Winkler, who has played with the Beacons all season long, was on loan from the Mallards, who expected Winkler to be returned.
"Thompson had a no trade clause in his contract," said Jackals Head Coach Todd Brost. "Quad City has been interested in him for a long time; he was willing to waive that clause based on the way the season was going, but he didn't want to be traded to another team in the Eastern Conference." Brost continued, "It was a situation of having too many forwards. I was probably going to have to release him at some point, but I owed it to him to get him where he wanted to go. Mike has been an outstanding leader and a perfect role model during his stay here in Elmira. We wish him the best in Quad City."
Thompson was the Jackals captain since the 2001-02 season, leading the team to the Colonial Cup Finals in that year. Last season the 30-year old had 22 goals and 26 assists (48 points) along with 98 PIMs over 76 games. He had thirteen points (six goals and seven assists) and 56 penalty minutes in 43 games this season for Elmira.
Prochazka had been out of the lineup for the past week, suspected to have contracted mononucleosis. The defenseman had 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists), 20 PIMs and was +5 in 44 games for the Jackals.
"Chemistry wise, it wasn't working out with Prochazka," said Coach Brost. "Defensively we needed to get a little bigger and a little more solid and I think Poirier will be a good fit. We've played against Poirier for three years now. He's a strong, defensive, solid guy that can be relied upon; probably a more physical version of an Anthony Cappelletti-type D-man."
At 6'1" 219 lbs, 24-year old Simon Poirier brings some much needed size to the Jackals blue line crew. In 36 games for the Beacons Poirier had two goals and five assists, along with being +3 and claiming 51 minutes in penalties.
With Thompson's departure the Jackals will have a new on-ice leader for the first time in nearly three years. Defenseman Trevor Burgess will don the "C" and becomes just the third captain in Jackals franchise history. Burgess had worn an "A" on his shoulder thus far this season. In concordance with the promotion, left wing Jamie Thompson has been added as an alternate captain, joining defenseman Kris Mallette.
The Jackals will not wait long to see Thompson with a different sweater; the team makes their only trip to Quad City in two weeks for games on February 27th and 28th. Elmira does not play Port Huron again until March 19th and 20th at the First Arena.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 17, 2004
- Flint wraps up long road swing - Flint Generals
- Quad City's Williams and Fort Wayne's St. Pierre earn weekly honors - IHL 2
- Big Trade Brings Prochazka To Port Huron - Port Huron Flags
- Jeff Williams Named UHL Player of the Week - Quad City Mallards
- St. Pierre nets Goaltender of the Week - Fort Wayne Komets
- Fury sign center Joe Day - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Family Skate with the Jackals - Elmira Jackals
- Captain Morgan's Hockey Hour - Elmira Jackals
- Mallards Add Scoring Threat Mike Thompson - Quad City Mallards
- Missouri's Troy Mann suspended for 10 games - IHL 2
- Jackals welcome Poirier in blockbuster trade - Elmira Jackals
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