Knights, Admirals Swap Players

Published on February 15, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


Omaha, NE - The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights announced today that defenseman Brandon Rogers has been re-assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. In exchange, center Ajay Baines has been assigned to the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights by the Chicago Blackhawks, the National Hockey League affiliate of the Admirals. Baines is expected to join the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in time for their game against the San Antonio Rampage on Thursday at the Civic Auditorium. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Baines is in his seventh professional season. He has four goals and four assists for eight points in 32 games this season for Norfolk. He also has 45 penalty minutes. He became the Admirals' all-time leading scorer in his 400th AHL game when he had a goal and an assist against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on January 13, 2006. Baines has spent the last six seasons with the Admirals and served as the team's captain since the 2002-03 campaign. In 409 career AHL games, the native of Kamloops, British Columbia has 68 goals and 107 assists for 175 points and 456 penalty minutes. He set career highs during the 2001-02 season when he played in all 80 games, scoring 16 goals and adding 28 assists for 44 points.

Baines broke into professional hockey in 1999-00. He played that season for the Greenville Grrrowl of the ECHL, scoring 24 goals and 31 assists for 55 points in 67 games. Prior to turning pro, he played four years for the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League, scoring 113 goals and 129 assists for 242 points in 282 games. He also had 382 penalty minutes.

Rogers is in his first pro season. The native of Rochester, New Hampshire has eight assists in 42 games this year. He also has 24 penalty minutes. Prior to this season, Rogers played four years at the University of Michigan, totaling 18 goals and 59 assists for 77 points in 159 games. He also had 211 penalty minutes.

Following Thursday's game with the Rampage, the Knights embark on their longest road trip of the season, five games over nine days. The Knights will begin the trip with a pair of games at Hamilton on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. CT and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. CT. The Knights then visit Manchester on Wednesday, February 22, Rochester on Friday, February 24th and Toronto on Saturday, February 25th. All road games can be heard live on 1420 AM KOTK and on the internet at omahaaksarbenknights.com. The game can also be seen on-line by clicking the link to B2 Networks on the home page.

Tickets for all home games are available at the Civic Auditorium box office, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The box office is open through the opening face-off on game nights. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet, by phone at (402) 422-1212 or at Ticketmaster.com. Group tickets for the game may be purchased through the Knights office or by calling (402) 344-4625.



American Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2006


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