Laich Makes NHL Debut
Published on February 2, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
SEATTLE, February 2, 2004 â The Ottawa Senators today recalled forward Brooks Laich from the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Laich, 20, will make his NHL debut Tuesday night, February 3, as the Senators face off against the New Jersey Devils in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Laich was the Seattle Thunderbirds 2002-03 Team MVP after leading Seattle in scoring during the regular season. Laich had 41 goals and 53 assists for 94 points in only 60 games, good for sixth in the league in scoring. Laich won a silver medal as a member of Team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He had two assists in the gold medal game, which Team Canada lost to Team Russia 3-2. Laich had the longest point streak in the WHL during the 2002-03 season. He had a 22-game point streak with 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points.
In two seasons with Seattle, Laich played in 107 games, scoring 152 points on 63 goals and 89 assists. He had 107 penalty minutes and was a plus-48 in those two seasons.
Laich was a 6th round pick, 193rd overall, of the Senators in the 2001 NHL entry draft.
In his first professional season, Laich has 23 points, on 12 goals and 11 assists, 10 penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating in 37 games with Binghamton. He is currently tied for third in goals and fifth in points with Binghamton. Earlier this season, Laich missed 10 games, from December 5 to 28, due to injury.
In the month of January, Laich collected 12 points with Binghamton, on seven goals and five assists, in 14 games, including two game-winning goals and his first two two-goal games of his professional career.
The Thunderbirds are nine points out of the playoffs. Seattle has won two of their last three games and continues their drive towards the playoffs against the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday night in Vancouver at 7 p.m. The Thunderbirds next home game is Friday against the Portland Winter Hawks at KeyArena at 7 p.m.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2004
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- Two Former Chiefs Part of Miracle - Spokane Chiefs
- Laich Makes NHL Debut - Seattle Thunderbirds
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- Brandon Wheat Kings Game Notes - Brandon Wheat Kings
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