Laplante traded, Weingartner suspended
January 28, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder continued shaking up their roster today, trading goaltender Sebastien Laplante to the Colorado Eagles for goaltender Marco Emond, forward Mike Lukajic and future considerations.
Emond, a 10th-year pro out of Valleyfield, Quebec, brings impressive numbers to the Thunder, including a stellar 13-3-0 record this season. Emond (pronounced EE-mond) went 28-8-0 with a .919 save percentage last season, and then guided the Eagles to the 2007 CHL Title, notching nine postseason wins.
Emond began his pro career in 1998 with the CHL's Topeka ScareCrows. He also enjoyed a stint with the CHL's Laredo Bucks in 2003-04, going 22-4-3 with a 2.10 goals against average and guiding the Bucks to the 2004 CHL Title. Over his pro career, Emond has compiled an impressive mark of 158-83-16.
A fourth-year pro out of Mississauga, Ontario, Lukajic (pronounced LOO-kuh-chick) broke into the CHL in impressive fashion, notching 33 goals and 53 points with the Topeka Tarantulas in 2004-05. In 21 games with the Eagles this season, he notched seven goals and 11 points. For his pro career Lukajic has scored 61 goals in 147 games.
Laplante departs the Thunder after two-and-a-half seasons in which he compiled 52 wins in 108 appearances. This season, Laplante has gone 10-11-0 with a 3.13 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.
"Sebastien approached me asking for a trade and we did the best we could to accommodate his request", said Thunder head coach Rob Weingartner. "It is a win-win situation for us, acquiring a goaltender with two CHL Titles under his belt, a player that has the ability to score some goals, as well as futures."
The Thunder will return to action on Wednesday without Weingartner, who was suspended one game by the CHL for his actions on Sunday versus Tulsa. Injured forward Mike Batovanja (pronounced bat-uh-VAN-juh) will be behind the bench when the Thunder face the Austin Ice Bats at 7:38 p.m.
The Thunder will return home this weekend to host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. For more information or to order tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2008
- Laplante traded, Weingartner suspended - Wichita Thunder
- Colorado Trades for Goaltender Sebastien Laplante - Colorado Eagles
- Shots from the Point - CHL
- SteelHounds weekly - Youngstown SteelHounds
- DeCaro Again Named CHL Goalie of the Week - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Nelson's Strong Week Earns Him League Honors - Colorado Eagles
- HOUND DEFENSEMAN EXPECTED TO MAKE FULL RECOVERY - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Oakley CHL Player/Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Hounds Introduce Dollar Beer Nights In February - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Ice Bats Split Weekend Games, Still In Playoff Hunt - Austin Ice Bats
- Eagles Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Kiyaga on coach's show - Tulsa Oilers
- Rocky Mountain Rage Weekly Update - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Oilers Host Colorado Then To Texas - Tulsa Oilers
- Rayz Round-Up Live From Beamer's Returns Tonight - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Rayz Change Game Date And Time - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bucks Have Three-Game Homestand This Week: Fireworks Saturday - Laredo Bucks
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