AHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Reassign Welch; Release Christiansen, Hayward

February 24, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs, the primary affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, have returned on loan right wing Dan Welch to their ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals. In addition, the Monarchs have released forwards Doug Christiansen and Leon Hayward from their professional tryout agreements. Monarchs director of hockey operations Hubie McDonough announced all three moves on Thursday.

Welch, 24, has appeared in 41 games with the Monarchs this season. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound native of Hastings, Minnesota, has eight points (3-5=8) and 30 penalty minutes in the 41 games. Selected by the Kings in the eighth-round (245th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Welch returns to the Royals, where he has six points (3-3=6) and four penalty minutes in four games this season. Welch, a third year pro, has 30 points (12-18=30) and 70 penalty minutes in 114 career games with the Monarchs over the last three seasons.

Christiansen, 26, has no points and seven penalty minutes in two games with the Monarchs this season. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, also has 33 points (15-18=33) and 101 penalty minutes in 55 games with the Danbury Trashers of the United Hockey League this season.

Hayward, 25, has no points and no penalty minutes in three games with the Monarchs this season. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound native of Seattle, Washington, also has 19 points (8-11=19) and 78 penalty minutes in the 25 games with the Trenton Titans of the ECHL and three points (1-2=3) and 27 penalty minutes in 21 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL). Hayward, who played four seasons with the Northeastern University Huskies (15-15=30 in 132 career games) before turning to the pro game in 2001-02, has 11 points (3-8=11) and 45 penalty minutes in 52 career games with the Monarchs over three seasons (2002-05).

The Monarchs return to action when they travel to Hartford to meet the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Hartford Civic Center at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, February 26. The game against the Wolf Pack will be the third of four straight on the road for the Monarchs, who return to the Verizon Wireless Arena to host the Worcester IceCats on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:05 p.m.

Mullet Night – The Final Cut: The Manchester Monarchs will pay homage to "hockey hair" one last time when they host the Worcester IceCats at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Tuesday, March 1. On hand for this sad but historic event will be former Mullet Hall of Fame winners Barry Melrose, a former coach of the Kings and current ESPN personality, and The Hanson Brothers, immortalized as members of the Charlestown Chiefs in the classic hockey movie, "Slap Shot."

Ticket Availability: Single seats in the Gold Level and 1,850 seats in the Silver level remain for Tuesday's game against the IceCats.

Tickets for Mullet Night - The Final Cut, sponsored by TRIMZ Family Haircut Center, are on sale now and may be purchased at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office. Individual tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (603) 868-7300, or by visiting Ticketmaster on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information about Mullet Night – The Final Cut, contact the Monarchs at (603) 626-7825 or visit the Monarchs on-line at www.monarchshockey.com.

Mullet Night - The Final Cut

Tuesday, March 1 @ 7:05 p.m. vs. Worcester IceCats*

*The first 5,000 fans attending the game will receive free mullets courtesy of Trimz Family Haircut Center



American Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2005


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