Montreal Acquires Defenceman Brent Sopel and Forward Nigel Dawes from Atlanta
February 24, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
MONTREAL, QC - The Montreal Canadiens announced today that the team has acquired defenceman Brent Sopel and forward Nigel Dawes from the Atlanta Thrashers, in return for forward Ben Maxwell and a 4th round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Sopel will join the Canadiens tonight, while Dawes will report to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Sopel, 34, played in 59 of the Thrashers 61 games this season, recording seven points (two goals, five assists) and 16 penalty minutes. Sopel currently ranks second on the team, first among defencemen with a +7 rating and ranks second on the club, seventh in the NHL with 130 blocked shots. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defenceman, who won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, is in his 11th NHL season. Since he first joined the NHL back in 1998-1999, Sopel has amassed a total of 218 regular season points (44 goals, 174 assists) in 647 regular season games with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago and Atlanta. The native of Calgary, Alberta was drafted in the 6th round, 144th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.
Dawes, 26, played in nine games with the Thrashers in 2010-2011, his fourth NHL season. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound forward recorded one assist. He is currently fourth in scoring with the Chicago Wolves with 44 points (27 goals, 17 assists) in 47 games. He led the team and ranks third in the AHL in goals. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba has played a total of 208 career regular season games in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and Atlanta Thrashers registering 84 points (39 goals, 45 assists) and 43 penalty minutes. In 213 career AHL games with the Hartford Wolf Pack and Chicago Wolves, Dawes has posted 205 points (103 goals, 102 assists) and 69 penalty minutes.
Maxwell, 22, recorded 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) and 32 penalty minutes in 47 games with the 'Dogs this season. The native of North Vancouver, British Columbia was held scoreless in 20 combined games with the Canadiens during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons. The 6-foot, 185-pound centre was drafted by Montreal in the 2nd round, 49th overall at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
The Bulldogs will host Adirondack Phantoms at Bell Centre in Montreal for a 7:30 p.m. game on Friday, February 25th. All regular season Hamilton Bulldogs broadcasts on AM 820 CHAM will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
Tickets for all Hamilton Bulldogs home games (with the exception of the February 25th game at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec) are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or through charge-by-phone at 905-527-7666. For more information on 'Dogs season tickets, flex packs, mini packs and group tickets call 905-529-8500 ext. 179 or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.
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