Montreal assigns seven to Hamilton
September 27, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today that the club has assigned goaltender Yann Danis, forwards Corey Locke, Jonathan Ferland, Ajay Baines, Maxim Lapierre, and Kyle Chipchura, as well as defencemen Danny Groulx to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Danis, 25, appeared in two preseason games with Montreal last week (September 20th and 22nd) and stopped 26 of the 29 shots he faced. The native of Lafontaine, Quebec, posted a record of 17-17-3 with a 2.97 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage in 39 games with Hamilton last season. Danis recorded his 47th career regular-season win as a Bulldog on April 15th, 2006, tying him with Steve Passmore for the all-time franchise record.
Locke, a 22 year-old native of Newmarket, Ontario, was Hamilton's leading scorer last season with 59 points (19-40-59) and 67 penalty minutes in 77 games.
Ferland, 23, appeared in seven games with the Montreal Canadiens last season, recording his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 3rd, 2006. In 39 games last year with the Bulldogs, the native of Ste-Marie-du-Beauce, Quebec, notched 15 points (7-8-15) and 75 penalty minutes.
Baines, 28, notched 20 points (12-8-20) and 71 penalty minutes with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals and Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in 56 games last season. The native of Kamloops, British Columbia, is a veteran of seven seasons of professional hockey and signed a two-year American Hockey League contract with Hamilton on Friday, August 4th, 2006.
Lapierre, a 21 year-old native of Saint-Leonard, Quebec, posted 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points and 214 penalty minutes in 73 games with Hamilton last season.
Chipchura, 20, appeared in eight games with the Bulldogs last season, registering three points (1-2-3) and six penalty minutes. The native of Westlock, Alberta, spent the majority of last season with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, recording 55 points (21-34-55) and 81 penalty minutes in 59 games.
Groulx, a 25 year-old native of LaSalle, Quebec, appeared in 51 games with the Kassel Huskies of the German Elite League, recording 13 points (2-11-13) and 93 penalty minutes.
The Bulldogs preseason starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. against the Toronto Mariles at the Oshawa Civic Centre in Oshawa, Ontario. Hamilton's second pre-season game will take place on Friday, September 29th at 7:30 p.m., when they will visit the Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter in Syracuse, New York, where they will combat the Crunch. The Bulldogs third pre-season contest is set for Saturday, September 30th at 4:00 p.m., when they will meet the Toronto Marlies at the Southwood Arena at the Woodstock Community Complex in Woodstock, Ontario. The 'Dogs fourth, and final pre-season match-up is scheduled for Sunday, October 1st at 4:00 p.m., when they will battle the Syracuse Crunch, at Niagara Falls Memorial Arena in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League is the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. Over 80 percent of NHL players are AHL graduates, and more than 350 AHL players were recalled to the NHL during the 2005-2006 season alone.
The Hamilton Bulldogs will open the 2006-2007 season on Friday, October 6th versus their North Division rival, the Manitoba Moose. Tickets for all 'Dogs home games (except home game #32) 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.
You can see tomorrow's NHL stars develop their skills in the AHL by purchasing 2006-2007 Hamilton Bulldogs season tickets today! Prices start at just $11 per game. For more information, please call 905-529-8500, or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2006
- Admirals Fall to Wolves in Exhibition Play - Milwaukee Admirals
- P-Bruins Drop Pre-Season Opener - Providence Bruins
- Sound Tigers top Providence for second preseason win - Bridgeport Islanders
- Kings Agree To Two-Year Contract Extension With Cloutier - Manchester Monarchs
- Rookie Leavitt writes online blog for Aeros.com - Houston Aeros
- Two players assigned to Bridgeport - Bridgeport Islanders
- Iowa Stars update - Iowa Chops
- Former Redskins Quarterback Mark Rypien to Participate in Admirals' Home Opener - Norfolk Admirals
- Aeros Training Camp Report, Day One - Houston Aeros
- Montreal assigns seven to Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- P-Bruins Open Pre-Season Schedule Tonight - Providence Bruins
- Iowa Has 18 Roster Changes - Iowa Chops
- Wild about Wardo: Minnesota signs RW - Houston Aeros
- Lightning reassign Ramo, Jones to Springfield - Springfield Falcons
- Bootland Assigned by Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
