Rangers Reassign Three To Checkers

October 7, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -The Charlotte Checkers announced that the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League have reassigned forwards Ryan Hillier, Tomas Zaborsky and defenseman Michael Busto to Charlotte.

Busto, 6-feet-1, 210 pounds entered his first professional season last year with the Charlotte Checkers. The Burnaby, B.C. native dressed in 48 games scoring four goals, 12 assists for 16 points. He played six seasons in the Western Hockey League prior to signing a free agent contract with the Rangers. He participated in both the Rangers and Hartford Wolfpack (AHL) camps before being assigned to the Checkers.

Hillier, 6-feet-0, 198 pounds, played the last four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Over those seasons, he suited up in 229 games scoring 86 goals, 104 assists for 190 points. Last season, he helped Halifax win the memorial cup by scoring eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 14 playoff games. The Halifax Nova Scotia native was selected by the Rangers in the third round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Zaborsky, 5-feet-11, 181 pounds hails from Banska Bystrica, Slovakia and was drafted by the Rangers during the fifth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He played the last two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Saginaw Spirit playing in 127 games scoring 50 goals, 63 assists for 113 points. He dressed in two games for the Wolf Pack last season registering an assist.

The Checkers are getting ready for their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Opening night will take place on Halloween against the Augusta Lynx at a special 8 p.m. start. In the team's 15-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 11 times including four consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are entering their fourth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $396. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

ECHL Stories from October 7, 2008

• Wranglers Add Forward Kilpatrick - Las Vegas Wranglers
• Derlago reassigned from Manitoba, Two more reassigned from Iowa - Bakersfield Condors
• Condors host Las Vegas in preseason action this Saturday - Bakersfield Condors
• Oilers Prospect David Rohlfs Returns - Stockton Thunder
• Grizzlies To Hold Scrimmage Friday - Utah Grizzlies
• ECHL Transactions - ECHL
• Salmon Kings Get Five From The Moose - Victoria Salmon Kings
• Gladiators Alter Training Camp Roster - Atlanta Gladiators
• Blades announce weekly coach's show dates - Florida Everblades
• Defenseman Assigned To Chiefs - Johnstown Chiefs
• Gladiators Battle Lynx in Pre Season Game - Atlanta Gladiators
• Falcons Receive Six Players from AHL - Fresno Falcons
• Nailers Red-White Game Rosters Announced - Wheeling Nailers
• Rangers Reassign Three To Checkers - Charlotte Checkers
• Bombers Ink Forward LaPointe - Dayton Bombers
• Cyclones Receive Three From Hamilton, Sign Joey Ryan - Cincinnati Cyclones
• Falcons to hold National Anthem Auditions on November 1 - Fresno Falcons
• Meet The Team Event At Hobart Arena Tonight - Dayton Bombers
• Freddie Falcon to Captain Fresno Falcons Light the Night Team on October 18th - Fresno Falcons

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.

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