Rangers Recall Chad Johnson From Wolf Pack, Assign Matt Zaba
December 12, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
New York, December 12, 2009 - New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that goaltender Chad Johnson has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), and goaltender Matt Zaba has been assigned to Hartford.
Johnson, 23, has appeared in 19 games with Hartford this season, posting a 10-7-1 record with a 2.21 goals against average,.922 save percentage and three shutouts. He is currently tied for second in the AHL in shutouts, seventh in wins, and ranks 10th in goals against average and save percentage. Johnson registered a season-high four-game winning streak, beginning with his first career AHL shutout on October 31 against Providence to November 7 at Bridgeport. He also notched back-to-back shutouts on November 13 vs. Manchester (26 saves) and November 14 at Worcester (35 saves). The AHL rookie made his debut with Hartford on October 9 at Providence, and recorded his first AHL win the following game on October 10 against Springfield. In addition, Johnson has dressed as Henrik Lundqvist's backup in three games with the Rangers this season.
The Calgary, Alberta native was originally the Pittsburgh Penguins' fifth round selection, 125th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Rangers on June 27, 2009, in exchange for a fifth round selection (Andy Bathgate) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Zaba, 26, returns to Hartford where he has posted a 1-2-1 record with a 4.16 goals against average and.867 save percentage in eight games this season. Last season, he ranked seventh in the AHL in goals against average (2.33), tied for eighth in save percentage (.920) and 12th in wins (25). He also led the league in shootout save percentage with a.930% success rate. Zaba was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for February, and he finished the regular season with a 14-2-0 mark and a 1.84 goals against average, a.937 save percentage and one shutout in his final 16 contests. He made his AHL debut on October 18, 2008, at Toronto.
The Yorkton, Saskatchewan native was originally the Los Angeles Kings eighth round selection, 231st overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed by the Rangers as a free agent on August 20, 2007.
The Blueshirts return to action tonight when they will face off against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.). The game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio.
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