Roster Shuffle Precedes Three Game Weekend
January 27, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, CT - The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, have announced six different transactions. Goaltender Nick Boucher was released from his professional tryout contract Wednesday, defenseman Joel Bouchard was recalled by the Islanders while Jeff Hamilton returned from the big club Thursday, defenseman Dave Karpa has left the Sound Tigers after the expiration his PTO, forward Travis Brigley was reassigned by the Islanders to the AHL's Springfield Falcons while defenseman Harlan Pratt was sent to the Sound Tigers from Springfield Friday afternoon.
Boucher signed with the Sound Tigers Wednesday and dressed as the backup in their 4-3 shootout win on the road over the AHL-leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He returned to the United Hockey League's Elmira Jackals following Wednesday's game.
Bouchard made his Islanders debut in their 4-3 shootout win at home over the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday after posting three goals, four assists, seven points and six penalty minutes in ten AHL games with the Sound Tigers after returning from a serious shoulder injury that kept him out of 35 of the team's first 36 games this season. With Thursday's appearance in Long Island, Bouchard is now one of only five players to skate for all three of the New York City area NHL teams: the Islanders, the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils.
Hamilton returned to Connecticut in time for Friday's morning skate after posting two goals, six assists and eight points in 13 NHL games with the Islanders, as well as 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points and 14 penalty minutes in 19 games with the Sound Tigers this season. He also returns to the Sound Tigers having notched points in 12 straight AHL games, with ten goals and 12 assists during the run which is the second-longest, active streak in the league.
Pratt, 27, posted nine assists and 14 penalty minutes in 37 AHL games with the Falcons this season. The 6'1'' 190-pounder from Redwater, Alberta was selected fifth, 124th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of five seasons (1994-99) of major junior in the Western Hockey League with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Red Deer Rebels, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats and Portland Winterhawks. Pratt's professional career has spanned eight seasons (1998-2006) in the East Coast, International and American Hockey Leagues, as well as Finland and Italy. He has skated for the ECHL's Toledo Storm, Florida Everblades and Pensacola Ice Pilots; the IHL's Cincinnati Cyclones; TPS Turku in Finland; Merano in Italy and the Lowell Lock Monsters, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Springfield in the AHL. Pratt is expected to join the Sound Tigers in time for a pair of home games this weekend.
Karpa signed with the Sound Tigers in early December and posted four assists and 44 penalty minutes in 22 games. Brigley signed as a free agent with the Islanders last summer and posted seven goals, ten assists, 17 points and 28 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Sound Tigers this season.
Following Friday's road game versus the Providence Bruins, the Sound Tigers will return to Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard to host the Philadelphia Phantoms this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. on Wade Dubielewicz Bobblehead giveaway night and the Syracuse Crunch this Sunday at 4:05 p.m. on Islanders 25th Anniversary puck giveaway night.
All Sound Tigers games are web-cast live at www.soundtigers.com. Fans can also watch all games live on the B2 Networks. Information about Sound Tigers ticket packages and promotions is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or emailing info@soundtigers.com.
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