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Salmon Kings Welcome Atherton to Blue Line

October 4, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that they have signed defenseman P.J. Atherton for the 2010-11 season.

The 6-2, 205 lb blue-liner joins the Salmon Kings after a 2009-10 season that saw him play for the Hannover Indians in the Bundesliga in Germany. In 50 games in Hannover he scored 28 points (8g-20a) while serving 153 penalty minutes.

"P.J. is an exciting signing for us," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison said. "He is a two-way d-man who can play in all situations. He will be relied upon for offense from the back-end and to bring grit and tenacity to the lineup."

The Edina, MN native split his 2008-09 campaign between the ECHL (Las Vegas Wranglers and Ontario Reign) and AHL (Grand Rapids Griffins). The majority of the year was spent in the ECHL where he combined for 23 points (9g-14a) and 28 minutes in penalties between the Wranglers and Reign in 38 games. Atherton also appeared in 16 games in Grand Rapids, scoring one goal and two assists for three points while notching 12 minutes in penalties.

The 28-year old Atherton also split the 2007-08 season between the ECHL and AHL. The majority of his campaign was spent with the ECHL's Reading Royals where he accumulated 41 points (16g-25a) and 52 minutes in penalties in 55 games played. Atherton participated in 13 contests for the Royals during the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs scoring two goals and two assists for four points with 24 penalty minutes. The defenseman also appeared in nine games for the AHL's Manchester Monarchs recording three assists and eight penalty minutes.

The sixth-round pick (#170 overall) of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft began his professional career with two seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07) in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons, totaling six points (2g-4a) and six minutes in penalties over 16 contests. He also dressed for 57 games during the 2006-07 season in the ECHL with the Johnstown Chiefs where he scored five goals and assisted on 24 others for 29 points with 50 penalty minutes.

For his professional career, Atherton has totaled 133 points (41g-92a) and 309 minutes in penalties over 241 games. He has also appeared in 20 career professional playoff games netting 10 points (3g-7a) and 34 minutes in penalties.

Atherton spent a four-year junior career in the NCAA with his hometown University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, helping lead the team to two consecutive NCAA Championships (2002-03 and 2003-04). During his time as a Golden Gopher, Atherton appeared in 106 contests, banking five goals and 12 assists for 17 points with 146 penalty minutes. He also was named as a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team in 2003-04.

Prior to going to school, the defenseman spent three seasons (1999-00 thru 2001-02) in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders where he recorded 43 points (11g-32a) and 204 minutes in penalties over 102 matches.

The Salmon Kings kick-off the 2010-11 season with two exhibition contests versus the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, October 9th and Sunday, October 10th. Admission is by donation to the TLC Fund for Kids, while hotdogs, popcorn and medium pop are available to purchase for only $1 each! Victoria opens up their regular season home schedule at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre with a three-game set versus the Ontario Reign beginning Wednesday, October 27th. Season tickets for the Salmon Kings' 2010-11 season are now on sale. Call 250-220-7889 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com to purchase yours today!



ECHL Stories from October 4, 2010


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