Sharks Acquire Ekman in Trade
August 12, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release
SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks Vice President and Assistant General Manager and Cleveland Barons G.M. Wayne Thomas announced today that the club had acquired left wing Nils Ekman from the N.Y. Rangers in exchange for forward Chad Wiseman.
Ekman, 27, finished the 2002-03 season as the Hartford Wolf Pack's (American Hockey League) leading scorer among all players scoring points in a Hartford uniform with 66 points (30 goals, 36 assists) in 57 games. In the final scoring totals Ekman was second behind Cory Larose, who posted 75 total points, but only 19 with Hartford after a late season trade. Ekman finished first on the team in goals and assists and second in power-play goals.
"This is a great opportunity for both our organization and for Nils," said Thomas. "He is deserving of a chance to contribute and our scouts have been following his progress for some time. Now, it is up to him to seize this opportunity and make the most of it."
In 2001-02, Ekman played in 38 games with Djurgardens IF Stockholm of the Swedish Elite League, scoring 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) and 57 penalty minutes. He ranked first on the team in goals and third on overall scoring.
Originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in 1994 (5th round, 107th overall), the six-foot, 190-pound native of Stockholm, Sweden has scored 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) and recorded 76 penalty minutes in 71 NHL contests for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who acquired the left wing in 1999 from the Flames.
Ekman scored 68 points (40 goals, 28 assists) for both Detroit and Long Beach of the International Hockey League in 70 career games from 1999-01, highlighted by capturing the 1999-00 Garry F. Longman Memorial Trophy awarded to the player voted to be most outstanding in his first season in the IHL by the League coaches. Prior to 1967-68 the trophy was known as the Leading Rookie Award. He also played in one playoff game for St. John of the AHL in 1997-98 after completing his season in Finland.
Before starting his professional career in North America, Ekman played six seasons in Europe, three with Hammarby (Sweden) and three with Espoo (Finland) from 1993-99, posting his best season in 1996-97 with 24 goals, 19 assists and 43 points in 50 games with Espoo.
Wiseman, 22, posted 52 points (17 goals, 35 assists) in 77 games in 2002-03 during his second professional season with the Cleveland Barons, Sharks top development affiliate of the AHL. His totals ranked him second on the team in scoring. He also appeared in four games (no points) with the Sharks in the 2002-03 season.
In 2001-02, Wiseman was named Barons Rookie of the Year, ranking third on the team in scoring and sixth among AHL rookies (21-29=50). His totals also ranked him tied for fourth on the team in assists, fifth among AHL rookies (29) and tied for fourth in goals (21). The six-foot, 205-pound native of Burlington, Ontario was originally selected by San Jose in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (8th round, 246th overall).
The Barons open up the season at home on October 11th at 7:05pm. Group tickets for the game are now available by calling the Barons ticket staff at 216-420-0000. Season Tickets and several Partial Plan Ticket Packages are available as well. More information can be found by Crashing The Net at www.clevelandbarons.net.
American Hockey League Stories from August 12, 2003
- Brigley Acquired by Avalanche - Hershey Bears
- Panthers Re-Sign Jardine and Novoseltsev - San Antonio Rampage
- Barons to Host In-Line Tournament - Cleveland Barons
- Sharks Acquire Ekman in Trade - Cleveland Barons
- Mulick Signs, Will Appear at Barons Hockey Fest - Cleveland Barons
- Sharks Ink Fibiger - Cleveland Barons
- B-Sens Pre-Season Schedule Announced - Binghamton Senators
- The Passing of a Legend - Hershey Bears
- Admirals Update - Norfolk Admirals
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