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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse Signs NHL Veteran Van Impe

January 9, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (January 9, 2003) – The Syracuse Crunch announced today that they have signed defensemen Darren Van Impe and Paul Traynor to Professional Try-Out contracts and have reassigned defenseman Corey Neilson to Elmira (UHL). They also announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets have reassigned right wing Ben Knopp to Dayton (ECHL).

Van Impe, 29, appeared in a combined 67 games with the NY Rangers, Florida and NY Islanders last season recording three goals, eight assists and 59 penalty minutes. He also played in seven playoff games as a member of the NY Islanders, recording four assists. A native of Saskatoon, SK, Van Impe has appeared in 397 career NHL games with Anaheim, Boston, NY Rangers, Florida and NY Islanders, tallying 24 goals, 89 assists and 387 penalty minutes. Originally drafted by the NY Islanders with their seventh choice, 170th overall, in the 1993 Entry Draft, Van Impe was traded to Anaheim for an eighth round draft choice on August 31, 1994. He made his NHL debut as a member of the Mighty Ducks on May 3 vs. Toronto, recording his first NHL point. In 1996-97, the 6'1", 205 pound Van Impe ranked fourth amongst NHL rookie defenseman in scoring with 23 points. Van Impe played the majority of the 1995-96 season with Baltimore (AHL), recording 11 goals, 47 assists and 79 penalty minutes.

Traynor, 25, has appeared in a combined 23 games with Trenton and Charlotte (ECHL) this season, recording four goals, six assists and 26 penalty minutes. In 158 career AHL games with Albany, Rochester and Syracuse, Traynor has tallied one goal, 18 assists and 82 penalty minutes. He signed his first P.T.O. with Syracuse on February 8, 2002, and appeared in 25 regular season games, recording five assists and 10 penalty minutes. Traynor appeared in 10 games with Syracuse during post-season play, recording one assist and six penalty minutes. A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Traynor was originally selected by the Winnipeg Jets with their seventh choice, 162nd overall, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

Knopp, 20, appeared in two games with Syracuse without recording a point. In 28 games with the Bombers this season, Knopp recorded five goals, eight assists and 39 penalty minutes. A native of Calgary, Alberta, Knopp was Columbus' second pick, 69th overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Neilson, 26, has appeared in four games with Syracuse, recording two penalty minutes. In 35 games with Elmira this year, Neilson recorded four goals, 26 assists and 74 penalty minutes. A native of Oromocto, NB, Neilson signed an American Hockey League contract with Syracuse on August 17, 2002.

The Crunch continue their eight-game road trip, stopping next at Grand Rapids to play the Griffins Friday, January 10 and Saturday, January 11. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Crunch action can be heard on SportsRadio 620 with Crunch play-by-play announcer Bob McElligott. Syracuse returns home Friday, January 24 to host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 7:30 p.m. match-up. Friday, January 24 is Powerade Cap Night. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a cap, courtesy of Powerade. Tickets are available by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444, stopping by the Oncenter box office, located on the State street side of the War Memorial or by calling TicketMaster at (315) 472-0700.

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