Wild Sign Center Paye
Published on August 20, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
HOUSTON, Texas - Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed free agent center Serge Payer (pronounced SAIRZH pie-YAY) to a 2007-08 contract.
Payer, 28 (5/7/79), collected 18 points (6-12=18) and 31 penalty minutes (PIM) in 43 games with the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season. The 6-foot, 191-pound forward also appeared in five NHL contests with Ottawa in 2006-07. Payer's best season in the AHL came with the San Antonio Rampage in 2002-03, tallying 41 points (10-31=41) in 78 games with 30 PIM. He made his NHL debut with Florida on Nov. 13, 2000. The Rockland, Ontario native was the Panthers nominee for the 2000-01 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy because of his successful battle with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
GBS is an inflammatory disorder of the nerves and can be as sever as causing patients to be virtually paralyzed. The disorder is the most rapidly acquired paralysis in the United States and affects two out of every 100,000 people. Payer was diagnosed with GBS in 1999 and has since made a successful return to hockey and established the Serge Payer Foundation in 2000, which has risen over $54,000 for GBS research. The foundation hosts boat cruises, golf tournaments and other functions annually to raise money for the cause.
"It is my hope to raise general awareness of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and help people who are afflicted with this debilitating illness. Ultimately, I'd like to do whatever I can to help fund research, new treatments and a cure for this disease", Payer states on his foundation's website, www.sergepayerfoundation.org.
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