Wild signs D Peter Ratchuk
June 6, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Peter Ratchuk (pronounced RAT-chuhk) to a 2006-07 contract.
Ratchuk, 28 (9/10/77), recorded 36 points (12-24=36) and 88 penalty minutes (PIM) in 52 games with Adler Mannheim in the German Elite League this year. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound blueliner tallied 36 points (10-26=36) and 102 PIM in 51 games with the Frankfurt Lions in 2004-05 and added five points (2-3=5) in 11 playoff contests. Ratchuk was a member of Frankfurt's 2003-04 championship team, collecting 43 points (21-22=43) in 52 games and ranked first among League defensemen in plus-minus rating (+23) and third in scoring. He added six points (1-5=6) in 15 postseason matches.
The native of Buffalo, New York was originally selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round (25th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 32 career NHL contests with the Florida Panthers during parts of the 1998-99 and 2000-01 seasons and collected two points (1-1=2) and 10 PIM.
Ratchuk has extensive experience at the AHL level, playing for New Haven, Louisville, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Rochester from 1998-2003. He has 142 points (48-94=142) and 312 penalty minutes in 338 career AHL games.
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