AHL Chicago Wolves

Wolves, Thrashers Shuffle Players

Published on March 19, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


The Atlanta Thrashers have recalled center Tommi Santala and left wing Karl Stewart from the Chicago Wolves and reassigned defenseman Shawn Heins to Chicago. In addition, the Thrashers have reassigned right wing Anthony Aquino from the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL to the Wolves. Finally, the Wolves have recalled center Kevin Doell from Gwinnett.

Heins registered four assists and 14 penalty minutes in 16 games with Atlanta this season after being recalled on Nov. 29 and Feb. 24. Overall, the Eganville, Ontario, native has collected four goals, 12 assists, 16 points and 152 penalty minutes in 124 National Hockey League games with San Jose, Pittsburgh and Atlanta from 1998 to 2003.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 210-pound defenseman has notched seven goals, 16 assists, 23 points and 85 penalty minutes in 47 games with the Wolves this season.

Doell, who is being recalled for the second time this season, tallied two points (G, A) and a +2 plus/minus rating in six games with the Wolves in January, which includes his first American Hockey League goal on Jan. 24 against the Utah Grizzlies. Doell made his AHL debut this season on Jan. 7 against the Grizzlies.

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native ranks third among ECHL rookies with a team-leading 62 points in 54 games with Gwinnett this season. Doell shares second among league rookies with a Gwinnett-high 27 goals and is tied for first among ECHL first-year pros with a team-most six game-winning tallies. The 24-year-old forward paces the team with eight power-play goals and ranks second with a +20 plus/minus rating this season.

Aquino, who is making his second trip of the season to Chicago, was held scoreless in one game with the Wolves on Dec. 3. Overall, the 21-year-old forward has recorded four penalty minutes in six AHL games spanning the last two seasons, which includes his professional debut last year with the Wolves on March 21 against the Rochester Americans.

The Mississauga, Ontario, native ranks second on the Gladiators with 24 goals and third on the club with 47 points in 52 games. Aquino shares second with seven power-play goals and first with two short-handed markers this season.

Stewart, who tallied his first NHL point with an assist in his NHL debut on Nov. 7 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, registered one assist and four penalty minutes in four games with the Thrashers earlier this season.

The Aurora, Ontario, native ­ who signed as a free agent with the Thrashers on Sept. 28, 2001 ­ shares first among AHL rookies and first on the team with 30 assists this season. Stewart ranks fourth on the Wolves and ninth among league rookies with 38 points in 61 games this season.

Santala, who began the season with the Thrashers, was held scoreless in three games with Atlanta after being recalled on Jan. 6. Overall, the 24-year-old rookie has posted one goal and one assist in 27 games with the Thrashers, which includes his first professional NHL point with an assist against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 18.

The Helsinki, Finland, native shares fourth on the Wolves with 13 goals and ninth on the club with 28 points in 43 games with Chicago this season.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2004


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