Woollard called up to St. John's of AHL
January 26, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth â Fort Worth Brahmas left wing Chad Woollard, the team's scoring leader with 32 points (14G/18A), has been called up the St. John's Maple Leafs of the American Hockey League. Woollard traveled to St. John, Newfoundland this Saturday to practice with the Baby Leafs this weekend. He did not play in the Brahmas 4-1 win over the Austin Ice Bats on Sunday afternoon in Austin.
St. John's is the top affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Baby Leafs are scheduled to play on home ice this week on Tuesday and Wednesday night against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Woollard is expected to play in both of those games.
For Woollard, this is his second opportunity at the American Hockey League level. In December of 2001, he was called up briefly to the Utah Grizzlies, the top affiliate of the Dallas Stars. In two games with the Grizzlies, he picked up five penalty minutes with a fighting major.
The call up for Woollard comes on the heels of his best hockey of the season for the Brahmas. In his last 7 games, he has scored seven points on 4 goals and 3 assists. Overall, Woollard is leading Fort Worth in virtually every offensive category. His 14 goals are tied with center Aaron Davis for the team lead. In addition to leading the team in points, he is the high man in assists (18), shorthanded goals (2), game winning goals (3), and shots (143). Last week, he was the only Brahmas player to participate in the 2004 Dodge CHL All Star Game, scoring a goal and assisting on two others in the CHL's midseason classic. Earlier this month, Woollard was honored by the CHL as the league's player of the week from Dec. 29-Jan. 3.
The Durham, Ontario native is elated about his chance at the next level.
"Obviously, I'm very excited to be getting a shot in St. John's. An AHL opportunity is tough to get. I've worked hard this season and been able to play well enough to earn this shot, now I've got to make the most of it. Hopefully I'll get some ice time and be able to play like I'm capable," he stated.
Woollard, a lifelong fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, says getting to play in the Leafs system is makes this AHL opportunity even more special.
"Because St. John's has been the top affiliate for the Leafs for awhile, I have been following their team for quite some time. I'm excited to have a chance to put on a Baby Leafs uniform and get into a game. I'm going to be pretty pumped up on Tuesday night, that's for sure," he continued.
Brahmas head coach Al Sims says the call up for Woollard is well deserved.
"Over the last month, Chad Woollard has played up to his extensive potential. He's scoring, hitting, working hard every shift. He's our team captain, and he's been playing like a captain should. Our entire organization is excited for Chad and we sincerely hope that he can make the best of this chance. He's has AHL skills, and now he's got a chance to show that," Sims said.
The Brahmas, likely without Woollard, will next be in action this Saturday night, January 31, when they travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Blazers at the Ford Center. Game time will be 7:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KTFW 1460 AM by the Brahmas with the pregame show beginning at 7:15 p.m. For more information, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.
IN OTHER BRAHMAS NEWS:
The call up of Woollard necessitated another roster move for the Brahmas. Rookie forward Kyle Foddrill, who has been in Fort Worth practicing with the Brahmas, was signed on Sunday afternoon to take Woollard's roster spot. Foddrill, who has played in 25 games this season with Fort Worth, skated in the Brahmas 4-1 road win over the Austin Ice Bats on Sunday, registering 2 shots on goal and playing at an even rating.
Center Jason Reesor did not play for the Brahmas on Sunday. Reesor was in Bakersfield, California dealing with an immigration matter. The immigration issue was not an emergency, rather a scheduled appointment that necessitated him traveling to California. Reesor will return to Fort Worth this week and is expected to play Saturday night in Oklahoma City.
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