Anaheim Ducks Assign 20 Players to Lower-Level Leagues in Preparation of Lockout
By jer
In what is no doubt a move in anticipation of the impending lockout (which goes into effect after 11:59 PM on September 15th if no deal can be reached before then), the Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have assigned 20 of their players to various lower-level leagues.
From the announcement, here are the 20 players, and the league and team each will be assigned to:
"Assigned to Norfolk (American Hockey League)Frederik Andersen – GoaltenderIgor Bobkov – GoaltenderJosh Brittain – Left WingMat Clark – DefensemanMarco Cousineau – GoaltenderCorey Elkins – CenterEmerson Etem – Right WingPeter Holland – CenterMatt Kennedy – Right WingRyan Lasch – Right WingBrandon McMillan – Left WingJohn Mitchell – Left WingKyle Palmieri – Right WingDevante Smith-Pelly – Right WingSami Vatanen – DefensemanChris Wagner – CenterAssigned to junior teamJohn Gibson – Goaltender (Kitchener/OHL)Rickard Rakell – Right wing (Plymouth/OHL)Assigned to SwedenMax Friberg – Left Wing (Timra/Swedish Elite League)Tim Heed – Defenseman (Vaxjo/Swedish Elite League)"
To be fair, most of these guys would not be making the big club’s roster even if there was a full season starting on time, but none the less this move ensures that the youngsters are able to play elsewhere in the event of a lockout.