From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Thursday, November 01, 2007

MINNESOTA WILD RECALLS POULIOT FROM HOUSTON, SCHAEFER AND CLUTTERBUCK RETURNED

HOUSTON, Texas – Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has recalled left wing Benoit Pouliot from the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) and returned goalie Nolan Schaefer and right wing Cal Clutterbuck.

Pouliot, 21 (9/29/86), has played in seven games this season with the Aeros marking two assists and 14 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-3, 195 pound forward was a first round (No. 4 overall) draft pick by the Minnesota Wild in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Pouliot, a Alfred, Ontario-native, played in 67 games with Houston last season tallying 36 points (19-17=36) and 109 PIM during his rookie campaign. He also played three games with NHL Minnesota in the 2006-07 season.

Clutterbuck, 19 (11/18/87), skated in two games with the Wild since his October 23 recall, averaging 7:05 TOI without registering a point. He made his NHL debut October 28 in Colorado. Clutterbuck posted three points (2-1=3) in five games with the Aeros prior to his recall. The 5-foot-11, 213-pound native of Welland, Ont., was Minnesota’s third-round pick (No. 72 overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Schaefer, 27 (1/15/80), is 1-2-0 with a 3.90 goals against average and a .892 save percentage in three games for the Aeros this season. This was the first recall to the Wild for Schaefer, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound native of Yellow Grass, Sask., who backed up former Aero Josh Harding for two games. He was San Jose’s fifth-round pick (No. 166 overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Minnesota signed Schaefer as a free agent on July 3, 2007. Schaefer is 5-1-0 with a 1.88 goals against average in seven career NHL games - all with San Jose.

The Aeros will host the expansion Lake Erie Monsters for two games this weekend at Toyota Center. Friday’s Susan G. Komen game will begin at 7:35 p.m. and Sunday’s game will begin at 4:05 p.m. Tickets are still available for both games by calling (713) 974-PUCK.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --