1.18.13

WILD ASSIGN PALMIERI, VEILLEUX AND DOWELL TO AEROS
Houston Begins Road Trip on Saturday, Returns home Feb. 1

St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced on Friday the National Hockey League (NHL) club has assigned forwards Nick Palmieri, Jake Dowell and Stephane Veilluex to the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Palmieri has played in 36 games for Houston this season, scoring nine goals and setting up 10 others for 19 points. The fourth-year pro has played in 87 NHL games from 2009-2012 for Minnesota and New Jersey. The 23-year old has 13 goals and 25 points over his NHL career. The Utica, NY native has also suited up in 178 AHL games for Houston, Lowell and Albany, scoring 45 goals and totaling 84 AHL points. Palmieri was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the third round (#79 overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Dowell joins the Aeros after attending training camp with the Wild. The Eau Claire, WI native spent the 2011-12 season with Dallas, scoring two goals and totaling seven points in 52 games with the Stars. The sixth-year pro has played in 154 NHL games with Dallas and Chicago, scoring 11 goals and amassing 33 points. The 6-foot, 205-pounder has suited up in 211 AHL games for Rockford and Norfolk, scoring 22 goals and totaling 65 points. Dowell was drafted in the fifth round (#140 overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Veilleux returns to the Aeros where he began his 12-year career in 2001-02. The Saint-Georg, PQ native played in 229 games for Houston from 2001-05, scoring 49 goals and picking up 75 assists for 124 points. He was also a member of the Aeros 2003 Calder Cup Championship squad, scoring seven goals and totaling 18 points in 23 playoff games. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has played in 460 NHL games with Minnesota, Tampa Bay and New Jersey. He has 46 career NHL goals and 55 assists for 101 points. The left wing was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round (#93 overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Houston embarks on a five-game road trip, starting Saturday at 7 p.m. in Chicago against the Wolves. The team returns to Toyota Center after the All-Star break, hosting Texas on Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Aeros season tickets start as low as $9 per seat and may be purchased online at Aeros.com by placing a $100 deposit. Once your order is processed, an Aeros ticket representative will contact you to choose your exact seat location, as well as discuss the payment options. Information on season tickets and mini-plans is also available on the team website at www.aeros.com.  Groups of 15 or more receive a discount on all tickets, to book your group outing to an Aeros game please call 713-974-PUCK (7825).

-- Houston Aeros --

• BECOME A HOUSTON AEROS SEASON TICKET HOLDER
For more info on season ticket packages call 713-974-PUCK (7825) or visit www.aeros.com.

• HOUSTON AEROS IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule an Aeros event, Mascot or Aero Dynamics appearance, contact Gabriel Presas, director of creative game presentation and marketing development, at 713-361-7907 or e-mail gpresas@aeros.com. Those interested may also contact Alicia Kouri, marketing and promotions manager, at 713-361-7955 or email akouri@aeros.com.

• HOUSTON AEROS CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
To create a customized advertising package for your company contact Joe O’Donnell, director of broadcasting and corporate partnerships, at 713-361-7942 or email at jodonnell@aeros.com.

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