2.4.13

MINNESOTA WILD TRADE NICK PALMIERI
San Antonio Visits Toyota Center on Feb 4. at 7:05 p.m.

Saint Paul, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher on Monday announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired left wing Mike Rupp from the New York Rangers in exchange for left wing Darroll Powe and right wing Nick Palmieri.

Rupp, 33 (1/13/80), has totaled 94 points (53-41=94) and 765 penalty minutes (PIM) in 565 games during parts of 10 NHL seasons with New Jersey, Phoenix, Columbus, Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers. He totaled 12 PIM in eight games with the Rangers this year after netting five points (4-1=5) and 97 PIM in 60 regular-season games with the Rangers last season. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound native of Brunswick, Ohio, was originally drafted by New Jersey in the third round (76th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup in 2003, scoring the Cup-clinching goal.

Powe, 27, has posted a plus-1 rating and 9 PIM in eight games with the Wild this season. The 5-foot-11, 212-pound forward posted 13 points (6-7=13) and 57 PIM in 82 games with the Wild in 2011-12, his first season with the Wild. The native of Saskatoon, Sask., totaled 43 points (22-21=43) in 204 games during three seasons (2008-11) with the Flyers to start his NHL career.

Palmieri, 23, has totaled 21 points (10-11=21), a plus-12 rating and 35 PIM in 40 games with Houston (AHL) this season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Utica, N.Y., played in nine games with the Wild in 2011-12 after being acquired from New Jersey on Feb. 24, 2012. Palmieri has totaled 25 points (13-12=25) and 20 PIM in 87 career NHL games in parts of three seasons after originally being selected by New Jersey in the third round (79th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Houston wraps a three-game home stand with San Antonio on Monday, Feb. 4 at 7:05 p.m.  The team embarks on an eight-game road trip starting on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at Grand Rapids at 6 p.m. CT.

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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