From Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Monday, September 18, 2006
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

LUNDBOHM, THREE OTHERS ASSIGNED BY WILD

HOUSTON, Texas – Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has reassigned the following four players to the training camp for the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL): forwards Bryan Lundbohm and Ben Thomson and defensemen Paul Albers and Mike Madill. The Aeros’ training camp is set to open Wednesday, September 27. The full training camp schedule will be announced later this week.

Lundbohm, 29 (8/24/77), was part of the Aeros' highly-heralded checking line last season. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound native of Roseau, Minn., posted 30 points (9-21=30) – four off his career-high – in 78 games. The durable centerman ranked third among Aeros playing the entire season with a plus-10. Lundbohm was third on the Aeros’ scoring ledger in the playoffs with eight points (3-5=8). Lundbohm re-signed with Houston on July 25.

Thomson, 24 (6/30/82), was signed to an amateur tryout by the Aeros on July 12. The 5-foot-7, 190-pound native of Coaldale, Alta., has played the last three seasons for the University of Alberta, racking up 160 points (57-103=160) in 130 games. He played his first two seasons there under Aeros head coach Rob Daum. Thomson was a 2005-06 Canada West First Team All-Star, and also a University Cup Tournament All-Star with seven points (1-6=7) in three games as the Golden Bears claimed the national title. Thomson played major junior hockey with WHL Medicine Hat, serving as the Tigers’ captain in 2002-03.

Albers, 20 (10/15/85), totaled a career-best 62 points (17-45=62) in 70 games for Vancouver of the Western Hockey League last season. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound native of Melville, Sask., was named to the Memorial Cup First Team after helping lead the Giants to a third place finish with 19 points (3-16=19) in 18 post-season games. Albers was the Western Conference’s nominee for Best Defenseman and was a Western Conference First Team All-Star. In five junior seasons with Calgary, Regina and Vancouver, Albers notched 143 points (31-112=143) and 194 penalty minutes in 329 games. Albers hails from the same hometown as former Aeros head coach Todd McLellan, and former Houston Astro Terry Puhl. Minnesota signed Albers as a free agent on July 5.

Madill, 24 (5/9/82), is a rookie who played four seasons at St. Lawrence University, totaling 64 points (14-49=63) and 157 penalty minutes in 154 games. He notched 27 points (5-22=27) in 40 games last season, serving as team captain. The 6-foot, 194-pound native of Kirkland, Que., was signed by Minnesota as a free agent on July 5.