From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004
Direct Line: 713.361.7930

HOLMQVIST TO MINNESOTA; CLOUTIER RECALLED

Houston, TX – The Minnesota Wild has recalled goaltender Johan Holmqvist from the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros, the teams announced Wednesday. In a corresponding move, the Aeros have recalled goalie Frederic Cloutier from the ECHL’s Louisiana IceGators.

Holmqvist, 25, (5/24/78) currently leads the AHL in minutes played (2,882) and is second in saves (1,191). He sports a 17-24-6 record and a 2.64 goals against average. Holmqvist was acquired last March from the New York Rangers for defenseman Lawrence Nycholat. The 2003 Calder Cup Most Valuable Player has appeared in four NHL games, all with the Rangers, going 0-3-0 with a 4.31 goals against average. Holmqvist, New York’s seventh-round pick (No. 175 overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, has a career professional mark of 82-69-21 with a 2.84 goals against average.

Cloutier, 22, (5/14/81) is 0-2-0 with a 4.60 goals against average in two games with the Aeros this season. Cloutier was originally recalled from Louisiana January 22 and was sent back to the IceGators January 28. He was recalled again February 5, and he made one start during this stint, allowing four goals on 39 shots in a 4-3 loss in Milwaukee February 6 before being sent back to Louisiana February 17.

Cloutier has a 15-5-2 record, a 2.42 goals against average and a .912 save percentage in 23 games for the IceGators. He started last month’s ECHL All-Star Game, his second such appearance in his three-year career. The 6-foot, 180-pound native of Ste. Honore, Quebec, was 4-3-2 with a 2.46 goals against average in 12 appearances last season for Houston before a wrist injury ended his campaign. Cloutier was the 2001-02 ECHL Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year.

The Aeros wrap up a four-game road trip Thursday (Milwaukee) and Friday (San Antonio) before returning to Houston for a five-game homestand beginning Saturday against San Antonio at 7 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will receive hockey puck bottle openers. Call 713.974.PUCK for more information on tickets and other promotions.

MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRES FOURTH ROUND DRAFT PICK IN THE 2005 NHL ENTRY DRAFT FROM THE COLORADO AVALANCHE

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired a fourth round draft pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for center Darby Hendrickson and the Wild’s eighth round draft pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Hendrickson, 31 (8/28/72), appeared in 14 games with the Wild this season registering one goal before being reassigned to the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL), the club’s primary development affiliate on December 19. The Richfield, Minn.-native notched 60 points (29-31=60) and 100 penalty minutes in 182 career games with Minnesota after being selected from the Vancouver Canucks in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft. Hendrickson has tallied 125 points (64-61=125) and 364 penalty minutes in 498 career NHL contests with Toronto, the New York Islanders, Vancouver and Minnesota.

Hendrickson posted nine points (4-5=9) in 31 games with the Aeros, who continue a four-game road trip Thursday in Milwaukee at 7 p.m.