Triton
12-16-2005, 03:48 PM
Two former members of the Western Hockey League's Brnadon Wheat Kings have been recalled by their respective National Hockey League clubs.
One day after the Nashville Predators announced that right-winger Jordin Tootoo had been recalled from the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning announced that former Brandon captain Ryan Craig was being called up to the "Show" from the AHL's Springfield Falcons.
While Tootoo spent the 2003-04 campaign as a 20-year old rookie with the Predators, Craig is set to make his NHL debut on Saturday night when the Lightning face off against the Detroit Red Wings.
In 28 games as captain of the Falcons this season, Craig has 22 points including twelve goals. Tootoo meanwhile has seven goals, 12 points and 57 minutes in penalties in just twenty games for the Admirals.
Former teammates, Craig and Tootoo not only shared club MVP honours in 2002-03, the two were chosen to the WHL First All Star Team the same season. As well, both players were instrumental in helping Brandon win back to back Eastern Division pennants for head coach Dean Clark.
During his five year WHL career, Craig scored 137 goals and 268 points in 242 career games while Tootoo averaged a point per game during his 4-year WHL career, finishing with 93 goals and 209 points in 209 games. As well, "Toots" is currently ranked third in franchise history, having accumulated 874 minutes in penalties during his major junior hockey career.
Tootoo and the Predators will play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.
One day after the Nashville Predators announced that right-winger Jordin Tootoo had been recalled from the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning announced that former Brandon captain Ryan Craig was being called up to the "Show" from the AHL's Springfield Falcons.
While Tootoo spent the 2003-04 campaign as a 20-year old rookie with the Predators, Craig is set to make his NHL debut on Saturday night when the Lightning face off against the Detroit Red Wings.
In 28 games as captain of the Falcons this season, Craig has 22 points including twelve goals. Tootoo meanwhile has seven goals, 12 points and 57 minutes in penalties in just twenty games for the Admirals.
Former teammates, Craig and Tootoo not only shared club MVP honours in 2002-03, the two were chosen to the WHL First All Star Team the same season. As well, both players were instrumental in helping Brandon win back to back Eastern Division pennants for head coach Dean Clark.
During his five year WHL career, Craig scored 137 goals and 268 points in 242 career games while Tootoo averaged a point per game during his 4-year WHL career, finishing with 93 goals and 209 points in 209 games. As well, "Toots" is currently ranked third in franchise history, having accumulated 874 minutes in penalties during his major junior hockey career.
Tootoo and the Predators will play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.