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| Friday, July 18 Updated: July 21, 1:47 PM ET Wiemer, Asham to return for Islanders ESPN.com news services |
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Asham signed a two-year deal, avoiding an arbitration hearing in August while Wiemer signed a one-year deal.
"Arron and Jason are two very important players for our franchise, so we're pleased to have them under contract,'' Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said in a statement. "Jason was a major cog on our most effective line last season and Arron showed the league he had some offensive skill to go along with his grit.''
Asham had 15 goals and 19 assists in 78 games last season. Wiemer had nine goals and 19 assists with 116 penalty minutes in 81 games.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Grahame was acquired from the Boston Bruins on January 13 and posted a 6-5-4 record with a 2.23 goals-against average as Kikolai Khabibulin's backup. For the season, he recorded a combined mark of 17-14-6 with a 2.52 goals against. Khabibulin helped lead the Lightning to their first division title in franchise history as they edged out Washington for the Southeast Division crown. "John is the ultimate competitor and his competitive spirit is contagious within our team," Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster said. "From the moment he joined the team he solidified our goaltending and gave us as solid a goaltending tandem as any team in the league." Grahame had spent his entire NHL career with the Bruins before being traded to the Lightning. He has played in 93 games during parts of the past four seasons, logging a 35-35-13 mark with a 2.67 goals against. "I am as excited as I've ever been," Grahame said. "I am looking forward to getting back to Tampa for the start of training camp."
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Nash, 28, was obtained from the St. Louis Blues for a fifth-round pick in a draft day trade. He played in 66 games for the Blues last season, recording three goals and six assists to go with 114 minutes in penalties, which ranked fifth on the team. Originally taken by Vancouver in the 10th round of the 1994 draft, Nash registered 24 goals and 26 assists in his five-year career. He signed with St. Louis as a free agent in July 1998.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed. Walser, 25, played in 53 games for the Blue Jackets last season, recording four goals and 13 assists. He was second among Columbus defenseman in goals and points. The Blue Jackets signed Walser prior to the 2001-02 season and spent most of the campaign with Syracuse of the American Hockey League. Scoville, 27, is entering his third season in Columbus' organization. His 2002-03 campaign was cut short due to injury and he played in only 24 games with Syracuse and two with the Blue Jackets.
Ponikarovsky spent a majority of the season with St. John's of the American Hockey League, where he collected 24 goals and 22 assists. He posted a team-leading plus-18 rating and was invited to the AHL All-Star Game but did not play because of injury. He also appeared in 13 games with Toronto and tallied three assists. The 23-year-old has three goals, six assists and 25 penalty minutes in 43 career games with the Maple Leafs.
Stickle leaves his job as director of hockey operations for the CHL. During his five years with the Central and Western Professional Hockey Leagues, he was responsible for overseeing all areas of the league's officiating program. Stickle spent 27 seasons as a linesman in the NHL before moving to the CHL. "I am excited about the opportunity to be working once again in the National Hockey League," Stickle said. "My time spent in the CHL and WPHL was a tremendous experience, and has prepared me well for my new role with the NHL." |
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National Hockey League: Leon Stickle has been hired as the NHL's supervisor of officials.
