Flyers assign 5 players to Phantoms

Defenseman Denis Gauthier Has Cleared Waivers And Assigned To Phantoms The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have assigned forwards Boyd Kane, Ryan Potulny and Stefan Ruzicka and defenseman Alexandre Picard to the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. In addition, the team announced that defenseman Denis Gauthier has cleared waivers and been assigned to the Phantoms.

Kane, 29, posted two points (1G,1A) in two preseason games for the Flyers. He was credited with two assists and 28 penalty minutes in 15 regular season games for the Flyers last season. He also registered 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points and 98 penalty minutes in 57 regular season games for the Phantoms during the 2006-07 season. Kane was signed as a free agent by the Flyers on July 13, 2006.

Potulny, 23, was scoreless in three preseason games for the Flyers. He recorded seven goals and five assists for 12 points and 22 penalty minutes in 35 regular season games for the Flyers last season. He also registered 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points and 34 penalty minutes in 30 regular season games for the Phantoms during the 2006-07 season. Potulny was originally drafted by the Flyers in the third round (87th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Ruzicka, 22, posted two points (1G,1A) and six penalty minutes in three preseason games for the Flyers. He recorded three goals and 10 assists for 13 points and 18 penalty minutes in 40 regular season games for the Flyers last season. He also registered 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points and 29 penalty minutes in 32 games for the Phantoms during the 2006-07 season. Ruzicka was originally drafted by the Flyers in the third round (81st overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Picard, 22, was scoreless in three preseason games for the Flyers. He recorded three goals and 19 assists for 22 points and 17 penalty minutes in 62 regular season games for the Flyers last season. He also posted three points (1G,2A) and two penalty minutes in six regular season games for the Phantoms during the 2006-07 season. Picard was originally drafted by the Flyers in the third round (85th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Gauthier, 31, registered a goal and two penalty minutes in three preseason games for the Flyers. He posted four assists and 45 penalty minutes in 43 regular season games for the Flyers last season. Over the last two seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07), Gauthier has posted four assists and 82 penalty minutes in 60 regular season games for the Flyers. A veteran of nine NHL seasons (1997-98 through 2006-07), Gauthier has recorded 15 goals and 58 assists for 73 points and 658 penalty minutes in 489 regular season games with the Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes and the Flyers. He was acquired by the Flyers from Phoenix in exchange for Josh Gratton, Florida's second round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and Tampa Bay's second round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft on March 9, 2006.