Thursday, October 01, 2009

Flyers officially ink Betts to 1-year deal

The signed veteran center Blair Betts to a one-year contract, and recalled goaltender Michael Teslak and defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, on Thursday.

"Blair came to our camp on a try-out and has earned this opportunity,” said GM Paul Holmgren. “We are happy to have him on our team. He will bring experience and depth to our roster."

"I'm relieved,” said Betts. “Throughout training camp I was pretty confident that something was going to happen. I would have rather it happened sooner than later, but nonetheless I think we made the right decision to come here."

Betts, 29, was invited to Flyers training camp on a pro try-out after he recorded six goals and four assists for 10 points and 16 penalty minutes in 81 games with the New York Rangers in 2008-09. Betts spent a total of four seasons with the Rangers, recording 40 points (25G,15A) and 84 penalty minutes in 304 regular season games.

Over parts of seven seasons in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames (2001-02 to 2003-04) and New York Rangers (2005-06 to 2008-09), Betts has compiled 48 points (28G,20A) and 96 penalty minutes in 339 career regular season games. He has also recorded a goal and an assist in 28 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Betts was originally drafted by Calgary in the second round (33rd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Bourdon, 20, recorded two assists in two preseason games with Adirondack after he was assigned to the Phantoms on Sept. 21. He signed an entry-level NHL contract on July 24, 2009 and was selected by the Flyers in the third round (67th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Teslak, 23, was assigned to the Phantoms on Sept. 21 and appeared in one preseason contest with Adirondack, stopping three of five shots through 30:04 of play in the Phantoms game vs. Albany on Sept. 26.

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