Two Former Hamilton Bulldogs Join Respective National Teams for the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Former Hamilton Bulldogs and current Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec has joined the Czech Republic while ex-‘Dogs defenceman Rene Vydareny has rejoined Slovakia at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships in Quebec City, Quebec and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Plekanec, who spent parts of four seasons in Hamilton from 2002-2006 and ranks in the Bulldogs’ top four in all-time goals, assists and points, enjoyed a career year with Montreal in 2007-2008.  In 81 regular season games, the native of Kladno, Czech Republic finished second on the Canadiens goals (29) and points (69) and tied for fourth on the team in assists with 40.  In 12 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff games, Plekanec produced four goals and five assists and finished tied for second on the Habs with nine post-season points.

Vydareny, a native of Bratislava, Slovakia who played 13 games for the ‘Dogs in 2003-2004, spent the 2007-2008 season with HC Ceske Budejovice of the Czech Extraliga.

With the addition Plekanec and Vydareny, there are now 13 Hamilton Bulldogs graduates representing their respective countries at the I.I.H.F World Championships.  With Mikhail Grabovski, Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn and Alexander Zhurik, Belarus leads the way with four former ‘Dogs on their roster.  Canada (Jason Chimera, Mathieu Garon), the Czech Republic (Jan Hejda, Tomas Plekanec) and Slovakia (Marcel Hossa, Rene Vydareny) each have two ex-Hamilton Bulldogs on their rosters while France (Christobal Huet), Latvia (Raitis Ivanans) and the United States of America (Tim Thomas) each have one ‘Dogs grad on their roster.

Raitis Ivanans, who registered 379 penalty minutes in 118 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs, is tied for the tournament lead with 29 PIM in three games.  Andrei Kostitsyn, who spent 150 minutes in the penalty box in 180 games with the ‘Dogs, is tied for fifth in PIM with 16 in two games.  Tim Thomas, who had no shutouts, a 3.23 goals against average and a .905 save percentage in 15 appearances as a Hamilton Bulldog, is tied for the tournament lead with one shutout and ranks second in goals against average (1.50) and sixth in save percentage (.925).

Below is a complete list of Hamilton Bulldogs graduates on the roster of a team at the I.I.H.F.’s 2008 World Championships.

HAMILTON BULLDOGS GRADUATES’ STATISTICS – I.I.H.F. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
(Through Thursday, May 8th, 2008)

BELARUS (4 Hamilton Bulldogs graduates)
Mikhail Grabovski – F (2 GP – 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, +1, 0 PIM)
Andrei Kostitsyn – F (2 GP – 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, +2, 16 PIM)
Sergei Kostitsyn – F (2 GP – 0 G, 1 A, 1 P, E, 0 PIM)
Alexander Zhurik – D (3 GP – 1 G, 0 A, 1 P, -3, 2 PIM)

CANADA (2 Hamilton Bulldogs graduates)
Jason Chimera – F (4 GP – 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, +1, 4 PIM)
Mathieu Garon – G (0 GP – 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%, 0 SO)

CZECH REPUBLIC (2 Hamilton Bulldogs graduates)
Jan Hejda – D (4 GP – 1 G, 0 A, 1 P, +2, 0 PIM)
Tomas Plekanec – F (1 GP – 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, +1, 0 PIM)

FRANCE (1 Hamilton Bulldogs graduate)
Christobal Huet – G (3 GP – 0-3-0, 4.15 GAA, .890 SV%, 0 SO)

LATVIA (1 Hamilton Bulldogs graduate)
Raitis Ivanans – F (3 GP – 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, -4, 29 PIM)

SLOVAKIA (2 Hamilton Bulldogs graduates)
Marcel Hossa – F (3 GP – 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, +3, 2 PIM)
Rene Vydareny – D (0 GP – 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, E, 0 PIM)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (1 Hamilton Bulldogs graduate)
Tim Thomas – G (4 GP – 2-1-0, 1.50 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO)

Currently in its 72nd season of play, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 83 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America in each of the past six seasons.

Subscribe TODAY and use the code BMR for 50% Holiday Savings off of the $11.99 annual subscription price!!!