March 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Don't call them superstitions. They are routines Many of the Thrashers have certain things they do before a game or a practice. In most cases, they say there is no real reason for the ritual, but who wants to change and tempt fate at this point? So if you've ever wondered just why Chris Thorburn goes to the same place on the ice to stretch before a game, here's your answer. Who: Chris Thorburn What: When the Thrashers come onto the ice for pregame warm-ups, Thorburn goes to the left faceoff circle to stretch. Why: It's a routine Thorburn began when he started his professional career at AHL Rochester. It started because "every place else on the ice was taken by a guy, and that was the only ..."
March 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The new-look Thrashers are looking an awful lot like the old-look Thrashers. The Thrashers added five new players in the past five weeks in an effort to make the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history. However, with each mounting loss the postseason draws further out of reach. The Thrashers (28-29-10) dropped their fifth consecutive game Friday night, this time allowing three first-period goals en route to a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers at Philips Arena. It's the longest stretch the Thrashers have gone this season without a point. They had an earlier nine-game losing streak (0-6-3) but still managed three points. Just seven days ago the team held the eighth and final ..."
March 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Anderson: Too much pressure?: Thrashers coach John Anderson said the pressure of a playoff race may be reason for his team's now five-game losing streak after Friday night's loss to the New York Rangers. "I think we are playing not to lose," Anderson said before the game. "We are not playing to win. We are not going forward. We are not being aggressive. We are almost nervous out there. We have a lot of young guys out and some nervousness out there. And there is pressure. Pressure does funny things to you. ... "What's that old saying? Our only hope lies in our despair. Hopefully we are desperate tonight.""
March 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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What a difference a week makes. Last Friday we in Thrasherville were riding a high…the team had just thumped the Islanders 6-3, they were sitting in eighth place in the east with 66 points and they had the playoffs within their grasp. Keep the foot on the throttle, it was thought, and the playoffs are just around the corner. Today…well, they are still stuck on Route 66 after dropping four consecutive games by the combined score of 14-4. As such, they now tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for 10th/11th place in the conference…sitting only two points away from 13th. If they continue traveling on Route 66, they will more than likely run smack dab into downtown Lotteryville by the time we ..."
March 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers are headed in the wrong direction, and fast. They dropped their fourth consecutive game with a 2-1 loss to Columbus on Thursday at Nationwide Arena. Just one week ago, the Thrashers occupied the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They haven't won since. The Thrashers (28-28-10, 66 points) are tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference -- six points out of a playoff spot. They are tied with the Lightning, one point behind the idle Rangers, Friday's opponent, for ninth place, and six points behind the Bruins for eighth. "We are not getting the bounces, that's for sure," said goaltender Johan Hedberg, who made 19 saves. "There is no secret to winning. It's ..."
March 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Chris Chelios admits that he's not completely sure why, at age 48, he continues to play hockey, which is a heck of a confession given how the NHL let him walk away last year. But here he is nonetheless, the second oldest player to ever appear in an NHL game -- after Gordie Howe -- lacing up the skates one more time. The 25-year veteran and newest Thrashers defenseman joined the team for its game with the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night. His experience and leadership will be counted on heavily as the team tries to rebound from a three-game losing streak and scramble over its final 17 games into the playoffs. "I don't know," Chelios said when asked why he keeps playing. "Our teams, ..."
March 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers appear ready to use every available recourse to make the playoffs, including turning back the hands of time. The team recalled 25-year NHL veteran Chris Chelios from AHL Chicago on Wednesday. The 48-year-old defenseman is expected to be in the lineup Thursday night against the Blue Jackets. The Thrashers have lost three straight games and are 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, four points out of the last playoff spot. "I don't like the way the team has been playing lately," Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said. "We are a desperate team right now and we have to get back on track soon. ... With the situation now, our backs are against the wall. Bringing in a ..."
March 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It is official. Later today the Thrashers will call up Chris Chelios from AHL Chicago. I suspect he will join the team in Columbus. Coach John Anderson said that a call-up was option with Christoph Schubert being out 3-5 weeks. It makes sense that Chelios is the call up. Why else do you sign the 25-year veteran so he's available for the playoff push. Stay tuned. More to come. I caught up with Evander Kane this morning before the team took the ice. When I get a chance I will transcribe my notes andthe blog. He is disappointed, but realizes that injuries are a part of hockey and is now focused on getting back as soon as possible. Kane said he was told that his broken left foot is similar to ..."
March 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tuesday night's 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predator's was the latest defeat in the Thrashers March from the Playoffs. And while the team's play did not register near the level on the Suck-O-Meter as the last two games, it eared just as little in the standings and the weekend's losses did. Zilch. Johan Hedberg got the start and stopped 30 of the 32 faced. He was beaten on a Ryan Suter power play goal…Colby Armstrong taking the skate of shame afterwards due to his interference infraction…and when Colin Wilson was left all alone with Hedberg thanks to Mark Popovic's e-GREEEE-gious turnover inside the blueline. To Pop's credit, he made a great sprawling play in the third that denied the Preds ..."
March 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers have lost two players for at least three weeks because of injuries, the team announced Tuesday. Evander Kane will miss at least three weeks after a CT scan Tuesday confirmed the rookie forward fractured his left foot. Defenseman Christoph Schubert will miss three to five weeks with a pulled muscle in his hip. Both players suffered the injuries Saturday against Tampa Bay. Kane, who has 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) this season, suffered his injury blocking a shot. It has been a rough two months for Schubert. He had just returned last week after missing 13 games with a knee injury, appearing in only three games before suffering the latest injury. Both did not play Sunday and ..."
March 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Thrashers rookie forward Evander Kane will have a CT scan taken of his injured left foot on Tuesday. Injury and playing-status updates will come following the test, a team official said. Kane injured the foot blocking a shot early in Saturday's game at Tampa Bay. He left and didn't return. He missed Sunday's game against Carolina because of the injury, only the second game he's missed all season. Kane is wearing a walking boot and using crutches. The boot is similar to one worn by former teammate Ilya Kovalchuk earlier this season when he suffered a broken foot and missed three weeks. A first-round pick, Kane has 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 62 games and is a plus-3 this season. He ..."
March 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Two steps forward, two steps back. If the Thrashers are going to make the playoffs, it won't be like this. After climbing into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a 4-0-2 run -- including two straight wins -- the Thrashers dropped back-to-back weekend games. Once again, they find themselves on the outside looking in. The latest defeat was Sunday, a 4-0 loss to Carolina at Philips Arena. It came less than 24 hours after falling to Tampa Bay. The Thrashers (28-26-10, 66 points) are now ninth in the conference. They trail Montreal by two points. The New York Rangers, who played Buffalo Sunday night, could also jump ahead. "With our schedule, we know we aren't ..."
March 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Niclas Bergfors is making quite a first impression. It has lasted several weeks, and there is no end in sight. Bergfors scored two goals in the Thrashers' win over the Islanders on Thursday. The rookie now has five goals, including two game-winners, and one assist in his first seven games since being acquired from New Jersey in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade. This is how the understated Bergfors describes his immediate success. I got some chances, and some of them went in," he said. "Sometimes that happens. It's good for confidence. Hopefully I can build on that. But the team is playing really good.""
March 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers failed in their 17th consecutive attempt to defeat Lightning goaltender Antero Niittymaki, this time losing 6-2 on Saturday night at St. Pete Times Forum. The Lightning, who had lost five consecutive, continued their mastery over the Thrashers this season. The Lightning won the final five games in this year's series with their Southeast Division rival. "I think they were a little better than us tonight," Thrashers goaltender Johan Hedberg said. "They were faster and sharper and they capitalized on their chances." The Thrashers fell to 28-25-10 (66 points) and lost for the first time in regulation in seven games (4-1-2). The Thrashers entered Saturday's game in a three-way tie ..."
March 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers and the Lightning are heading in opposite directions. Atlanta has won two straight, is 4-0-2 in its past six games and has climbed to eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Tampa Bay has lost five straight, surrendered at least five goals in each of those losses and has dropped to 11th in the standings. It's the Lightning's recent performance that has drawn the attention of Thrashers coach John Anderson, whose team faces Tampa Bay Saturday night. "They can score but they can give up a lot of goals," Anderson said. "When we get [the puck] in their zone, we want to hold onto it. They can't score from their own zone. If [Martin] St. Louis is checking in his own zone all ..."
March 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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That giant skid mark smeared all over the ice of Philips Arena was what remained of a New York Islanders team that are finding themselves falling father and farther out of the playoff picture. They came into Thursday night's game losing seven of their last ten and the Thrashers, who have been heading in the opposite direction of late, took advantage of some early chances to push New York right out the back door…in the end, dropping them 6-3. Playing major roles in flushing the Islander were newbies Evgeny Artyukhin, Clarke MacArthur, playing their first games as Thrashers, and Niclas Bergfors…a veteran on seven whole games now. The Antropov-Little-Bergfors line was responsible for the ..."
March 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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They got three goals from players who joined the team in the past four weeks, including one each from two players making their Thrashers debut, en route to a 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday night at Philips Arena. The win was the second consecutive for the surging Thrashers, who are 4-0-2 in the past six games. It was the first time they've won back-to-back games in regulation since Jan. 26 and 28. Improving to 28-24-10 (66 points) the Thrashers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. They moved into a three-way tie for the eighth spot, with Montreal and the New York Rangers. The Canadiens played a late game at San Jose. The win also moves the Thrashers ..."
March 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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OK…raise your hands if you thought the trade deadline would come and go Wednesday with Colby Armstrong, Pavel Kubina, Maxim Afinogenov, Christoph Schubert and Mark Popovic all remaining on the Atlanta Thrashers' payroll? looking around the blogosphere…uh-huh, not too many. I didn't add Kozlov in that list of players because, quite frankly, I didn't hold any hope that anyone would make any real offer for him, even though he was willing to waive his no-trade clause. As Don Waddell put it, "We never had a offer to bring him". However, like so many of you, I was somewhat surprised at yesterday's lack of major moves by the Thrashers…but I have to admit, I'm absolutely OK with it. At the end of ..."
March 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In hopes of sending a strong message to the hockey fans of Atlanta that the Thrashers have not given up on this season, here is what general manager Don Waddell did before Wednesday's trade deadline: ? Acquired a fourth-line left winger named Clarke MacArthur from Buffalo. MacArthur was a team-worst minus-14 on the Sabres, who are one of the most responsible defensive teams in the league. He has scored 13 goals. Given he ranked 10th among Buffalo forwards in ice time, I'm guessing the Sabres weren't overly concerned about losing him. ? Did not acquire any scoring help following the trading of Ilya Kovalchuk. Well, unless you count MacArthur's 13 goals. Come to think of it, that actually ..."
March 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers' locker room just got a little more crowded. At Wednesday's NHL trade deadline, the team acquired forward Clarke MacArthur from Buffalo for a third- and a fourth-round draft pick. The move gives the Thrashers 15 forwards on the active roster, including Evgeny Artyukhin, who was acquired Monday from Anaheim. "We recognize that's going to be an issue," Thrashers general manager Don Waddell. "Everyone is healthy right now, which is a very good thing. We have 17 games this month, and to think we are going to get through this stretch healthy, we'll be very fortunate. We'll address it. Now we've got competition for jobs. I look at it as a very healthy situation. If you play well, ..."
March 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers obtained Clarke MacArthur from Buffalo for a third- and fourth-round pick this year. McArthur, a left wing, has 13 goals and 13 assist in 60 games. The 24-year-old is 5-foot-11, 191 pounds."
March 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers' March to the playoffs has started off on the right foot. Back from the two-week Olympic break and playing 12 of 17 games at home this month, the Thrashers defeated Florida 4-2 at Philips Arena on Tuesday night. Atlanta (27-24-10, 64 points) moved to within a point of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 21 games remaining. They are 10th in the conference, just behind Boston and the New York Rangers who are tied for eighth and two points behind Montreal for seventh. The Thrashers have played two fewer games than the Rangers and three fewer than the Canadiens."
March 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers on Tuesday signed defenseman Chris Chelios, a 25-year NHL veteran. The 48-year-old Chelios, an unrestricted free agent, has spent much of this season playing for Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago, although he was not property of the Atlanta team. Chelios must clear waivers and then will be re-assigned to AHL Chicago if he is not claimed by another NHL team by noon Wednesday. The signing gives the Thrashers veteran depth on defense in case of injury, said Thrashers general manager Don Waddell. "You never know," Waddell said when asked the likelihood that Chelios would be called up to the NHL. "We have a busy schedule [in March]. When you go into a run like this, you like to ..."
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers have signed defenseman Chris Chelios, the team announced Tuesday. Chelios, 48, has been playing for the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago this season, although he was not property of the Thrashers. He signs with the Thrashers as an unrestricted free agent. He appeared in 44 games for the Wolves this season with five goals and 16 assists. He was also a plus-35. Chelios must clear waivers, which the Thrashers will know by noon Wednesday. If he is not claimed by another team, he will remain in Chicago. However, he will be available to the Thrashers. According to GM Don Waddell, Chelios gives the team veteran depth in case of injury. “You never know,” Waddell said when asked ..."
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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OK…by now I'm sure you've seen C-Viv's report that the Thrashers made a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. Heading this way is 26-year old Russian Evgeny Artyukhin…a 6'-4" forward who was Tampa Bay's selection with the 94th overall draft pick in 2001…the first of what is sure to be other transactions to come this week Trade-A-Paloosa 2010. Artyukhin has scored 4 goals and 5 assists so far in 37 games played for the Ducks with an EVEN /- rating and 41 PIM. Last season for the Bolts he played in 73 games and produced 6 goals and 16 overall points, was a 1 with 151 PIM. In 2005-06, he played in 72 games scoring 4 goals 13 assists, was a -4 with 90 PIM while with Tampa Bay…in between he played in ..."
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers acquired forward Evgeny Artyukhin from Anaheim on Monday night for minor-league defenseman Nathan Oystrick and a conditional draft pick in 2011. Artyukhin, 6 feet 4 and 255 pounds, has nine points (five goals, four assists) in 37 games this season. The 26-year-old Moscow native played last season for Tampa Bay. In 182 career NHL games over three seasons, he has 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) and 282 penalty minutes."
March 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers' remaining four Olympians returned to practice Sunday, giving the team its full roster for the first time since the break started Feb. 14. Max Afinogenov, Tobias Enstrom, Pavel Kubina and Johnny Oduya were back on the ice after their respective teams were eliminated Wednesday. Ondrej Pavelec returned Saturday. None of the Thrashers reached the medal round, a disappointment. "I would say it was the best Olympics I've ever been to," said Kubina, a defenseman for the Czech Republic who also played in the 2006 Games. "The organization, the city, the people, the passion for hockey, everyone was watching hockey. Our team didn't play very well. I would have liked to have seen a ..."
March 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers return from the Olympic break on Tuesday with six weeks remaining in the season. They sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings with 62 points (26-24-10), but are just two points out of the eighth and final spot. Here are 10 things to watch as the Thrashers play their final 22 games and attempt to earn the franchise's second playoff berth. 1. The March schedule The Thrashers play 17 games in March, 12 at Philips Arena. They are 13-10-4 at home this season. What they do during that month should decide their playoff fate. "All the home games we have in March are a big thing for us," center Marty Reasoner said. "We have a lot of divisional games right out of the ..."
February 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec returned from the Olympic break and practiced with the team Saturday. With Pavelec's return, the Thrashers re-assigned goaltender Peter Mannino to AHL Chicago."
February 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Thrashers forward Slava Kozlov has requested a trade due to his lack of playing time and would be willing to waive his no trade clause, he told me on Friday. "I don't know if I'm going to be on this team or another team," Kozlov said. "If we can find a team which I like and which is good for me and my family I will go. If not, I'm going to be here. … With coach not playing me, what can you do? That's why I feel I could go play for somebody that needs my help. Is so, I'll waive my no trade clause." Kozlov's agent met with Thrashers general manager Don Waddell in Chicago before the team's final game before the two-week Olympic break."
February 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Slava Kozlov has requested a trade due to his reduced role with the Thrashers. The 18-year-veteran forward said he would waive his no-trade clause to accommodate a move. "I asked [general manager] Don [Waddell] to find a team," Kozlov told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday. "I don't know if I'm going to be on this team or another team. If we can find a team which I like and which is good for me and my family I will go. If not, I'm going to be here. ... "With coach [John Anderson] not playing me, what can you do? That's why I feel I could go play for somebody that needs my help. If so, I'll waive my no-trade clause." Scott Lites, Kozlov's agent, met with Waddell in Chicago two weeks ..."
February 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers will get back all of their Olympic participants sooner than some had hoped or expected. All five of the team's Olympians saw their countries eliminated Wednesday, before the medal round begins Thursday. Russian forward Maxim Afinogenov lost to Canada. Czech Republic defenseman Pavel Kubina and goaltender Ondrej Pavelec lost to Finland. Sweden defensemen Tobias Enstrom and Johnny Oduya lost to Slovakia. "I don't know if that is good or bad," Thrashers coach John Anderson said. "It may have hurt them mentally, but certainly it will save a little bit on the physicality part." Anderson said the Olympians had 48 hours to return to the team. "I'm positive you will see them Sunday, ..."
February 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Christoph Schubert returned to practice with the rest of his Thrashers teammates on Wednesday. The team -- or most of it -- was back from a 10-day hiatus for the Winter Olympics and Schubert, on injured reserve, skated for the first time since injuring the PCL in his right knee on Jan. 16. "Every movement out there, stopping, starting, tight turns, are all feeling good," said Schubert, who is wearing a brace. "I just have to continue my rehab to strengthen the muscle.""
February 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Matt McConnell…the Atlanta Thrashers' original TV play-by-play man has, in his own words, quite the whirlwind journey in life so far…but his travels have brought him back to Thrasherville for his second tour of duty for the team and he's loving every minute of it. McConnell was born in Gary, Indiana and his father worked for a steel company…a job that would eventually move the family around quite a bit. He lived in Indiana for the first 12 years of his life and that's where he became a fan of hockey…a big Chicago Blackhawks fan, he told me. "I remember one night when I was about 4 or 5 years old", McConnell recalled, "My dad turned on a Blackhawks' game on WGN and I just kinda started ..."
February 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Atlanta Spirit co-owner Steve Belkin has until Thursday to pay $2 million or he risks losing his stake in the partnership, Montgomery County (Md.) Circuit Court documents say. Belkin has agreed to post the money, his attorney said. The eight-man group -- which owns the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena operating rights -- have been fighting in court since 2005 over how much seven of the partners should pay Belkin to buy out his 30 percent stake in the group. A judge ruled in August that the contract that outlined the buyout process was too ambiguous -- and that the Spirit should resume operations as it was before 2005. To stay in the group as a minority owner, Belkin is required to pay ..."
February 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Reports out of Winnipeg that the Thrashers have been sold and will relocate to the city next season are false, according to team officials. Thrashers general manager Don Waddell told the team's Web site that "there is absolutely nothing to it, and there is no forthcoming announcement or plans for relocation.""
February 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers on Sunday re-assigned Arturs Kulda to AHL Chicago, enabling the defenseman to continue playing during the NHL's two-week break for the Olympics."
February 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There are injuries - and then there are hockey injuries. Mix sharpened skates, sticks, a surface as hard as ice is and a frozen piece of rubber that can travel over 100 miles per hour and there is potential for serious damage to the human body. Thrashers center Marty Reasoner recounts his worst injury, suffered while playing for the Oilers during the 2005-06 season: "The year after the lockout I fractured my skull. I went down to block a shot, and I got hit right in the chest. I was spitting up blood and I spent the night in the hospital. Then we had a week off for All-Star break and I came back and played like two games. Chris Pronger, he was on my team, took a shot from the point, and ..."