The
Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has acquired defensemen
Lawrence Nycholat and
Ryan Wilson, along with a second-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (originally Montreal’s choice), from the
Calgary Flames. In return, the Avalanche has sent defenseman Jordan Leopold to Calgary.
Nycholat, 29, was claimed off waivers by Calgary from Vancouver yesterday. He has skated in 14 games for the Canucks this season, tallying one assist and a +3 plus/minus rating. Nycholat (6-0, 200 lbs) has also appeared in three games with Vancouver’s American Hockey League affiliate, the
Manitoba Moose, collecting three assists. The Calgary native has played in 45 career games in the NHL, recording two goals and seven assists with the
New York Rangers,
Washington Capitals,
Ottawa Senators and
Vancouver Canucks.
Wilson, 22, has spent this season with Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the
Quad City Flames, where he has appeared in all 60 games. Wilson (6-1, 207 lbs) ranks second among Quad City defensemen in scoring with 20 points (4g/16a). The Windsor, Ontario native signed with Calgary as an undrafted free agent on July 1, 2008.
Leopold has played in all 64 games for the Avalanche this season, tallying 20 points (6g/14a). Acquired by Colorado from Calgary on June 24, 2006, Leopold collected 38 points (13g/25a) in 122 games with the Avalanche.