Avalanche Sign McLeod, Six Others

[Thrillhouse]

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has re-signed forward Cody McLeod to a one-year contract, and also agreed to terms with forwards Philippe Dupuis and Nathan Smith, defensemen Darcy Campbell and Aaron MacKenzie, and goaltenders Jason Bacashihua and Tyler Weiman.

McLeod, 24, made his NHL debut last season, dressing in each of the final 49 regular-season games for the Avalanche after being recalled from Lake Erie (AHL) on Dec. 16. The Binscarth, Manitoba, native recorded nine points (4g/5a) and finished second on the Avs with 120 penalty minutes. He became the first rookie in Avalanche history to surpass 100 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound winger went on to appear in all 10 playoff games for Colorado, tallying a goal and one assist.

“Cody brings toughness and energy to our organization,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President & General Manager Francois Giguere. “He was an important role player for our team last season and we are looking for him to do the same this year.”

Weiman, 24, began the 2007-08 season with the Avalanche, appearing in one NHL game before being reassigned to Lake Erie (AHL) on Oct. 8. He spent the rest of the year with the Monsters, compiling a 9-19-1 record with two shutouts in 31 games. Bacashihua, who was acquired by Colorado from St. Louis on Nov. 8, 2007, appeared in four games for the Peoria Rivermen and 19 with the Lake Erie Monsters. The 25-year old had a combined record of 6-14-2.

Dupuis and Campbell were both acquired from Columbus on Jan. 22, 2008 and spent the rest of the 2007-08 season with the Lake Erie Monsters. Dupuis, 23, recorded 19 points (12g/7a) in 46 combined games between Lake Erie and Syracuse. The 24-year-old Campbell notched seven points (2g/5a) in 36 combined games between the Monsters and Syracuse Crunch.

Smith, 26, played 13 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season after being recalled on Jan. 28. He spent most of the year with the Wilkes-Barre Penguins (AHL), where he finished third on the team in scoring with 50 points (22g/28a) in 68 games. Selected by Vancouver in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Smith has appeared in 17 career NHL games and also four Stanley Cup playoff contests.

MacKenzie played four seasons at the University of Denver from 1999-2003. The 27-year old has spent the past three years with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) after signing with St. Louis as a free agent on June 29, 2004. A native of Terrace Bay, Ontario, MacKenzie collected five points (0g/5a) in 55 games for Peoria last season.

[yoyomo81]

i like this signing, the avalanche are gonna be a tough team to play against.

[Podollan]

I wouldnt mind seeing them signing some toughness for their farmteam.
Purinton and Love wont be back right?

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Bacashihua is good for the you suck chant. 4 syllables just seems to work perfect...

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by Podollan

Purinton and Love wont be back right?

nope. and they picked up the streaker for lake erie. smith fights but not that often.

[AVALANCHE FAN]

Lake Erie should be a tough team to beat this year.

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by AVALANCHE FAN

Lake Erie should be a tough team to beat this year.

hahaha thats funny as hell. they lost 3 times to rochester last year.

[PastorJ]

I hate to say it and I hope they prove me wrong, but I think the Avs are gonna suck this year. Middle of the pack at best...

[Orr=God]

mcleod is all right. hes fairly willing although hes no more than an average fighter. the Avs do sport 4 middleweights in Tucker, Lappy, McCormick, and Lappy. Somethign though tells me that Parker will be rarely in if ever. They just don't have room.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by Orr=God

the Avs do sport 4 middleweights in Tucker, Lappy, McCormick, and Lappy.

Ahem.

[Mark22]

It doesn't matter if the Avalanche sign the hockey gods themselves. Nothing is going to help this team succeed except for getting new management, and coaching. Just strip it down and get all new people who feel like they just not only need to produce, but want to as well. As for the current picks I can't say much. I had the opportunity to see MacKenzie play at the University od Denver and I admitt, though a rookie, he will be a good depth to the blue line. Good solid fourth liner.