Ducks Assign Sami Vatanen to Norfolk (AHL)

[chilly666]

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has reassigned defenseman Sami Vatanen to the Norfolk Admirals, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Vatanen, 21 (6/3/91), began the season on Injured Reserve and did not make an appearance in Anaheim’s first two games of 2012-13. He has appeared in 32 games with Norfolk this season, earning 4-17=21 points with 30 penalty minutes (PIM). Vatanen leads Norfolk defensemen in goals, assists and points, and paces all club rookies in assists and scoring.

Selected in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Vatanen was named the Finnish Elite League’s Defenseman of the Year and selected to the league’s postseason All-Star team in 2011-12, earning both honors for the second consecutive season. He appeared in 156 career Finnish Elite League games, collecting 32-71=103 points with a +40 rating and 114 PIM.