Thrashers Acquire Defenseman Steve McCarthy from Vancouver

[brawls16]

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Steve McCarthy from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round draft choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

McCarthy, 25, has appeared in 185 NHL games over parts of six seasons with the Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks, recording five goals, 17 assists and 88 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 51 games this season for the Canucks, recording two goals, four assists and 43 penalty minutes.

The 6-1, 200-pound defenseman was originally selected by Chicago in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. After five seasons with the Blackhawks, he was dealt to Vancouver in exchange for a third-round choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft on Aug. 22, 2005.

McCarthy missed 54 games with Chicago during the 2003-04 season due to a groin injury but managed one goal and three assists in 25 games. He set NHL career-highs in Chicago with 57 games in 2002-03 and represented Norfolk in the 2003 AHL All-Star Game, despite playing in just 19 games with the Admirals. McCarthy spent one full season (2001-02) with Norfolk and was named their Man of the Year. He played 44 games with the Blackhawks in 2000-01 and was loaned to Team Canada to play in the World Junior Championships, where as team captain, led them to a Bronze Medal.

The Trail, B.C., native played four seasons with Edmonton and Kootenay of the Western Hockey League, totaling 43 goals and 85 assists in 154 games. During the 1998-99 season with Kootenay, he set team records for most goals (19), assists (33) and points (52) by a defenseman. In 1997-98, he was named WHL Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year.

[HordiBrusk29]

Best move of the day for the Canucks! LOL.

Now if they could only get rid of that bum Richard Park...

[Gym Class Hero]

Good, he was a plug

[Fighting Wombats]

Wow we really got a top notch D-man in this trade.......

[Rusty Knuckles]

Good dump!

[bengino]

i don't know why i like Steve McCarthy, he's not flashy, he's not an offensive threat but he seems to do the little things quietly. oh Well maybe he gets to play for the Thrashers.

[canuckfan]

Originally Posted by bengino

i don't know why i like Steve McCarthy, he's not flashy, he's not an offensive threat but he seems to do the little things quietly. oh Well maybe he gets to play for the Thrashers.

Well, it does get a lot of flack and some here may be a little overly tough on him, but the fact is some of the best games he played this year happened just recently when the Canucks were without Jovo, Ohlund, and Salo. I think he has the ability to step his game up another notch, but the guy needs to get stronger. He did get pushed around way too much in his own end. So far, I havent been to impressed with this former first round draft pick, but you never know, he could be a work inprogress.