The
Atlanta Thrashers have acquired forward
Andrew Ladd from the
Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman
Ivan Vishnevskiy and a second-round choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, according to General Manager
Rick Dudley.
"We’re pleased to add another power forward with size, skill and two Stanley Cup Championships to our roster," said Dudley. "At 24, Andrew has already been in the league for five years and is only getting better. He will add an element of grit, determination and skill to our group of forwards that will compliment what we have in place.”
Ladd appeared in all 82 games for the
Chicago Blackhawks last season, posting 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists). He registered a career-high in goals, ranked third on the club in even-strength goals (17) and was eighth in points. Ladd earned his first career NHL hat trick on March 7 vs. Detroit. He added six points (three goals, three assists) in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games, while helping the Blackhawks capture the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship.
The 6-2, 200-pound left wing has registered 149 points (63 goals, 86 assists) in 321 career games with Chicago and Carolina. He has added 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 53 Stanley Cup Playoff contests, including winning the 2006 Stanley Cup Championship with the Hurricanes. The Maple Ridge, British Columbia, native appeared in 27 American Hockey League games with Lowell and Albany from 2005 to 2008, tallying 20 points (12 goals, eight assists).
Prior to his professional career, Ladd earned 120 points (49 goals, 71 assists) and 286 penalty minutes in 137 games with Calgary and Vancouver of the Western Hockey League from 2001 to 2005. He also represented Canada in the 2005 World Junior Championship, posting seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games.
Ladd was originally selected by the Carolina in the first round, fourth overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Vishnevskiy, 22, recorded 36 points (10 goals, 26 assists) in 79 AHL games last season with Texas and Chicago. He led all Chicago defensemen in points, was first in assists and second in goals. The Barnaul, Russia, native added six assists in 14 Calder Cup Playoff contests with the Wolves.
The 6-0, 195-pound defenseman has posted 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists) in 146 career AHL games with Chicago, Texas and Peoria, along with two assists in five career NHL games with the
Dallas Stars.
Vishnevskiy, who was originally selected by Dallas in the first round (27th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, was acquired by the Thrashers from the Stars along with a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft (Ivan Telegin) in exchange for goaltender Kari Lehtonen on Feb. 9, 2010 .
