Hedlund and Barney In, Helbling and Johansson Out

Hershey Bears (35-13-5-5, 80 points)

at

Albany River Rats (26-25-2-2, 56 points)

Television: B2Networks

Radio: Bears Network (100.1 FM, 1490-AM, 960-AM)

Gametime: 7:00 PM ET

Hershey's roster will have some new faces when they travel to the Times Union Center in Albany to take on the River Rats Wednesday night. Gone are defenseman Timo Helbling, who was part of the Capitals' trade of Danius Zubrus to Buffalo, and Jonas Johansson, who was sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins on loan in exchange for Scott Barney (Pictured). The Bears will also acquired Andy Hedlund as part of the Capitals trade with the Ottawa Senators that involved former Hershey captain Lawrence Nycholat.
(Photo Courtesy of www.moosehockey.com)

Barney, a 6'4" 225 pound forward who will turn 28-years old next month, is a former 30-goal scorer in the AHL and has spent time in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings and the Atlanta Thrashers. In 40 games this season with the Griffins he has 4 goals and 8 assists to go along with 26 penalty minutes and a -1 defensive rating.

The 28-year old Hedlund has spent his entire season so far with the Binghamton Senators, where he played against the Bears as recently as this past Sunday's game at the Giant Center. In 56 games this season he has accumulated 6 goals and 21 assists to go along with 84 penalty minutes and a -6 defensive rating. The 6'2" 216 pound defenseman should provide Hershey with the veteran leadership they have lacked since losing Nycholat to the NHL in December.

Barney's career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995-96	Peterborough Petes	OHL	60	22	24	46	52	24	6	8	14	38
1997-98	Peterborough Petes	OHL	62	44	32	76	60	4	1	0	1	6
1998-99	Peterborough Petes	OHL	44	41	26	67	80	5	4	1	5	4
2000-01	Did Not Play	Ind	Statistics Unavailable
2002-03	Manchester Monarchs	AHL	57	13	5	18	74	--	--	--	--	--
2003-04	Manchester Monarchs	AHL	44	20	14	34	28	6	2	3	5	8
2005-06	Chicago Wolves	AHL	53	32	19	51	54	--	--	--	--	--
2006-07	Grand Rapids Griffins*	AHL	40	4	8	12	26
2006-07	Hershey Bears	AHL	Stats Unavailable
	NHL Totals		27	5	6	11	4

Hedlund's career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997-98	Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks	USHL	56	4	12	16	135	4	0	4	4	0
2000-01	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	38	6	6	12	64
2001-02	Trenton Titans	ECHL	2	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	6
2002-03	Binghamton Senators	AHL	59	1	7	8	48	10	0	0	0	0
2004-05	Binghamton Senators	AHL	75	2	13	15	103	6	0	2	2	25
2006-07	Binghamton Senators*	AHL	56	6	21	27	84
2006-07	Hershey Bears	AHL	Stats Unavailable