Surging Rats Add Goaltender

Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Rink Rats have announced that they have agreed to terms with the Waterloo Lunatics to acquire goaltender, Scott Clemmensen to backup injured goaltender, Ryan Miller. Clemmensen will start the majority of games for the Rink Rats while Miller is on the shelf being backed up by rookie goaltender Jimmy Howard. Howard and Brian Elliott split time since Miller went down with a groin injury last week and couldn’t effectively get the job done. Although both look to have a bright future in the WHL, Clemmensen will be a good fit in Minnesota backing up Miller.

As part of the deal, Minnesota agreed to send winger Nikolai Kulemin and a 4th round pick in exchange for Dustin Boyd and Vladimir Sobotka. Boyd is familiar with Minnesota’s organization as he spent his rookie season playing on this squad and was the first draft pick made by GM LaDouceur’s management team. Sobotka, who has appeared in 18 contests in Waterloo this season, has been recalled by Minnesota and will get his chance to impress coach, Dan Bylsma against the Dropkicks this evening.

“We needed help in net and that’s the major reason we sought out a trade partner and made this deal”, stated GM Rink Rat. “Jimmy (Howard) looked good and I think he’ll be a full-timer next season, but he’s not ready to carry the load quite yet. He needs a little more development before we can count on him full-time. Clemmensen is a dependable backup and will help our situation. We liked Kulemin a lot, and we’re sad to see him go. However, Dustin and Vlad both have good potential and play sound two-way games as well. Both guys have offensive potential that has yet to be tapped.”

The Rink Rats have a home and home series coming up against the Dropkicks. In their only meeting this season, Minnesota struggled to get anything going in a 6-2 loss. With some new chemistry and Sobotka playing an energy role on the 3rd line, Minnesota hopes to change the outcome of their next

Other Rats News:
- The Rink Rats who have played fairly well as of late. They've climbed out of the gutter and into 5th place in their conference. Rookie, David Krejci continues to lead the way for the squad posting impressive numbers for any player, let alone a rookie with 14 goals & 32 assists. Derek Roy (15 goals, 27 assists), Mike Cammalleri (26 goals, 14 assists) and Matthew Lombardi (20 goals, 17 assists) have also been strong offensively.

- Mike Cammalleri was announced to the WHL All-Star Game last week. Cammalleri has 26 goals and 14 assists through 44 games played.

- Recent acquisitions Brad Richards and Kyle Quincey have made an immediate impact in Minnesota. Through his first 8 games, Richards has 5 goals and 4 assists and is +1. Quincey, who had trouble finding ice time over veterans in Nashville, has 4 assists and is +2 through his first 8 games played.

- The Clemmensen trade may not be the only one in the works in Minnesota. Rumors have the Rink Rats talking to representatives in New York in a deal centering on one of their younger defenseman. We’ll continue to update you on any updates.

- Minnesota has put Brent Burns in a more offensive role recently hoping to get him back on track to his performance of last year. Burns has started to get time on the first powerplay unit and first line after being demoted to a second line role early in the season. Burns is currently third on the team in assists but has struggled putting the puck in the net this season.