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Ice Hockey Spotlight:
Slaney Receives League Honors
Captain's 500th AHL Point Earns CCM/AHL Milestone Of The Month

Thursday, February 1, 2007

By Brian Smith
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

PHILADELPHIA - The American Hockey League announced today that Phantoms captain John Slaney is the recipient of the CCM/AHL Milestone of the Month Award for the month of January. On Jan. 21, Slaney became the first defenseman in the 71-year history of the American Hockey League to reach 500 points in his AHL career when he picked up an assist in a game against the Norfolk Admirals.

The historic point came on a power play with 7:47 remaining in the second period when Slaney helped set up a goal by Stefan Ruzicka. Slaney played the puck behind the net for Mark Cullen, who found Ruzicka in the high slot. Ruzicka snapped home his second of the night past goaltender Patrick Lalime to give the Phantoms a 3-2 lead.

The helper was Slaney's 340th of his AHL career, going along with 160 goals to put him at the 500-point plateau. The native of St. John's, Newfoundland is the 72nd AHL player overall to reach the milestone.

On December 30, 2005, Slaney broke the AHL record for points scored by a defenseman with an assist on a Tony Voce goal vs. Bridgeport. The point was his 454th, breaking Steve Kraftcheck's 41-year old record. He played in his 900th game as a pro this season, reaching the milestone in Hershey on Dec. 27. His next contest, slated to be tomorrow night vs. Hamilton, will be his 600th AHL appearance.

Slaney is in his 15th professional season and seventh with the Phantoms. He has spent at least part of 12 of those seasons in the AHL. Heading into Friday night's game against Hamilton, Slaney has 160 goals and 341 assists for 501 points in 599 career AHL games. His Phantoms regular season totals include 383 games, 79 goals, 196 assists and 275 points: 383(79/196/275).


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