Rangers Acquire David LeNeveu, Fredrik Sjostrom, Josh Gratton, and a Conditional Draft Pick

New York sends Al Montoya and Marcel Hossa to Phoenix

Tuesday, February 26, 2007 - 5:07 PM

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired goaltender David LeNeveu, forwards Fredrik Sjostrom and Josh Gratton, and a conditional draft pick from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for goaltender Al Montoya and forward Marcel Hossa.

LeNeveu, 24, has appeared in 21 games with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, posting a 9-7-3 record, along with a 2.66 goals against average, a .911 save percentage and one shutout. He has also appeared in 21 career NHL contests in two seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes, posting a 5-9-2 record, a 3.38 goals against average and a .888 save percentage. In 2005-06, he established career-highs in games played (15), wins (three) and goals against average (3.24 GAA). The 6-1, 187-pound goaltender recorded his first NHL win with a 24-save performance vs. St. Louis on October 25, 2005.

The native of Fernie, British Columbia, LeNeveu was originally Phoenix’s second round selection, 46th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Sjostrom, 24, has appeared in 51 games with the Phoenix Coyotes this season, registering 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points, along with 14 penalty minutes. His 10 goals mark a career-high, and are currently tied for fifth on the Coyotes. He also ranks second on the team with two shorthanded goals. In addition, Sjostrom has recorded three multi-point games and posted a season-high, three-game goal streak from December 15 to December 18, tallying four goals over the span. He recorded his first career hat trick on October 11 at Nashville, and collected a career-high, three assists on December 8 at Los Angeles.

The 6-1, 217-pound forward has skated in 261 career NHL contests with the Phoenix Coyotes, recording 32 goals and 41 assists for 73 points, along with 126 penalty minutes. In 2005-06, he established career-highs in assists (17) and points (23). He made his NHL debut on November 30, 2003 at Boston, and recorded his first NHL point with a goal on December 12, 2003 vs. Edmonton.

A native of Fargelanda, Sweden, Sjostrom was originally Phoenix’s first pick, 11th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Gratton, 25, has appeared in one game with the Phoenix Coyotes this season, registering five penalty minutes and a plus-one rating. He has also skated in 38 games with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL) this season, collecting five goals and nine assists for 14 points, along with 124 penalty minutes. He currently ranks third on San Antonio in penalty minutes (124) and is tied for 12th on the team in scoring with 14 points. The 6-2, 214-pound forward has appeared in 67 career NHL contests with the Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes, recording two goals and one assist for three points, along with 237 penalty minutes. In 2006-07, he established career-highs in games played (52), assists (one), points (two), and penalty minutes (188). His 188 penalty minutes ranked second in the NHL.

The Brantford, Ontario native was originally signed as a free agent by Philadelphia on July 27, 2004.

Montoya, 23, appeared in 31 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, posting a record of 16-8-3, a 2.54 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.

Hossa, 26, skated in 36 games with the Rangers this season, tallying one goal and seven assists, along with 24 penalty minutes.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack home games are on sale at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including Macy's at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at (860) 525-4500, (203) 744-8100, (203) 624-0033 or (413) 733-2500, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. Throughout the 2007-08 Wolf Pack season, kids are always $10. Any seat. Any game.

Wolf Pack season tickets are also on sale now. For information on all of the Wolf Pack's ticketing options, including full-season, five, 10 and 20-game packages, coupon books and group discounts, contact the Wolf Pack Ticket Office at (860) 548-2000.



The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is newly operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities. The team is owned by Madison Square Garden LP.