Friday, January 15, 2010

Rats sign Zanoski; Canes swap Bowman, Samson

The Albany River Rats today signed forward Tom Zanoski to a professional tryout contract, while the parent Carolina Hurricanes recalled rookie Drayson Bowman and reassigned Jerome Samson.

Zanoski, 24, is the second highest leading scorer on the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL with 18 goals and 15 assists in 25 games. 

Zanoski recently finished his first AHL stint, registering an assist in eights contests with the Binghamton Senators in December and January. 

Zanoski checks in at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds and comes to Albany with two seasons of professional experience under his belt. He started his career in 2007 after two years at Dalhousie University and four junior seasons in the Ontario Hockey League.

Zanoski has skated in a total of 113 ECHL games, picking up 42 goals and 43 assists. 

Zanoski hails from Brampton, Ontario, the same home town as Chris Terry.

Drayson Bowman heads to the NHL for the first time since starting his career with Albany in October. He will likely make his debut tomorrow night in Raleigh against the Atlanta Thrashers. 

Bowman has eight goals and seven assists after 26 games with Albany this season. The rookie sniper returned to action in late December after missing a month with an injured knee. 

Jerome Samson rejoins the Rats after playing five games with the Hurricanes. He was recalled on December 5 and notched an assist during his first NHL shift on January 7 against the Nashville Predators. 

Samson leads the River Rats with 30 points (13 G, 17 A) in 38 games this season and tops the league with 169 shots on goal.