Bobby Hughes Traded For Rob Hennigar

Rob Hennigar

(Photo by James West)

The Carolina Hurricanes have traded center Bobby Hughes to the New York Islanders in exchange for center Rob Hennigar.

The 26-year-old Hennigar, last listed at 5-foot-11, 194 pounds, split his first professional season in 2008-09 between the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies.

In 38 contests with the Grizzlies, Hennigar tallied 15 goals and 44 assists for 59 points. With the Sound Tigers, he landed 13 points (3 G, 10 A) in 34 games.

The Jordan, Ontario-native spent the previous four years at the University of New Brunswick. He led his team in scoring for four consecutive seasons, shattering university records with 177 points, including 131 assists, in 108 career games. In 2007-08, Hennigar was named Canadian college player-of-the-year.

Prior to getting his education, Hennigar spent four seasons with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. In 278 OHL contests with Windsor, he racked up an impressive 92 goals and 152 assists for 244 points.

Now acquired by Carolina, Hennigar is scheduled to skate somewhere between Albany and Florida in 2009-10.

Taking Hennigar's spot in Bridgeport will be Bobby Hughes, who spent the past two seasons with the River Rats.

Originally from Richmond Hill, Ontario, the 21-year-old Hughes, last listed at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, is one of several Rats to be crippled by an unlucky streak of injuries.

In two years with Albany, Hughes was limited to only 53 contests.

Drafted by Carolina in the fourth round in 2006, Hughes officially kicked off his professional career in 2007. He played just 26 games before suffering a season-ending neck injury. He marked a solid 16 points before his rhythm was interrupted.

In 2008-09, Hughes played seven games early in the season, but was put back on the shelf until mid-February, just in time to be re-injured in the team's bus crash. Hughes was cleared to play in March and skated in 16 games during the final stretch, notching two goals and two assists.

From 2003 to 2007, Hughes spent four years with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. In his final junior year, Hughes was one of the league's top ten scorers, landing 96 points (40 G, 56 A) in 59 regular season games.

If Hughes can stay healthy, he should develop into a nice prospect for the Isles.

According to the Hurricanes' press release, completion of the trade is subject to a physical of Hughes by 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Rats Lose Petruzalek, Flood

The River Rats will have to do without leading scorer Jakub Petruzalek and staple defenseman Mark Flood next season. Both players, who spent the past three years in Albany, have signed to play elsewhere in 2009-10. Petruzalek is heading off to Finland for SM-Liiga, regarded as one of the top European leagues, while Flood has been picked up by the New York Islanders to add depth in Bridgeport.

In 2008-09, Petruzalek scored 54 points (19 G, 35) in 77 games for the Rats, tying teammate Jerome Samson for the title of top scorer. Petruzalek was called up to Carolina mid-season, playing his first two NHL games and tallying his first big-league point.

The young player from the Czech Republic was just one of several skilled forwards fighting for a spot with the Canes. He was ultimately overshadowed by the likes of Brandon Sutter, Michael Ryan and Pat Dwyer.

Petruzalek was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in 2004. The Hurricanes acquired him in 2006 along with a conditional fifth-round pick in exchange for forward Brad Isbister.

Petruzalek will now join the ranks of several talented prospects opting to play in Europe instead of North America. Many are leaving for better salaries overseas.

Mark Flood, a reliable defenseman now destined for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, was obtained by Carolina in 2006 in a move that sent D-man Derrick Walser to Columbus.

During his two-and-a-half-year stint in Albany, Flood developed into a solid two-way player, finishing last season with 31 points (6 G, 25 A) in 76 games.

Flood was considered a team- and fan-favorite. He earned an "A" on his sweater towards the end of last season and wrote a blog, Flood the Ice, for the team's website. Soon to be 25-years-old, he stands a better chance of moving up with the Islanders than he did with the Hurricanes. The Sound Tigers will be lucky to have him. The move is good for everybody except the Rats.

Next year's defense is looking a bit thin. According to the website Hockey's Future, which monitors young prospects, D-man Bryan Rodney was assured a spot on the Hurricanes' roster next season. The Canes may also call up defensemen Brett Carson and/or Casey Borer. Add the loss of Mark Flood and the likely possibility of a few injuries, and the Rats could be struggling in their own end.

There is still plenty of time before the start of the season. We won't know until October what the Rats' roster will truly look like. There should be plenty of new faces. Rookie prospect Jamie McBain, for instance, will be available to pick up at least some of the defensive slack.

Best of luck to both Jakub and Mark...except when Bridgeport plays Albany.