Canadiens Loan Stewart To Chicago

Chuck Bryan

Mar 10 |16:17 PM

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Mike Vance (Photo courtesy of Hamilton Bulldogs)

The Atlanta Thrashers have loaned defenseman Mike Vernace to the Hamilton Bulldogs and reassigned defenseman Grant Lewis to the Hershey Bears. In addition, the Montreal Canadiens have loaned left wing Greg Stewart to the Chicago Wolves.

STEWART has posted 10 points (5G, 5A) and 90 penalty minutes in 45 games with Hamilton this season. The 23-year-old forward is in his fourth professional campaign and has accrued 22 goals, 22 assists, 44 points and 397 penalty minutes in 165 career American Hockey League games with the Bulldogs (2007 to 2010), which includes playing for Wolves Head Coach DON LEVER and Assistant Coach RON WILSON from 2007 to 2009.

The Kitchener, Ontario, native also has appeared in 26 National Hockey League contests with Montreal, notching one assist and 48 penalty minutes, which includes collecting 11 penalty minutes in five outings with the Canadiens this season.

Prior to turning pro, STEWART spent three seasons with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, accruing 83 points (44G, 39A) and 270 penalty minutes in 186 games from 2003 to 2006. He also spent the 2006-07 campaign with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones, where he collected 23 points (8G, 15A) and 126 penalty minutes in 62 matchups.

VERNACE has appeared in 47 contests with Chicago this season, recording 10 assists, 12 points and 29 penalty minutes during his fourth professional campaign.

LEWIS has recorded three points (G, 2A) and 23 penalty minutes in 26 games with the Wolves this season, his third campaign with the team. The 25-year-old blueliner, who was a member of Chicago's 2008 Calder Cup Championship team, set career highs last season with 22 assists and 72 penalty minutes in 54 outings with the Wolves.

The Wolves return to action on Friday when they host the Toronto Marlies at the Allstate Arena at 7:30 p.m. For more information, or tickets to the game, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit chicagowolves.com.

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