Thrashers notebook
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Anthony Stewart had a little extra incentive for Wednesday's game against the Panthers.
Florida was the team that selected Stewart in the first round of the 2003 draft (No. 25 overall). It was also the team that allowed him to become a free agent two years ago.
Stewart appeared in 105 games with the Panthers over four seasons, but he was not re-signed after the 2008-09 season. The Thrashers signed the free-agent forward, and he spent last season at AHL Chicago. After making the Thrashers' roster this season, Wednesday was his first trip back to Florida.
“The first time coming in it’s a bit exciting, and you want to get it out of the way and perform well against the team that didn’t bring you back,” Stewart said. “There are a great bunch of guys over there, a great coaching staff. I don’t have anything bad to say about them or to them.”
Another familiar opponent
Stewart was not the only player to go up against his former team Wednesday. Former Thrashers center Marty Reasoner plays for the Panthers -- but not until after an interesting summer.
Reasoner was traded to Chicago on June 24 as part of the deal that brought Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel to Atlanta.
He didn’t remain a Blackhawk for long. He was traded to Florida less than a month later, on July 22.
“It was a little bit crazy, but it all worked out for the best,” Reasoner said. “It’s the right spot for me. It was crazy, but at least I didn’t have to move anybody, so that made it a lot easier. We stayed in one spot and watched the whole thing unfold.”
Reasoner said he has been given a new opportunity with the Panthers. He entered Wednesday’s game tied for second on the team with seven points (two goals, five assists). He scored both goals in the team’s season opener.
Etc.
- Boris Valabik cleared re-entry waivers Wednesday and will return to AHL Chicago. The defenseman could have been claimed by another team for half his salary.
- Sopel, who missed Tuesday's practice, was in the lineup. Defenseman Noah Welch, re-called from the AHL on Tuesday, was the team's healthy scratch. He was brought up after Freddy Meyer (mid-body) was placed on injured reserve. Meyer, who did not travel to Florida, missed his fourth game with the injury.
Bryan Little (concussion) also did not travel with the team. He missed his second game.
- The Thrashers entered Wednesday's game fourth in the NHL with 36 goals. They were first, tied with Florida, with 15 different players having scored a goal. According to coach Craig Ramsay, that's just what he hoped with his team approach to scoring.
About the Author
Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.
