Atlanta Thrashers sign Freddy Meyer
The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have signed defenseman Freddy Meyer to a one-year, $500,000 contract.
Meyer went undrafted and was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers out of Boston University in time for the 2003-04 season.
The New Hampshire native spent three years with the Flyers American Hockey League affiliate the Philadelphia Phantoms before briefly moving to the New York Islanders, and then continuing on to the Phoenix Coyotes. Meyers was brought back into the Islanders organization where he earned a starting role with the club for the next three years. The Thrashers signed Meyer as a free agent, after the Islanders let the 29-year-old walk at the end of 2009-10 season.
General Manager Rick Dudley continues to revamp the Thrashers defence core with the Meyer’s signing. What is nearly a completely different group of defenders than the Thrashers had a year ago, now look ready for the upcoming Nation Hockey League season.
Meyer will provide Dudley with a swing-man. A seventh defender he can put in an out of the line-up as needed. Although Meyer does have a two-way contract, at the moment he is expected to start the 2010-11 campaign with Atlanta in the press box.
Meyers brings reliability in a seventh defender, and his small salary, coupled with the two-way deal makes him the perfect depth defender for an Atlanta organization that constantly struggles to spend to the cap.
Last season with the Islanders Meyer played a career high 64 games, showing that he is capable of taking over full time, as a reliable defender. Ageing quickly and with only a one-year contract, Meyers will be looking to impress the Thrashers brass, in order to acquire a more long-term deal.
Last season with the Islanders Meyer notched four goals, and 11 assists for 15 points, while going minus-two.
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