WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder pulled off a deadline deal with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Monday, acquiring left wing Neil Clark in exchange for defenseman Jim Jorgensen.
Clark is in his fourth season of professional hockey and joins Wichita with 77 points and 507 PIM in 186 career games. The Burnaby, British Columbia native racked up at least 123 PIM in each of his first three professional seasons.
The 28-year old Clark had three goals, three assists, and 67 PIM in 26 games for the Mudbugs this year. Clark enjoyed his best season to date last year, setting career-bests with 21 goals, 36 points, and 160 PIM. During his rookie season with the Laredo Bucks in 2006-07, Clark scored 12 points in 21 playoff games to help Laredo win the Southern Conference championship.
Clark has been called up to the AHL in each of the last two years and also attended training camp with the Detroit Red Wings prior to the 2007 season.
Jorgensen had 16 points in 42 games, and was the Thunder's representative in the All-Star Game. In addition to Jorgensen, the Mudbugs received the rights to Jason Deleurme, who left the Thunder in December to pursue hockey opportunities overseas.
The Thunder next plays on Wednesday when they host the Colorado Eagles at the INTRUST Bank Arena at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
-Thunder-
