BRODIE DUPONT TRADED

Brodie Dupont, who’s spent the last four years in Hartford and finally broke through getting his first experience in the NHL this past year playing one game with the New York Rangers, was traded by the only team he’s ever played for as a pro to the Nashville Predators for forward Andreas Thuresson.

Thuresson is 23 years old and has played 22 games in the NHL with the Predators where he notched a goal and two helpers.

Dupont was, “a little shocked,” the 24 year old Russell, Manitoba native said.

The popular Wolf Pack / Whale forward received the news from Ranger’s Assistant Director, Player Personnel Jeff Gorton who told Dupont that his service was appreciated and that he’d been traded. “This was the first time I’ve ever been traded so I’m a little in shock.”

The next call for Dupont came from Nashville’s Assistant General Manager Paul Fenton who gave him a welcome to the organization and told him that he would be, “a bubble guy” for the Predators and that he would be given a real chance to make the big club in training camp.

Almost on cue, just after hanging up from Fenton, Rangers Assistant Manager and Whale GM Jim Schoenfeld. “Schoney had nothing but nice things to say to me. He said that the organization was grateful for all that I’ve done and that they felt that the change of scenery could help get me to the next level.”

“I’ll take a few days to drink it all in,” Dupont said. “Tell the fans that it was a great experience to be around them and I’m grateful for the great support they’ve given me over the years. I loved being in Hartford”

“I’ve got some real mixed feelings about it. I loved the coaching staff, the organization and especially the fans in Hartford. It was a great group of guys in the room. It was just a great organization to be associated with. But I’m trying to look at it all positively and hope that the change of scenery gets me to my dream of playing in the NHL”

Here’s the official release:

RANGERS ACQUIRE FORWARD ANDREAS THURESSON FROM NASHVILLE

New York sends forward Brodie Dupont to the Predators
New York, July 2, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Andreas Thuresson from Nashville in exchange for forward Brodie Dupont.

Thuresson, 23, skated in 76 games with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, registering 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points, along with 41 penalty minutes.  He established AHL career-highs in assists, points, penalty minutes, power play goals (five), and shots (157), and tied his career-high in goals.  Thuresson tied for second on the Admirals in power play goals, fourth in goals and ranked fifth in points.  He tied his career-highs with seven multi-point performances and a five-game point streak from March 22 vs. Oklahoma City to March 30 vs. San Antonio (three goals, three assists over the span).  In 13 Calder Cup Playoff contests, Thuresson tied for fourth on the Admirals with three goals, and added three assists for six points.  In addition, he skated in three games with the Nashville Predators.

In 2009-10, Thuresson registered three points (one goal, two assists) in 22 contests with Nashville, making his NHL debut on October 31, 2009 vs. Dallas.  He tallied his first career NHL point with an assist on November 7, 2009 at Los Angeles, and notched his first NHL goal on December 31 at Columbus.  Thuresson has appeared in 25 career NHL contests with Nashville over two seasons.

The 6-1, 215-pounder has skated in 277 career AHL contests with Milwaukee, registering 53 goals and 65 assists for 118 points, along with 134 penalty minutes.  He made his professional debut on October 6, 2007 at Peoria, and recorded his first professional point with a shorthanded goal on October 19, 2007 vs. Iowa.  In Calder Cup Playoff action, Thuresson has appeared in 37 career contests with Milwaukee, registering eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points, along with 34 penalty minutes.  He established playoff career-highs with seven assists and nine points in seven contests during the 2010 playoffs.

The Kristianstad, Sweden native was originally selected as Nashville’s fifth round choice, 144th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Dupont, 24, skated in 72 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale (AHL) last season, registering 14 goals and 31 assists for 45 points, along with 78 penalty minutes.  He also made his NHL debut with the Rangers on January 22 at Atlanta.  The Russell, Manitoba native was originally selected as the Rangers’ third round choice, 66th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.