FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, November 6, 2009

Heshka

GLENDALE, ARIZONA -- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have recalled defenseman Shaun Heshka from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.

Heshka, 24, has recorded 2-2-4 and 18 penalty minutes (PIM) in 13 games with San Antonio this season. In 2008-09, Heshka registered 3-23-26 with 25 PIM and a +17 rating in 77 games with Manitoba (AHL). He ranked 2nd on the team in points among defenseman (26) and T-3rd on the team in plus/minus (+17). Heshka also collected five assists in 22 playoff games last season, helping Manitoba advance to the Calder Cup Finals.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Heshka has appeared in 224 career AHL games over four seasons with Manitoba and San Antonio, collecting 16-50-66 with 118 PIM and a +35 rating. Prior to his professional career, the native of Melville, Saskatchewan spent three seasons (2003-2006) with Everett of the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he recorded 25-82-107 and 137 PIM in 204 games, along with 5-12-17 in 46 career playoff games.

Heshka was acquired by the Coyotes from Vancouver in exchange for a seventh round choice in the 2009 Entry Draft on June 27, 2009.