Friday, June 19, 2009

GLENDALE, ARIZONA -- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have acquired left wing Stefan Meyer from the Florida Panthers in exchange for the rights to pending unrestricted free agent center Steven Reinprecht.

"Steven was a professional individual throughout his time in Phoenix and we wish to thank him for his service to our organization," said Maloney.  "However, as a pending unrestricted free agent, we did not intend to re-sign him and we are excited to add a young prospect in Stefan Meyer to our organization."

RELATED AUDIO: Stefan Meyer Interview

Meyer, 23, recorded 18-22-40 and 57 penalty minutes (PIM) in 65 games last season with Rochester of the American Hockey League (AHL) to rank 3rd on the team in scoring. In 266 career AHL games with Rochester, the native of Medicine Hat, Alberta has registered 64-66-130 and 363 PIM. He also appeared in four NHL games with Florida during the 2007-08 campaign.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Meyer spent four full seasons (2001-2005) with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League (WHL) prior to his professional career, collecting 123-123-246 and 311 PIM in 282 career games. In 2004, he helped lead Medicine Hat to the WHL Championship, recording 7-10-17 in 19 playoff games. He also scored two goals in four games during the 2004 Memorial Cup.

Meyer was originally selected by Florida in the second round (55th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Reinprecht, 33, registered 14-27-41 and 20 PIM in 73 games with the Coyotes last season. In 552 career NHL games with Los Angeles, Colorado, Calgary and the Coyotes, the 6-foot, 200-pound Reinprecht has recorded 120-214-334 and 162 PIM. He was acquired by the Coyotes from Calgary on Feb. 1, 2006.