Predators sign Tootoo, Brookbank, Abid

Sheldon Brookbank Ramzi Abid

Nashville, Tenn. - Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced Friday that the club has re-signed restricted free-agent defenseman Sheldon Brookbank (SHEHL-dohn BRUK-bank) to a one-year contract.  The Predators also signed unrestricted free-agent forward Ramzi Abid (RAM-zee a-BIHD) to a one-year contract. Additional terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Tootoo, 23 (2/2/83), appeared in 34 games with the Predators in 2005-06, topping his point (4g-6a-10pts) and assist totals from his rookie season (4g-4a-8pts in 70 games in 2003-04) in less than half the games.  Raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, the 5-9, 194-pound right wing also tied for third on the club with a +9 rating and registered 55 penalty minutes.

Nashville's sixth choice, 98th overall (fourth round), in the 2001 Entry Draft also played 41 games this past season with the Predators' primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals.  Tootoo notched 27 points (13g-14a) and 133 penalty minutes during the regular season and he potted nine goals and 11 points (9g-2a) in 15 games as the Admirals advanced to the Calder Cup Finals.

Brookbank, 25 (10/3/80), posted 35 points (9g-26a) and a team-high 232 penalty minutes for the Admirals in 2005-06.  The 6-2, 200-pound rearguard registered the best offensive numbers of his pro career in 2005-06, ranking second among Milwaukee backliners in scoring.  He also chipped in nine points (1g-8a) and a team-high 49 penalty minutes in the post-season.  The Lanigan, Sask. native was originally signed by Nashville as a free agent on August 9, 2005.

Abid, 26 (3/24/80), led the 2005-06 Chicago Wolves (AHL) in goals (34), assists (42) and points (76) and ranked third on the club with 165 penalty minutes.  The 6-2, 215-pound left winger also recorded two assists in six NHL games with Atlanta.  A first-round pick (28th overall) of the Colorado Avalanche in 1998, the Montreal native has appeared in 55 career NHL games with Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Atlanta, posting 25 points (13g-12a-25pts).