Monday, October 31, 2011

Wild Re-Assign Bulmer to the Rockets

Press Release

The Minnesota Wild have sent 19-year-old forward Brett Bulmer back to the Kelowna Rockets.

Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher announced on Monday that Bulmer was reassigned to the Rockets after playing in nine NHL games with Minnesota and recording three assists.

"Obviously this couldn't come at a better time for us, with the injury situation we have here," said Rockets president/general manager Bruce Hamilton. "He will be a great big boost to the dressing room and on the ice we're going to have to get him matched up with who the coaches think he's going to work best with."

Bulmer notched three assists, had six penatly minutes and had a plus-1 rating in his nine game stint with the Wild. The 6-foot-3 native of Prince George made his NHL debut Oct. 8 against Columbus and registered his first NHL point on Oct. 10 against the New York Islanders.

During his time with the Wild, Bulmer impressed with his gritty play with many observers feeling he was going to stick in the NHL. The Wild however scratched Bulmer on Saturday in a game that would have been his 10th and would have kicked in the first year of his NHL contract. The NHL team opted to send him back to junior for another year of development.

"It's going to be an adjustment for Brett, but we're thrilled to get him back," said Hamilton. "He may be discouraged and we need to let him go through that. He'll need a few days."

In 57 games with the Rockets last season he had 49 points (18-31-49) and 109 penalty minutes. He was drafted by Minnesota in the second round of the 2010 NHL entry Draft, 39th overall. The Rockets selected the Prince George native in the 11th round of the 2007 WHL bantam draft.

Hamilton said while Bulmer could be discouraged by getting so close to the NHL, he will be on the radar for Team Canada's World Junior team and turning his attention to the world juniors will be something positive he can focus on.

"He's got to get going right away because we want him to make the world junior team," said Hamilton, adding that a more mature Bulmer will be a fine addition to a young Rockets club. "He's grown up a ton from this time last year and he will be very influential in our dressing room."

Bulmer is expected in the lineup this weekend when the Rockets host the Portland Winterhawks for two games at Prospera Place on Friday and Saturday.


(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: