MERCYHURST'S COTTREAU SIGNS WITH ALBANY (AHL)

Courtesy of Albany River Rats

ALBANY, NY - The Albany River Rats announced today that they have signed forward Ben Cottreau to an American Hockey League standard player's contract for the remainder of the 2007-08 season.

Cottreau, 22, recently completed his senior season at Mercyhurst College where he had 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 34 games played. The Toronto, Ontario native was a co-captain for the Lakers and led the team in points and assists, even while missing seven of the team's 41 games. Cottreau, 5'11" 205 lbs, completed his four-year Division I career by being named to the Atlantic Hockey Association Second Team All-Conference and being nominated for the 2008 Frozen Four Skills Challenge in Denver, Colorado. As a freshman Cottreau helped Mercyhurst advance to the 2005 NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament and he scored a goal in the Lakers' 5-4 loss to Boston College in the East Regional Semifinals at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. In four years at Mercyhurst Cottreau had 156 points (61 goals, 95 assists) in 132 games played; he ranks seventh in the school's All-Time list in points and tied for seventh in assists, game-winning goals (8), power play goals (26).

Cottreau will be joining the River Rats Thursday night in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and will be making his AHL and professional hockey debut for Albany on Friday night as they take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:05 pm at Wachovia Arena.

In other news the River Rats announced that they have released forward Mark Pavli from his Amateur Tryout Agreement. Pavli made his River Rats debut on Wednesday night against Hershey, while also making his AHL and Pro hockey debut.

The River Rats hit the road for seven straight games away from home, beginning on Friday, March 21st against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:05 pm at Wachovia Arena. Albany's next home game is on Wednesday, April 9th against the Norfolk Admirals, a 7:00 pm face off at the Times Union Center.

River Rats playoff ticket packages for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs are on sale now, with special pricing available for children and seniors. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.