New York, November 8, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Francois Bouchard from the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenseman Tomas Kundratek.
Bouchard, 23, has skated in 227 career games for the Hershey Bears (AHL), compiling 49 goals and 63 assists for 112 points along with 129 penalty minutes. In 2009-10, Bouchard notched career highs in games played (77), goals (21), assists (31), points (52), plus/minus (21), and penalty minutes (55). Last season, he finished seventh on the Bears in goals (12) and recorded four multi-point games.
The 6-1, 198-pounder has competed in 39 career playoff games for Hershey, registering seven goals and seven assists for 14 points, along with 38 penalty minutes, helping lead the team to back to back Calder Cup Championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10. In 2009-10, Bouchard played in 21 playoff contests, registering 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points, along with 28 penalty minutes. He tied for second among team forwards in plus/minus (9) and tied for seventh in playoff scoring.
The Sherbrook, Quebec native was originally selected as Washington’s second round choice, 35th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Kundratek, 21, has played in 77 career games for the Connecticut Whale (AHL), registering two goals and 12 assists for 14 points, along with 44 penalty minutes. The Trinec, Czech Republic native was originally New York’s third round choice, 90th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
