Start paying attention to the ECHL, gang, because the Calgary Flames have finally put a player with a valid NHL contract in hockey's AA pro league.
Earlier today, the Flames announced that they've re-assigned defenseman Ryan Culkin from the AHL's Stockton Heat to the ECHL's Adirondack Thunder. The Heat also released goalie Eric Hartzell from his try-out due to the arrival for Kevin Poulin. (The moves leave the Heat with 24 healthy players, including eight defensemen.)
Culkin, 21, suffered a shoulder injury during the Penticton YoungStars Classic tournament in late September and has been on the mend ever since.