From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

G JOSH HARDING ASSIGNED TO AEROS

Second-round pick in 2002 and former WHL Player of the Year joins Houston

Houston, TX – The Minnesota Wild have reassigned goaltender Josh Harding on loan from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League to the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League, the teams announced Tuesday. The 19-year-old second-round draft pick also joined Houston for its 2003 Calder Cup run after signing an NHL contract with Minnesota April 5, 2003. Harding’s Wheat Kings were defeated by heavily favored Medicine Hat in five games last week in the WHL Playoffs.

Harding (6/18/84) split 2003-04 with Regina and Brandon and combined for a 25-25-5 record with a 2.42 goals against average and seven shutouts. Overall in three WHL seasons – 2 ½ with Regina – Harding sported a 70-62-19 mark with a 2.53 goals against average. Harding, who was the 2003 WHL Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year, was selected No. 38 overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and was the first ever goaltender selection in the draft by the Wild. He backed up Manny Fernandez one time for Minnesota in the 2002-03 season. Harding, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound native of Regina, Sask., won a silver medal with Canada at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Finland.

The Aeros play host to Cincinnati in the best-of-three West Division Qualifying Round, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. at Toyota Center. Game B is Saturday at 7 p.m., while Game C, if necessary, will be played Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets for Games A and B are on sale now at the Toyota Center Box Office (Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.), online at www.aeros.com, by calling 1.866.GO.AEROS or at select Randall’s locations.

Qualifying Round individual tickets range from $14 to $58, and full playoff strips start at just $238.

For a limited time, order our Playoff Voucher Pack (four tickets to one Qualifying Round game) through www.aeros.com/themenights and get a $25 gift certificate to Churasscos. Username is Calder, password is Cup. Also, Thursday will be an Aeros Playoff Happy Hour. Get one center ice ticket and $10 in Toyota Center bucks for only $35. Username is Happy, password is Aeros. Also, Sunday (if necessary) is an Aeros Family Day. Get four tickets, four pucks, $20 in Toyota Center bucks and one parking pass starting at only $71. (Username family, password Aeros). Call 713.974.PUCK for more information.