PHILADELPHIA (CP-AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers strengthened themselves up the middle Thursday, acquiring Alexei Zhamnov from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Flyers sent defenceman Jim Vandermeer, centre Colin Fraser and a 2004 second-round pick to Chicago for Zhamnov and a 2004 fourth-round selection.
``Zhamnov is a tremendous hockey player,'' said Flyers general manager Bob Clarke. ``Zhamnov is a really terrific player.
``He is a complete player; he is really good with the puck. He's really good defensively and he's got good speed. He can kill penalties and is good on faceoffs.''
The addition of Zhamnov certainly fills a need for the Flyers, with veteran centres Jeremy Roenick (concussion, broken jaw) and Keith Primeau (concussion) both injured.
Zhamnov, 33, had back surgery early in the season that forced to miss 35 games. In 23 contests this year, he had six goals and 12 assists.
``My back is fine,'' Zhamnov said. ``It's getting better and better.
``The last months have been kind of tough for me because there have been a lot of rumours and a lot of questions, basically the same questions every day. I'm happy right now that everything is over. ``Philly is a great team. I look forward to being here. I spent eight years in Chicago and I didn't have the chance to really fight for the Stanley Cup.''
Zhamnov began his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-'93 and spent four seasons there before being dealt to Chicago in 1996. Zhamnov has appeared in 763 career NHL games, registering 243 goals and 448 assists . He has suited up for 17 playoff games, accumulating two goals and three assists.
Vandermeer, 23, played in 23 games this year with the Flyers, registering three goals and five points with 25 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 26 contests with the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms, accumulating one goal and seven points and 120 penalty minutes.
Vandermeer has played in 47 career NHL games, accumulating five goals and three assists with 52 penalty minutes.
Fraser, 19, was Philadelphia's third round pick (69th overall) in the 2003 entry draft from the WHL's Red Deer Rebels. This year, Fraser is the Rebels' scoring leader with 24 goals and 22 assists in 60 games. The six-foot-one, 180-pound forward was a member of the Canadian under-18 team that won the gold medal at the 2002 Nations Cup.
``We have acquired two players who we feel fit the direction we are going,'' Blackhawks general manager Bob Pulford said on the club's website. ``Alex Zhamnov is a real pro and a player who has given his heart and soul to the Blackhawks over the past eight seasons.
``He has been an outstanding player in this league for a long time and we wish Alex nothing but the best.''