The Norfolk Admirals' opening-night roster continued to take shape Monday as the Tampa Bay Lightning re-assigned goaltender Karri Ramo and defenseman Vladimir Mihalik to the AHL club.
The moves highlighted a flurry of personnel activity for the Admirals. Also on Monday, the team released five players, including Virginia Beach's Jay Holladay and IHL Rookie of the Year Luciano Aquino.
In addition, the Admirals acquired Juraj Simek, a left winger who had seven goals and 17 assists in his 66-game AHL debut season last year with the Manitoba Moose. Simek was part of a four-player trade between Tampa Bay and Vancouver; the Lightning dealt defenseman Shane O'Brien and winger Michel Ouellet and acquired defenseman Lukas Krajicek and Simek.
The re-assignment of Ramo was expected. The Lightning have talked openly about how the Finland native, one of their top prospects, would benefit more from regular work in the AHL than occasional duty with the Lightning.
Ramo also began the 2007-08 season in Norfolk but suffered an ankle injury after appearing in just one game. He wound up spending the bulk of the season in Tampa Bay.
Mihalik enjoyed a strong preseason camp with the Lightning and appeared in both of Tampa Bay's season-opening games against the New York Rangers over the weekend in the Czech Republic.
The 30th overall pick in the 2005 draft, Mihalik led the Admirals with a plus-9 rating last season, his first as a pro.
Defenseman Kevin Quick, goalie Craig Kowalski and forward Mathieu Curadeau were also released.
Paul White, (757) 418-1447, paul.white@pilotonline.com
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