Canucks Sign Centre Byron Ritchie and Winger Brad Isbister
Tue. Jul 3, 2007

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have signed centre Byron Ritchie and winger Brad Isbister. In keeping with club policy, no financial terms of the deal will be released.

Ritchie, 30, comes to Vancouver after having played the 2006-07 season with the Calgary Flames. The 5’10”, 190-pound centre registered 14 points (8-6-14) and 68 penalty minutes in 64 games as well as 10 penalty minutes in one playoff game. The Burnaby, B.C. native has appeared in 253 career NHL games, recording 47 points (22-25-47) and 293 penalty minutes with three NHL teams.

The centre was originally selected 165th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Hartford Whalers.

Isbister, 30, joins the Canucks after having registered five points (1-4-5) and 14 penalty minutes in 19 games with the New York Rangers during the 2006-07 season. The Edmonton, Alberta native also saw time in four playoff games, registering two penalty minutes. The nine year NHL veteran has recorded 211 points (100-111-211) and 577 penalty minutes in 486 games played with five NHL teams. Isbister has represented Canada on the International stage on a number of occasions including the 2000 and 2001 World Championships and winning a Gold Medal at the 1997 World Junior Championships.

The 6’4”, 227-pound left-winger was originally drafted 67th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.