Sunday, April 13, 2008

Kulda impressing with Wolves

If you're looking for Angelo Esposito, go to this initial post, or the one about his AHL debut.

If you're either Latvian, or a Thrasher fan looking for some hope on the blue line, you've come to the right place. (Hello Latvia!)

Arturs Kulda signed an amateur tryout with the Wolves a couple weeks ago after his season with Peterborough ended, and has played four of the team's last five games. He's getting good minutes too, on the power play and penalty kill. How has this happened? The Wolves were thin on defense with Boris Valabik called up and Grant Lewis hurt, so Kulda got his chance. He played well enough to earn more and more time. It's quite impressive for a defenseman who isn't even 20 yet.

Skating and skills coach Kenny McCudden is very high on Kulda after seeing him in game action for the first time this year. He said he thinks Atlanta found a diamond in the rough with him. McCudden said that the other night, he thought Kulda was the Wolves' second best defenseman after Joel Kwiatkowski.

The Thrashers haven't yet signed Kulda to a contract, but given his ability to step right into the AHL, he doesn't have anything to worry about.

Below are some photos of Kulda from last night's game. I plan to talk to him today.





Kulda was partnered with veteran Joel Kwiatkowski last night.

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