Islanders Add Five More Players Ticketed for Lowell

by Alex Pufhal

The parent New York Islanders signed four players and traded for one more on Thursday. All of who should spend time in the American Hockey League this year. The Islanders signed forwards Craig Charron, Mike Kennedy, Ryan Huska and Mike Mader.

They also acqurired forward Nic Beaudoin from Colorado for cash considerations.

All players with the exception of Mader have AHL expereince. Charron is unlikely to wear a Lock Monsters' sweater unless the Rochester Americans let him out of his agreement that binds him to Rochester if he is sent to the AHL. Charron was the Amerks' leading scorer in 1997-98. Mike Kennedy spent most of the season with the St. John's Maple Leafs. He has NHL experience in Toronto and Dallas. Ryan Huska had a brief call-up to Chicago but has spent most of his carreer in Indianapolis.

Mike Mader is a rookie who played at Providence College and spent 2 games with the Springfield Falcons last season.

Beaudoin, 21, split the 1997-98 season between the Canadian National team and the Hershey Bears.