Senators acquire Ray from Sabres
By Phil Coffey | NHL.com
March 10, 2003

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The Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres have become trade partners in recent weeks with the clubs making another deal Monday that sends veteran forward Rob Ray to the Senators in exchange for future considerations.
On Feb. 25, Ottawa acquired winger Vaclav Varada and a fifth-round pick in the 2003 Entry Draft from the Sabres for prospect Jakub Klepis.

Ray, 34, has been a fixture for the Sabres since turning pro in 1989, forging a strong bond with the community. He also is one of the League's legendary tough guys, having twice led the NHL in penalty minutes.

This season, Ray's role in Buffalo was limited. He had no points, 92 penalty minutes and a minus-5 rating in 41 games. He has been a healthy scratch in 27 games.

The trade marks the first time Ray will wear another NHL jersey. Over 889 regular-season games with the Sabres, Ray scored 40 goals and assisted on 50 others. He also picked up a hefty 3,189 penalty minutes. Ottawa acquired Ray with an eye towards the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where his presence will be a deterrent to foes who might want to take liberties with the smaller, finesse-oriented Senators lineup. In 55 career playoff games, Ray has three goals and two assists and 169 penalty minutes.

Ray, who's fourth all-time with the Sabres in games played, surpassed Tim Hunter this season for fifth on the NHL's all-time penalty minutes list. Ray is the active NHL leader in penalty minutes and holds the League's record for most with one team.

In 1999, Ray won the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contributions to the community. Ray was the recipient for his enthusiastic commitment to numerous charities in Western New York. In addition, Ray was recognized in 1999 as the recipient of the NHL Foundation Player Award honoring the NHL player who applies the core values of hockey - commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- to enrich the lives of people in the community.

Ray was originally drafted by Buffalo in the fifth round (97th overall) of the 1988 Entry Draft.


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