Slaney earns Milestone of the Month

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has named Philadelphia Phantoms defenseman John Slaney the recipient of the CCM/AHL Milestone of the Month award for December.

On Dec. 30 at the Wachovia Spectrum, Slaney became the AHL’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen, assisting on a third-period goal by Tony Voce for his 454th career point. Slaney surpassed the mark set by Steve Kraftcheck during a 13-year career between 1949 and 1964.

The 33-year-old Slaney made his professional debut at the end of the 1991-92 season, and now stands with 155 goals and 299 assists in 532 career AHL games with the Phantoms, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Cornwall Aces, Portland Pirates and Baltimore Skipjacks. He captured the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s top blueliner in both 2000-01 and 2001-02.

Slaney appeared in four consecutive AHL All-Star Classics from 2000-03, winning MVP honors at the 2001 event in Wilkes-Barre and serving as captain for the Canadian team in his hometown of St. John’s, Nfld., in 2002. He is the all-time leading scorer in All-Star Game history with eight career points.

In 2005, Slaney won his first professional championship, capturing the Calder Cup with the Phantoms.

In recognition of earning the CCM/AHL Milestone of the Month, Slaney will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Phantoms home game.