Vishnevskiy traded to Atlanta, assigned to Chicago

The Atlanta Thrashers have assigned defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves after acquiring him and a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Draft from the Dallas Stars, parent club of the AHL’s Texas Stars, in exchange for goaltender Kari Lehtonen.

Vishnevskiy, who was selected in the first round, 27th overall, in the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, has collected eight goals and 24 points in 51 contests with the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars this season. He also appeared in two contests with Dallas earlier this year and participated in the AHL All-Star Classic on Jan. 19.

The 21-year-old blueliner spent last season with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL), tallying 19 points (6G, 13A) and 28 penalty minutes in 67 games. He also skated in three outings with Dallas, notching two assists and two penalty minutes.

Overall, Vishnevskiy has registered two assists in five career NHL games with Dallas, and 43 points (14G, 29A) in 118 career AHL outings with Texas and Peoria.

Prior to turning pro, the Barnaul, Russia, native spent three seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he racked up 44 goals, 100 assists and 144 points in 159 career games from 2005 to 2008.

Lehtonen posted a 1-1-2 record in four games with the Wolves during a conditioning stint from Jan. 22 to Feb. 6. The 26-year-old netminder, who began his North American career with the Wolves, posted a 61-32-6 mark in 102 career outings with Chicago from 2003 to 2005 and conditioning stints in 2007 and 2010.

Vishnevskiy will join the Wolves when they face the Texas Stars at Cedar Park Center on Friday at 7:30 p.m.