Defenseman Maslonka is called to a higher level

YOUNGSTOWN — SteelHounds defenseman Milan Maslonka has been called up the American Hockey League’s Albany River Rats.

Maslonka (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) is a second-year pro originally from Zvolen, Slovakia. The 21-year-old was acquired by Youngstown last season after starting his pro career with the Elmira Jackals of the United Hockey League.

In 39 games with Youngstown this season he had three goals, four assists and 210 penalty minutes. In 67 career games with the SteelHounds, he had 14 points and 343 penalty minutes.

“Well deserved,” SteelHounds coach Kevin Kaminski. “Milan has played well for us and with his size and strength I knew that the higher level teams were going to want him and I am very happy for Milan.”

The River Rats are the top affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League.

Maslonka becomes the fifth SteelHounds player to earn a call-up to the AHL this season. Forward Kirill Starkov is with the Syracuse Crunch while defenseman Stephen Margeson has been with the Lake Erie Monsters since October.

Petr Pohl played two games with the Syracuse Crunch earlier this season and goaltender Andy Franck recorded a 7-1-1 record with the Providence Bruins.

Also, the SteelHounds acquired defenseman David Simoes from the New Mexico Scorpions, which completed the trade that sent Erik Johnson to New Mexico Nov. 28.

Simoes, 22, is a rookie from Vanderhoof, B.C. In 45 games with the Scorpions he had one goal, five assists and 146 penalty minutes.