The Portland Pirates’ first game at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee will be played without a pair of players the team was counting on for some offensive production.
The Phoenix Coyotes announced Wednesday that they have recalled forwards Brandon Yip and Tim Kennedy from the Pirates. To make room, they have returned Chris Brown and Lucas Lessio to the Pirates.
Yip has played the majority of his professional career in the National Hockey League. Last year, the forward scored three goals and added five assists in 34 games for Nashville. In 172 career NHL games, Yip has 56 points with Colorado and Nashville.
Kennedy, who would have started his second stint with the Pirates on Wednesday, was on the team during its affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres. He has since played for five AHL teams and three NHL teams. Last year, he skated for the Worcester Sharks in the AHL.
Brown spent last season with the Pirates, registering 47 points in 68 games. He made the Coyotes’ opening roster this season after training camp. In three games with Phoenix this season, Brown had 17 penalty minutes and no points.
Lessio made his NHL debut with Phoenix this season after spending just five games in Portland at the end of last season. Prior to that, Lessio had 34 points in 35 games with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. Lessio also made the Coyotes’ roster out of training camp.
The Pirates open their AHL schedule Wednesday night at the Colisee in Lewiston against the Manchester Monarchs. Game time is set for 7 p.m.