The Islanders yesterday traded defenseman Branislav Mezei to Florida for forward Jason Wiemer.
The trade, which comes without the flash of a big-time free-agent signing, gives the Islanders another pair of fists – for it was a lack of grit that contributed to their first-round exit from the playoffs after a bloody Toronto series.
“We needed to add some toughness,” Milbury said.
After the draft day acquisition of Arron Asham and the addition of the 26-year-old Wiemer, who totaled 355 penalty minutes the last two years, Milbury feels the Isles now have some heavy hitters to counter the Darcy Tuckers and Gary Roberts of the league.
“We’re not going to be fun to play against,” Milbury said.
The 6-foot-1 Wiemer was suspended for jamming the butt end of a stick into Tucker’s head in a November game in Toronto.
Wiemer, a Group II who needs to be signed before camp, made $1.225 million last year.
A former teammate of Brad Isbister and Dave Scatchard with Portland of the WHL, Wiemer is a ferocious hitter but also can put the puck in the net, as he accumulated 31 points last year with 11 goals. He’s a former assistant captain with the Lightning and Flames.
Isle fans remember Wiemer playing a large part in a disappointing 6-6 tie last year against Florida in which he dished out three assists after the Isles had jumped out to a 5-2 lead.
“We talked about this trade as far back as the draft,” said Milbury, who was concerned with Wiemer’s history of concussions.
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In other news, the Isles announced the signing of elite prospect Mattias Weinhandl to an entry-level contract. A third-round selection by the Isles in 1999, Weinhandl has been playing in Sweden after recovering from a serious eye injury.
Against the Czech team in the 1999 Four Nations tournament, Weinhandl was on the receiving end of a vicious and deliberate ax chop by Michal Travnicek that put Weinhandl’s career on hold.
Coincidentally, Travnicek is enlisted in the Toronto system after serving a one-year suspension from international play for the Weinhandl hit.
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JASON WIEMER
6-1, 226
Shoots: Left
Born: 04/14/1976
Hometown: Kimberley, B.C.
Yr. / Team GP /G /A /PTS/ PIM
94-95 T.B. 36/ 1/ 4/ 5/ 44
95-96 T.B. 66 /9 /9 /18 / 81
96-97 T.B. 63 /9 /5 /14 / 134
97-98 T.B.-Cgy 79 /12/ 10/ 22 / 160
98-99 Cgy /78 /8 /13/ 21/ 177
99-00 Cgy /64 /11 /11 /22 / 120
00-01 Cgy 65/ 10/ 5 /15/ 177
01-02 Fla 70/ 11/ 20/ 31/ 1178
Totals 521/ 71/ 77/ 148/ 1071
