Insana Recalled from Muskegon

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Friday received center Jeff Panzer on loan from the Syracuse Crunch in exchange for left wing Nathan Robinson. In addition, the Griffins recalled defenseman Jon Insana from the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League.

Panzer, 26, has totaled 70 goals and 164 points in four AHL seasons with Syracuse and the Worcester IceCats. Claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets off waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 7, 2004, he contributed 18 points (8-1018) in 51 games for the Crunch this season and posted a six-game point streak (3-47) from Jan. 8-21.

During his first three pro seasons with Worcester, Panzer was named teams 2002-03 MVP, earned a selection to the PlanetUSA Team for the 2002 AHL All-Star Classic, and set an IceCats record for most goals by a rookie (26) in 2001-02.

Panzer enjoyed a brilliant collegiate career at North Dakota, helping the Fighting Sioux to the 2000 NCAA championship and leading the nation in scoring during 2000-01 with 81 points (26-5581). A two-time Hobey Baker finalist and First Team All-American (2000, 2001), he was named the WCHA Player of the Year as a senior and left North Dakota as the schools third-leading scorer of all time (80-148228).

Insana, 24, has spent his entire season on assignment to Muskegon after signing with the Griffins on Oct. 12, 2004. The former Michigan State Spartan leads all Fury defensemen with 20 points (8-1220) in 63 appearances.

Panzer and Insana will be available to make their Grand Rapids debuts tonight when the Griffins host the Manitoba Moose at 7:30 p.m.

In 50 games with Grand Rapids this season, Robinson accumulated 24 points (8-1624). After signing with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent on Oct. 12, 2002, he has spent the majority of his three pro seasons with the Griffins, totaling 91 points (35-5691) in 172 games.