PHOENIX, March 8 (UPI) -- Ten points out of the final Western Conference playoff berth, the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday traded left wing Darcy Hordichuk and a 2003 second-round draft pick to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Brad Ference.
Drafted 10th overall by Vancouver in 1997, the 23-year-old Ference collected two goals and six assists in 60 games with Florida this season. He is best known for drawing the ire of superstar Mario Lemieux in a Feb. 6 game against Pittsburgh, resulting in the Hall of Fame center's first fight in nearly 15 years.
In 167 NHL games, Ference has four goals and 24 assists with 432 penalty minutes.
"With the strong development of some of our young defensemen this season, our depth at that position has allowed us to acquire a very physical forward and a valuable second-round draft pick," Panthers General Manager Rick Dudley said.
"Hordichuk is a banger with a pugilistic side. He is a very, very physical forward and we envision him as a productive fourth-liner with the ability to also play in a physical third-line role.
"It is a deep draft this year with tremendous NHL prospects and the second-round pick is a huge asset to the organization."
Hordichuk played 25 games for Phoenix this season, collecting 82 penalty minutes without a point. In 70 NHL games, the physical 22-year-old has a goal and an assist with 261 penalty minutes.
The Coyotes also assigned left wing Ramzi Abid to Springfield of the American Hockey League.
A 2000 third-round draft pick, Abid collected 10 goals and eight assists in 30 games this season. The 22-year-old netted 15 goals and 10 assists with the Falcons before being recalled by the Coyotes in mid-December.
