Heat add a pair: Taormina from NHL, Austin on PTO

In advance of their weekend games, the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat (the Calgary Flames’ farm team) has added a pair of players to their roster.

Blueliner Matt Taormina cleared waivers earlier today. According to the AHL’s transactions page, he’s been reassigned to Stockton while the club has also added defender Brady Austin on a PTO. Taormina was previously on the Flames’ season-opening injured reserve.

Taormina, 31, was acquired from Montreal in the Brett Kulak trade and was likely always targeted for the Heat. He’s played 502 regular season AHL games and has cracked the 50-point mark on three different occasions. He’s likely pegged as an offensive contributor.

Austin, 25, spent last season with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters on a minor league contract. He’s from Bobcaygeon, Ontario and appears to be a perfectly acceptable depth blueliner.

The Heat visit the Ontario Reign on Friday night before hosting the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening.