GRANT CALLED UP

Former Saint John Sea Dogs captain Alex Grant got word late last night that he had been called up to the American Hockey League. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect joins the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after starting the season in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers.

In 12 games this season with Wheeling this season, he has four goals and two assists which is good for second best among defensmen on the ECHL squad.

The Antigonish native was drafted in the fourth round, 118th overall, in the 2007 NHL entry draft. The Sea Dogs selected Grant with the first overall pick in the 2005 QMJHL entry draft. He totaled 124 points, 40G and 84A, in 222 games with Saint John, and 19 points, 4G and 15A, in 23 games with Shawinigan.

Grant joins the Portland Pirates' Felix Schutz and the Hamilton Bulldogs' Robert Mayer as Saint John alumni in the AHL. Grant could see game action on Thursday when the Penguins play the Wolfpack in Hartford.

Also called up on Sunday was former Cape Breton Screaming Eagle Joey Haddad. Haddad, 20, is currently tied for second on the Nailers with 11 points, 5G and 6A, and his five goals are second on the squad. The native of Sydney, NS finished third in points over his last two junior seasons with the Eagles. He was signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent on September 18, 2008.

-With files from HERE.