Thrashers Acquire Defenseman Mark Popovic from Anaheim for..

ATLANTA (August 25, 2005) -- The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired
defenseman Mark Popovic from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for
forward Kip Brennan, according to Executive Vice President and General
Manager Don Waddell.

Popovic (poh-PUH-vihk) notched 18 points (one goal, 17 assists) in 74
games with Cincinnati (AHL) last season. The 6-1, 215-pound defenseman
shared third among Cincinnati blue liners in points and was third in
assists. Popovic also shared first among team defensemen with three
assists and was tied for second with five points in 11 playoff games.

The native of Stoney Creek, Ontario made his NHL debut with Anaheim at
Buffalo on Jan. 2, 2004. Popovic set AHL career highs with 21 assists
and 24 points in 2002-03. He has earned 56 points (eight goals, 48
assists) and 156 penalty minutes in 221 AHL career games with Cincinnati
over the past three seasons.

Popovic, selected by Anaheim in the second round, 35th overall, in the
2001 NHL Entry Draft, collected 155 points (36 goals, 119 assists) and
210 penalty minutes in 247 OHL games with Toronto St. Michael's over
four seasons from 1998-2002. Popovic tallied a career-best 12 goals and
was named an OHL First-Team All-Star in 2001-02, and set junior career
highs with 35 assists and 42 points in 2000-01.