Music: {allcanada} Leafs send Aulie to Tampa Bay

Monday, February 27, 2012

{allcanada} Leafs send Aulie to Tampa Bay

The Keith Aulie era in Toronto has come to an end.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sent the defenceman to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Carter Ashton on Monday afternoon.

Ashton was drafted by Tampa Bay with the 29th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He was a member of the 2011 World Junior team that won the silver medal in Buffalo, New York.

The 20-year-old winger has 19 goals and 35 points in 56 games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League this season.

His father, Brent Ashton, played in 998 NHL games from 1979–1993.

Aulie was originally acquired along with current captain Dion Phaneuf in 2009-2010 when the Leafs sent Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamaal Mayers, and Ian White to the Calgary Flames.

The 22-year-old Aulie had two assists in 17 games with the Maple Leafs this season.

Aulie was sent down to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL last week.