ESTERO, FL -- The Florida Everblades announced today that former Rensselaer forward Kirk MacDonald has joined the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League.  

MacDonald is expected to join the River Rats in time for the opening game of their first-round playoff match-up with the Philadelphia Phantoms tonight in Albany, NY.   

MacDonald split the 2007-08 campaign between Albany and Florida, beginning the season with the River Rats where he tallied two points (1g, 1a) in 11 games before finishing off the regular season with the Everblades by registering 35 points (14g, 21a) in 43 games. The 24-year-old native of Victoria, BC also notched two goals in three Kelly Cup Playoff games. MacDonald began his professional career in 2006-07 by playing in 12 games with Albany, scoring one goal and adding two assists.