Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Matt Lashoff in trade with Tampa Bay Lightning

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the hockey club has acquired defenceman Matt Lashoff from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forwards Alex Berry and Stefano Giliati.

Lashoff, a 23-year-old native of East Greenbush, New York, played in 68 games for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League in 2009-10. He collected 24 points on eight goals and 16 assists, and ranked second on Norfolk in penalty minutes with 105. He also played five games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. In 63 career NHL games with Tampa Bay and Boston, the 6-2, 204 pound defenceman has tallied 16 points on one goal and 15 assists along with 53 minutes in penalties. In 2003-04, he was named to the OHL’s Second All-Rookie team while playing for Kitchener and in 2006-07 was selected to the AHL All-Rookie team while playing with Providence. Lashoff was Boston’s first choice, selected 22nd overall, in the 2005 Entry Draft.

Giliati split last season between the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and the ECHL’s Reading Royals. In 25 games with the Marlies, he collected three goals and six assists for nine points with 18 penalty minutes. The Leafs originally signed Giliati as a free agent April 3, 2008.

Berry played in 55 games for the Marlies this past season collecting seven points on three goals and four assists while registering 97 minutes in penalties. He was originally Toronto’s third choice, selected 153rd overall in the 2005 Entry Draft.