(TORONTO) -- The Toronto Marlies, proud member of the American Hockey League, announced today that they have loaned defenceman Justin Sawyer and left wing Owen Fussey to their East Coast Hockey League affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina. In conjunction with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies also announced that left wing Alex Foster has been reassigned to Columbia.

Sawyer, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, played two games for the Marlies this season and recorded four penalty minutes. After concluding his OHL career last March, Sawyer joined the Marlies on an amateur tryout contract and appeared in 12 games with the club. He signed an AHL contract with the team last month.

Fussey signed an AHL contract with the Marlies in September and had two points (one goal, one assist) in three games with the team this season. The Winnipeg native had 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 50 games with the defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears last season.

Foster was signed by the Maple Leafs on March 8, 2006. A native of Canton, Michigan, he led Bowling Green State University in scoring with 51 points (11 goals, 40 assists) in 38 games last season. Foster was one of only five NCAA players to record at least 50 points last year and had at least one point in 30 of the 38 games in which he appeared. He recorded one assist in playing one game with the Marlies this season.

The Marlies return to action on Friday evening in Hamilton at 7:30 p.m. The team will host the Rochester Americans – AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers – on Saturday at 4 p.m. For ticket information, call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK or at torontomarlies.com