Blues add Chorney for defensive depth

Team also adds hometown netminder McKenna,
veteran defenseman Ford; all sign one-year, two-way contracts

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues didn't dive head-first into the frenzy known as the first day of free agency, instead opting for defensive depth on Day 1.

The team brought back Taylor Chorney, signing the right-handed d-man to a one-year, two-way contract in a move designated to add depth on the blue line. Also signed to one-year, two-way contracts were native St. Louisan goalie Mike McKenna and veteran defenseman Scott Ford.

Chorney, who was claimed on waivers last season from Edmonton before losing him back to the Oilers, who reclaimed Chorney on waivers after the Blues put him back on the waiver wire.

Chorney, 25, played in two games with the Blues last season and did not register a point. In 61 career games (59 of them with Edmonton), Chorney has a goal and six assists. He was a second round pick by the Oilers in 2005.

McKenna, 28, appeared in 41 games for the Binghamton Senators of the AHL last season, posting a 14-22-1 record, a 2.98 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.

McKenna, who got married on Saturday, has dressed in 17 career NHL games between Tampa Bay and New Jersey. He's 4-9-1 with a 3.49 GAA and .887 save percentage. He was originally drafted by Nashville in the sixth round in 2002.

The 32-year-old Ford played 75 games for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals last season, posting 11 points (four goals and seven assists). The 6-foot-3, 216-pound defenseman has appeared in 380 career AHL games between Cleveland, Bridgeport, Providence and Milwaukee, recording 41 points.