Bucks Re-Sign Defenseman Lehr
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Friday that they have re-signed defenseman
Ryan Lehr for the 2010-11 season. Lehr played in 10 regular season games for the Bucks last season but is still considered a rookie having played in less than 25 professional games.
The 24-year-old Lehr (pronounced LEER) joined the Bucks on March 4th and picked up six points (2-4=6) in 10 games to go along with a plus-four rating and 17 PIM’s. In the 2010 playoffs Lehr had two points (0-2=2) with a plus-two rating in the Bucks seven-game series loss to Allen.
“We liked what we saw from Ryan last season,” said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “He’s big, he’s tough, and he fits the style of play that we’re looking for in our defensive unit.”
Lehr, from Summerside, PEI, scored a goal in his first professional game on March 4th against Allen and had a career-high three assists on March 13th against Arizona.
“Lehr made an immediate impact for us late last season,” said Ruskowski. “He was one of my priorities to bring back for this season.”
Prior to turning pro Lehr spent the last three seasons playing college hockey for St. Thomas University (CIS). Lehr played in 84 games for St. Thomas putting up 32 points (11-22=32) and 114 PIM’s.
Last season with St. Thomas, prior to turning pro with the Bucks, Lehr played in 28 games and picked up 14 points (2-12=14) with 44 PIM’s.
In 2008-09 Lehr notched a career high in goals with eight to go along with four assists totaling 12 points. Lehr was the second-leading defenseman in the CIS.
In 2007-08 Lehr picked up a career-high 58 PIM’s to go along with six points (1-5=6).
Prior to his college career Lehr played four seasons of junior hockey splitting time in the QMJHL and MJAHL. Lehr was an MJAHL All-Star in the 2006-07 season.
In his four-year junior career Lehr played in 232 games picking up 94 points (27-67=94) and piling up 518 PIM’s.
Lehr is the third Buck signed this offseason including the second to return from 2009-10.