Sundogs Return Luke Erickson for 2011-12 Season

May 10, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - Arizona Sundogs Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro announced today the team has re-signed forward and leading goal scorer Luke Erickson for the 2011-12 Central Hockey League season.

Erickson, 28, skated in six games with the defending Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Champion Rapid City Rush this season before being acquired by Arizona in a trade on November 10.

Appearing in 53 games with the Sundogs, the Roseau, Minnesota native led the team and finished fifth in the CHL with a career-high 37 goals. His 63 points, also a career-best, were second-most on the team.

"We made a move to acquire Luke early last season and his impact on our team was immediate," said Pietroniro. "He's a proven goal scorer and an integral piece of our offensive system. He competes hard every game and is well-liked by his teammates and we're excited he will continue to call Prescott Valley home."

Erickson's 14 power-play goals were fourth-most in the CHL while his six game-winning tallies led the Sundogs. He registered 23 points (14g/9a) during a 13-game point streak midway through the year and recorded 20 multiple-point games over the course of the regular season.

Erickson earned Oakley Three Stars and Player of the Week honors in January, closing out the month with 17 points (11g/6a) in 11 games.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward skated in 48 contests with the Rush during its 2009-10 championship season, tallying 15 goals, 22 assists, 13 penalty minutes (PIM) and a plus-9 rating before being placed on season-ending I.R. prior to the playoffs. He finished third on the team with five game-winning goals despite missing the final 10 games of the regular season.

Erickson began his pro career in the ECHL, splitting time with the Gwinnett Gladiators, Pensacola Ice Pilots and Alaska Aces

Prior to turning pro, Erickson played for four seasons at Bemidji State University (NCAA) in Minnesota where he averaged nearly a point per game registering 52 goals and 69 assists in 125 career contests.

Erickson remains the Division 1 program's all-time leading scorer (121) and fastest to 100 points (2005-06 season), co-owns the record for most assists all-time and was a member of the school's first NCAA tournament team.

Erickson joins Tyler Butler as players under contract with Arizona for the 2011-12 season.

The Sundogs, hosts of the 2012 Central Hockey League All-Star Game, are set to open their sixth season of play beginning this October at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Season ticket packages start at less than $10 per game. For more information call (928) 759-6600 or visit www.arizonasundogs.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from May 10, 2011


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