Condors Add Two More Blue-Liners
July 11, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors have agreed to terms with defensemen Scott Balan and Tamás Lencsés (pronounced Taw-mus, Len-sus) for the 2007-08 season, head coach Marty Raymond announced Wednesday. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not announced.
Balan, 25, notched 13 points (3g, 10a) and 110 penalty minutes in 56 games with the Condors last season, anchoring a stingy defensive corps with his physical play and veteran on-ice leadership. The 6- foot-3-inch, 205-pound native of Red Deer, Alberta suffered a season-ending knee injury March 7 in Utah, forcing him to miss the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. Balan, who's living in Bakersfield during the offseason, is expected to be fully recovered by training camp.
"Scott is a warrior-like defenseman who shows up for every game," Raymond said. "It was a big loss for us when he went down with the knee injury, but we're certainly happy to have him back this season."
Said Director of Hockey Operations Bob Bartlett, "It's great to have Scotty back with us. He's the heart and soul of our defensive line. It was tough to lose him for the playoffs last season, but we look forward to seeing him recovered and back on the ice come training camp."
Lencsés, who turns 28 Nov. 5, comes to North America after spending the last nine years playing in Hungary. The 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pounder was a member of the Division 1 Hungarian National Team in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He also played for Team Hungary in the 1999 World Junior Championships.
"Tamás came highly recommended from European scouts," Raymond said. "He's a solid d- man, who plays hard and has great potential. He's also has two close friends playing in the AHL, who recommended him as well."
While Lencsés will make his debut in Condorstown, the veteran Balan is set for his third campaign in Bakersfield and seventh in professional hockey.
In 2005-06 Balan ranked second among Condors defensemen with a career high 26 assists and 29 points. Entering 2007-08, he ranks seventh all-time among Condors blue-liners with 42 points and 36 assists.
With the additions of Balan and Lencsés, there are now eight players inked for 2007-08, seven of whom are returnees from last season (Balan, Sean Venedam, David Kudelka, Andrew Ianiero, Reagan Leslie, Brett Lutes and Jamie Hodson).
The Condors begin their 2007-08 10th Anniversary season Friday, Oct. 19. To view the full 2007-08 schedule, click here. For more information or to reserve season tickets, mini-plans and book group outings contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).
Notes from The Nest: The Condors now have an ECHL maximum four veterans on their squad (Balan, Venedam, Ianiero and Kudelka). Veterans are classified as having played 260+ professional games entering 2007-08. Note that goaltenders are exempt from this rule.
Former Condors All-Star defenseman Glen Mears, who still resides in Bakersfield, has started his own blog on the Condors website, "Mears' Minutes." Director of Communications and Community Services Jeremy Zager has also started a blog, "Zag's Bag." To check these out and other Condors blogs click here.
ECHL Stories from July 11, 2007
- Veteran Defenseman Becomes First Player on 07-08 Roster - Dayton Bombers
- Condors Add Two More Blue-Liners - Bakersfield Condors
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- Brandon Cullen Returns To The Checkers - Charlotte Checkers
- Bombers Game-Worn Jersey Sale - Dayton Bombers
- Another Smith, Defenseman To The Checkers - Charlotte Checkers
- Stingrays Re-sign Veterans MacLean, Reid - South Carolina Stingrays
- Chiefs, Rowe Agree To Terms - Johnstown Chiefs
- 'Blades add Herauf to list of signees - Florida Everblades
- O'Dette and Morlang return - Fresno Falcons
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