ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Defense Imported

Published on July 3, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Bakersfield, CA -- The Bakersfield Condors of the West Coast Hockey League have added two blueliners to their 2002-03 roster. Christoffer Norgren and Jonas Lennartsson were both signed after playing last season in their native Sweden.

Norgren, 28, has played his entire career in Sweden. He spent the last seven seasons either in the First Division or Elite League. Norgren has played with Linkopings HC in each of the last three seasons, where he built a reputation as a solid defensive defenseman. He has played 279 career games, 49 of them last season when he amassed four assists and 65 penalty minutes.

Lennartsson, 20, competed with Mora IK in Sweden last season. Lennartsson and Norgren were teammates with Mora IK during the 1999-00 season. A highly regarded young prospect in his homeland, Lennartsson twice represented Team Sweden in the World Junior Championships, in both 1999 and 2001. Last season he scored five goals and eight points, along with 34 penalty minutes in 45 games with Mora IK.

League rules state that a non-North American player who is 23 years of age or younger is to be regarded as a rookie, despite professional experience. Lennartsson joins center Jason Jackman as two of the three required rookies on the Condors roster for 2002-03.

"Anyone like Norgren who can be a strong defensive defenseman on the big ice surface over there, should do very well on our smaller ice here," said Condors Associate Coach Marty Raymond. "He has great experience overseas, as does Lennartsson, and they're both big and mobile. We wanted to improve our size on defense, and we're happy to get both of these players."

Condors season tickets for the 2002-03 season are now available, with packages starting as low as $42. For information regarding season ticket packages and corporate sponsorships, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825), or visit the Condors office at Centennial Garden.

Condor Droppings. . . Career stats for Norgren and Lennartsson to follow. Today's signings brings the Condors 2002-03 roster to six. Also inked thus far are centers Jason Jackman and Paul Willett, and wingers Jason Ralph and Paul Rosebush. At this time last season, only three players had been signed... The July website auction is the "Dinner with Coach" package. The winner receives dinner for two with Head Coach Paul Kelly at Wood'ys Grill Bar & Deck. Log on to www.bakersfieldcondors.com to bid. All proceeds go to benefit the American Red Cross - Kern County Chapter.

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from July 3, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central