CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles add depth up front

Published on July 29, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


WINDSOR, CO- With all seven of the Colorado Eagles signings for the upcoming season having played for the defending champs a season ago, the Eagles went into the free agent pool to add some scoring depth with acquisition of former Topeka Tarantulas forward Tab Lardner.

"It's great to sign in Colorado, I am excited and I hope to help the Eagles win another championship." Lardner said about his agreement with the Eagles.

Lardner, who hails from Edmonton, Alberta, is entering his fifth Central Hockey League season with his third different team. The 5'11", 175-pound forward played last season with the Topeka Tarantulas finishing third on the team in scoring with a career high, 23 goals, while adding his second best career total in points with 44. It was the fourth consecutive season that Lardner did not miss a game. He has played in 252 consecutive games in his pro career, including 30 playoff games while advancing to the CHL finals in his first two seasons with the Austin Ice Bats. After a solid rookie season, Lardner showed his playoff potential when he scored six goals finishing third on the team in scoring during the post-season. He returned to the Ice Bats the following year posting his best numbers as a pro, setting career highs in assists (28) and points (49). That same year, he added five goals and seven points in his second consecutive trip to the league finals. Lardner played one more season in Austin before being dealt to the Topeka Tarantulas.

Last season the Colorado Eagles got very familiar with Lardner when the Tarantulas moved into the Northwest Division. The two teams played seven times with the Eagles going 6-0-1, but it was Lardner who netted the game winner in the Eagles overtime loss. In seven games against the Eagles, he finished second among Tarantulas with a goal and three assists including the shootout tally.

Prior to turning pro, Lardner played four years at Michigan Tech University where he tallied 55 points while scoring 21 goals in 141 games. In his solid four year career at MTU he teamed up with former Colorado Eagles forward, Brad Patterson, and current Eagles veteran, Riley Nelson.

"Getting a chance to play with Riley again will be great. He is a heck of a player, he's shifty and exciting" Lardner said of his former MTU teammate.

The signing of Tab Lardner gives the Eagles eight players under contract for the upcoming season. Already going to camp with Colorado are the four veterans Riley Nelson, Greg Pankewicz, Ryan Tobler, and Brad Williamson. They also have inked center Chris Hartsburg, forward Fraser Filipic, and defenseman Aaron Grosul.

The Eagles full schedule will be released early next week. For more information, visit www.coloradoeagles.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from July 29, 2005


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