Gladiators Go on the Offensive: Sign Hutchings, Lefebvre
Published on September 18, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
DULUTH, Ga. - The Gwinnett Gladiators added more firepower to the lineup up front and on the blue line Wednesday, as the team announced the signing of forward Alex Hutchings and defenseman Martin Lefebvre (pronounced Marr-TAN Luh-FAY-B).
Hutchings, 22, split the past three seasons between the Norfolk Admirals and Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. He racked up 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 40 games with the Everblades last season, while compiling three goals and three assists in 24 games with Syracuse.
A fourth round draft pick (93rd overall) of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Burlington, Ontario native has 84 points (39 goals, 45 assists) in 114 career ECHL games, with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 37 career AHL games.
"Alex Hutchings is a player that we had our eye on all summer - and many other teams did as well," said Gladiators Team President Steve Chapman. "He is a player that we are confident can bring scoring and play-making ability to our team game and he plays solidly on both ends of the ice. We also know that he has the drive and determination to compete at the highest level, which is a good asset for any team."
Hutchings posted impressive numbers in his four years in junior hockey, averaging nearly a point-per-game with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (208 points in 229 games).
Lefebvre, 21, provided a spark from the point over the past five seasons with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Terrebonne, Quebec native had at least 40 points in each of his past three seasons with Quebec, finishing the 2012-13 campaign with seven goals and 33 assists in 56 games while serving as team captain. He was also teammates with former Gladiator goaltender Louis Domingue for three seasons there.
"Louis actually turned us on to Martin Lefebvre and we believe that he can help us solidify our defensive unit," said Chapman. "He's a solid, puck-handling defenseman who should learn a great deal from Rick's coaching. He has the potential to be a key addition to our blue line."
Gwinnett's roster now sits at ten for the upcoming season. Hutchings joins Joey Haddad, Evan Bloodoff, Dirk Southern, Jeremie Malouin, Kurtis Bartliff, and C.J. Lee at forward, while Lefebvre joined Devon Krogh and Jonathan Narbonne on the blue line.
The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the Premier "AA" Hockey League and are affiliated with the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.
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