Ice Pilots Acquire Jonathan Lehun and Nick Vekovic from Florida

January 8, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


Pensacola, FL - The Pensacola Ice Pilots announced that defenseman and team Captain Corey Neilson has been traded to the Florida Everblades for forward Jonathan Lehun and defenseman Nick Vukovic.

Lehun, who stands 6'0" and weighs 182 pounds, has played in 31 games for the Everblades this season scoring 11 goals, 19 assists for 30 points picking up 8 penalty minutes.

Lehun played in 116 games for Owen Sound of the OHL during the 2003-2005 seasons scoring 30 goals, 57 assists for 87 points picking up 44 penalty minutes. He played in 35 games for St. Cloud State University during the 2002-2003 scoring 8 goals, 8 assists for 16 points picking up 18 penalty minutes.

Lehun was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round and was the 189th player taken in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He is 21 years old from Toronto, Ontario and shoots left.

Vukovic, who stands 6'1" and weighs 190 pounds, has played in 32 games for the Florida Everblades this season scoring 5 goals, 7 assists for 12 points picking up 47 penalty minutes.

Vukovic played at Wilfred Laurier University from 2001-2005 playing in a total of 98 games scoring 14 goals, 34 assists for 48 points picking up 106 penalty minutes. He also played for Owen Sound and North Bay in the OHL. Vukovic is 25 years old from Kitchener, Ontario and shoots left.

"We would like to thank Corey Neilson for everything that he has done for the organization in the last three years. He is a solid person and a dedicated family man and we wish him the best in the future," said Ice Pilots President/General Manager Mario Forgione.

"We are acquiring two solid players in Lehun and Vuckovic as both are character players on and off the ice," said Forgione. "Lehun can score goals and Vukovic is a big defenseman that can also play on the power play. Both will help our team tremendously as we make our run for the playoffs."

The Ice Pilots will continue their eight game road trip Tuesday morning at South Carolina at 9:30 a.m. central time. Fans will be able to listen to the game on the Ice Pilots Hockey Network beginning with the pre game show at 9:20 a.m. with flagship station AM 1620 and at www.icepilots.com sponsored by Sports Avenue. The game is also available as a pay per view webcast at www.icepilots.com in conjunction with B2 Networks for $6.

The Ice Pilots next home game is Saturday, January 21 vs. Gwinnett at 7:05 p.m. Fans can purchase individual home game tickets in person at the Civic Center box office, at any Ticketmaster location, charge by phone at 434-7444 or through the Ice Pilots website at www.icepilots.com. For group tickets, season tickets, birthday parties and corporate partnerships, fans can call the Ice Pilots at 432-PUCK.



ECHL Stories from January 8, 2006


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