Jackals Sign CHL Champion Defenseman
August 15, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have signed defenseman Phillippe Lauze to a contract for the upcoming campaign. He becomes the 12th player signed by the Jackals for the 2006-07 Season.
The Jackals continue to bolster their blue line, signing another talented defenseman Philippe Lauze (pronounced LAW-zay). The 22-year old from Repentigny, Quebec comes to Elmira after spending the last two seasons with the Laredo Bucks and teammates with Brent Cullaton and former Jackals goaltender Jeremy Symington. At 6'2" 225 lbs Lauze started the 2005-06 season with the Columbia Inferno of the ECHL, but quickly returned to Laredo in late October. In 59 games for the Bucks last season, Lauze tallied 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists) and had 89 PIMs. He appeared in all 16 games of Laredo's playoff run to capturing the 2005-2006 CHL Championship, recording 4 assists and 18 penalty minutes on the way. Lauze finished 5th in the CHL, 3rd best amongst CHL defensemen, with a +30 rating in 2005-06, his second year pro.
"We are very excited to add a big defenseman to our blue line," said General Manager Robbie S. Nichols. "Philippe is a good defensive defenseman with solid offensive skills. He also boasts a very impressive playoff resume, especially for a player going into his third year pro. It is invaluable to have yet another player on our roster who has won a championship."
Lauze's rookie season was also in Laredo, but did not end quite as sweetly as his second season in Texas. In the 2004-05 playoffs Laredo, the defending CHL champs at the time, were ousted by the Colorado Eagles four games to one in the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals. In his two-year professional career, Lauze has 53 points (13 goals, 40 assists) and 125 penalty minutes in 117 games played.
"We have been looking for another defensemen with Philippe's size," said Jackals Head Coach Kris Waltze. "Having size along the blue line can really help take pressure off the goaltender. Lauze is the type of player who can do a bit of everything on the ice and he knows what it takes to be in the playoffs and win a championship."
Lauze played four full seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for Rimouski Oceanic. Three of those years he helped his junior team into the playoffs and during the 2003-04 season he was teammates with Sidney Crosby, the #1 pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
After completing their 6th season in franchise history in the UHL, the Jackals are gearing up for Season 7. Season tickets for the 2006-2007 UHL season are on sale now at the First Arena Box Office. For more information call 607-734-PUCK (7825).
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 15, 2006
- Jackals Sign CHL Champion Defenseman - Elmira Jackals
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