Lance Leslie to play for Laredo
September 24, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
(9/24/02) Star goaltender Lance Leslie has joined the Laredo Bucks for the inaugural 2001-2002 season. With a history of regular-season and playoff success, Leslie brings an impressive set of career honors to Laredo.
"This is definitely an exciting opportunity," says Leslie. "It's a brand-new team, and it seems to be a real solid organization."
Leslie played the last two seasons in the Central Hockey League with the Lubbock Cotton Kings. In 2000-2001, Leslie compiled a record of 23-10-5 with a 2.96 goals-against average and one shutout. He saved his best work for the playoffs, posting a record of 9-4 and a 1.91 goals-against average. He also led the CHL in playoff save percentage, stopping 94% of the shots he faced. In 2001-2002, Leslie lowered his goals-against average to 2.81 and posted a record of 16-13-5.
Bucks coach/general manager Terry Ruskowski says, "Goaltending is essential for us to be successful. Lance was a high priority for us in the expansion draft. He's a veteran, he's a proven winner, and he can be a stabilizing force in goal, especially for our younger players."
Lance Leslie is a 28-year old native of Dawson Creek, British Columbia in Canada. He is entering his ninth year of professional hockey. As a member of the Wichita Thunder, he was the winning goaltender in the CHL All-Star Game in 1999. The following season, he was named Wichita's team MVP and earned CHL Goalie of the Week honors four times. Prior to entering the CHL, Leslie played for Louisville (ECHL), Kentucky (AHL), Toledo (ECHL), Prince Edward Island (AHL) and Thunder Bay (Colonial League). As a rookie with Thunder Bay in 1994-95, Leslie was named Playoff MVP and Rookie of the Year.
Bucks season tickets are on sale now. The Bucks ticket office can be reached at 718-BUCKS. In Nuevo Laredo, call 712-5276. A schedule of games can be found at www.laredobucks.com.
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