League-Leading Rookie Returns to Reign
July 30, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign, back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, announced today the return of the ECHL's 2012-13 leading rookie scorer, Mario Lamoureux.
Lamoureux, 24, had an incredible 2012-13 season with the Reign playing in all but one regular season contests, recording 65 points (25g, 40a) and a plus-minus rating of +30. During the Reign's playoff run, the forward earned five points (3g, 2a).
"Ontario was a great spot to improve my game," Lamoureux said. "The coaches there gave me a great opportunity and things went really well. I'm here because I want to stick with the coaches and team that gave me the chance to improve and I want to keep improving and growing. Everyone wants to get to that next level and Ontario is a great stepping stone."
The Grand Forks, ND native didn't only turn heads in Ontario, but around the league as he ranked among the top in numerous statistical categories. Lamoureux finished second in the league - first among rookies - with a +30, second in rookie goals with 25 and second in assists with 40, his eight game-winning goals put him in a three-way tie for the most among rookies, and third in the league.
During the regular season Lamoureux had 15 multi-point games and recorded his first professional hat trick on November 14. On January 26, Lamoureux had a four point game against the Colorado Eagles when he registered four assists.
"I'm looking forward to getting back with the guys," Lamoureux said. "We had a really good team and even though we lost some guys and gained some guys, no matter what, we played well. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to help our team win and have even more success this year, and getting back to the best fans in the league."
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward completed a four-year collegiate career with the University of North Dakota in 2011-12 before he made his professional debut for two games with the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators. In 148 games with North Dakota, Lamoureux recorded 46 points (17g, 29a) and 228 penalty minutes. He captained the UND team his senior year and tallied the 10,000th goal in the program's history the same year.
Lamoureux spent four years playing at the junior level with the USHL's Tri-City Storm where in 236 games he was named the club's all-time leading scorer with 129 points (44g, 85a).
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