Salmon Kings sign a former Cougar

October 5, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - Former Victoria Cougar defenseman Steve Lingren's career has made a full circle with his return to the Provincial capital to play with the Victoria Salmon Kings.

"We are very excited to add Steve to a backline that we believed to be one of the strongest in the division. Steve is an AHL defenseman, and along with Kurt Drummond and Chad Dameworth, we have three veteran blueliners with a tonne of experience," said Bryan Maxwell, Head Coach and General Manager of the Victoria Salmon Kings.

The Lake Cowichan native returns to Vancouver Island this winter for the first time in 12 seasons. Lingren played three seasons with the Western Hockey League Cougars in which he recorded 106 points (28 goals and 78 assists) in 200 games.

Lingren has played 646 professional games in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League, ECHL and Europe. The 32-year-old defenseman played the past two season's with the Rochester Americans (AHL) helping lead the Americans to a league title last year.

From 2001-03 Lingren played overseas with Ingolstadt ERC (Germany) scoring 25 points in 74 games. 6'0" - 185lbs Lingren, has also played with Kalamazoo Wings (IHL), Dayton Bombers (ECHL), Michigan K-Wings (IHL), Cornwall Aces (AHL), Hershey Bears (AHL), Kentucky Thoroughblades (AHL) and the Kansas City Blades (IHL).

Lingren has had a very successful professional career recording 85 goals and 163 assists for a career total of 248 points. His most productive offensive season as a pro came with the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) in the 1995-96 season where as a teammate of Salmon Kings forward Steve Roberts, Lingren finished the season with 43 points (15 goals and 28 assists) in 51 games.

Lingren is no stranger to championships. He played for the 1996-97 Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears, a season which he shared the John Travers-Steve Summers Memorial Award given to the Bear who finishes the season with the best plus/minus.

Lingren joins Joel Andresen, Nate Forster, Chad Dameworth, Kurt Drummond, Aaron MacInnis, Simon Mangos and Craig Zubersky signed to the Salmon Kings blueline complimented by Derek Allan, Derek Campbell, Pete Gardiner, Lanny Gare, Dustan Heintz, Scott Horvath, Seth Leonard, Steve Roberts, Jan Sochor, KC Timmons, Ryan Wade and Mike Wirll on the forward lines. The Salmon Kings have signed goaltenders BJ Boxma and Rob Muntain.

Victoria Salmon Kings training camp opens with a player orientation on Thursday October 6, 2005. The Salmon Kings season begins on the road against the Fresno Falcons on Friday October 21, 2005. The first Salmon Kings home game at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre is scheduled for Thursday November 10, 2005 versus the Stockton Thunder.



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