SteelHounds Bring Back 107-Point Man and Team MVP for the 2006-07 Season

Published on June 27, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


Youngstown, Ohio - The Youngstown SteelHounds and Head Coach Jean Laforest announced today the re-signing of Captain Jeff Christian. Christian joins Chris Richards as the first two players under contract for the Hounds' 2006-07 Central Hockey League (CHL) season.

In his first season in the CHL (2005-06), Christian led the team with 107 points (55 goals, 52 assists). He finished atop numerous CHL categories, leading the league with 55 goals, 20 power play goals and 10 game winning goals. He also led the league in shooting percentage with .193 percent. His 107 points were second to the CHL's Most Valuable Player Derek Hahn (114 points). The veteran finished with 32 multiple point games and 15 multiple goal games this season.

"We had a great start last season, and we're looking to build on that success this year," Christian said. "Becoming a playoff team is definitely what we're reaching for."

The accolades didn't end there for the Burlington, Ontario native, as he was named a Northern Conference starter at the 2006 CHL All-Star game and made his appearance memorable scoring the game winning goal in a shootout. Christian was also a member of the 2005-06 All-CHL team and the runner-up for the league's Most Valuable Player award. In addition, he was named the CHL Oakley Player of the Week three times.

"I really enjoyed playing in Youngstown," Christian said. "This town has embraced the team and it has embraced my family. We bought a house here and are happy to call Youngstown home. We plan on making this the last stop of my career."

Christian has played in 18 career National Hockey League games seeing action with Pittsburgh, New Jersey and Phoenix. He was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the second round (23rd overall) of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. In his 18 career NHL games, Christian totaled four points (two goals, two assists) and 17 penalty minutes.

Prior to joining the SteelHounds, Christian played 679 career minor league games splitting time between the American Hockey League (AHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL) where he scored 258 goals and added 319 assists to go along with 1,840 penalty minutes. His most productive season came with the Turner Cup Champion Houston Aeros (IHL) during the 1998-99 campaign where he led the team with 46 goals, second with 86 points and first with 252 penalty minutes. His 46 goals were third and his 86 points were seventh in the IHL that season. Following the 1998-99 season, Christian was awarded the IHL's John Cullen Award given to the player deemed to have been a key contributor to his team, while overcoming injury, illness, or other personal setbacks.

As a member of the Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL), Christian played 268 games between 1994 and 2000. He finished among the all-time leaders in team history in scoring with 105 goals and 131 assists and third all-time in penalty minutes with 721 penalty minutes. During the 1996-97 season he led the Lumberjacks with 40 goals, 80 points and 262 penalty minutes.

Christian and the SteelHounds open the 2006-07 season in October at the Chevrolet Centre. For more information, call 330-747-PUCK (7825).

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from June 27, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central