Sundogs Add Three More Returnees for 2008-09 Season

Published on July 31, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The 2008 Central Hockey League Ray Miron President's Cup Champion Arizona Sundogs today announced that they have re-signed forwards Tyler Liebel and Rob Lehtinen and defenseman Matt Suderman for the upcoming 2008-09 season.

"A large part of our 2008-09 roster will include a foundation of returning players from last season," said Sundogs Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro. We had success last year and we're going to call upon our returning players to continue that trend next season."

Tyler Liebel was acquired by the Sundogs from the Wichita Thunder in a mid-season trade last year. In 25 games with the Thunder prior to joining the Sundogs, the Osoyoos, British Columbia, native collected 11 points (5g/6a) and 79 penalty minutes (PIM). The 5-foot-10, 185-pound winger stepped up his offensive production after arriving in Arizona, registering 29 points (11g/18a) in 35 games. During the 2008 playoffs, Liebel tallied seven points (3g/4a) and 32 PIM to help the Sundogs to their first-ever Ray Miron President's Cup title.

"We acquired Tyler midway through the season last year and he immediately had an impact with our Club," added Pietroniro. "He became an important role player for our team and quickly developed into one of our top penalty killers. He's a good fit both on and off the ice and we're looking for him to distinguish himself as a leader next season."

Rob Lehtinen, 25, returns to the Sundogs after his first full season as a professional in 2007-08. In 63 regular season contests, the Marquette, Michigan, native notched 22 points (7g/15a) and 36 PIM while splitting time between offense and defense. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Lehtinen continued to see time on both sides of the puck during the postseason, tallying three goals and eight penalty minutes in 17 contests.

"Rob is a consistent player that has the ability to play on both sides of the ice," said Pietroniro. "We called upon him late in the season to make the switch from forward to defenseman and he did so with ease. To have players with that ability makes your team that much more deep."

Matt Suderman returns for the 2008-09 campaign after becoming just one of three Sundogs players to appear in all 64 regular season contests during the 2007-08 season. The former seventh round (199th overall) draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers notched seven assists and 117 penalty minutes during the regular season and added one goal and 54 PIM in 17 postseason games.

"Matt was one of our most defensive-minded players last season," said Pietroniro of the former NHL draft pick. "He saw a significant amount of time on our top penalty kill unit and always maintained a physical presence on the ice, battling with other teams' top lines. We're glad to have him back."

With the addition of Liebel, Lehtinen and Suderman, the Sundogs now have seven players under contract for the 2008-09 season including Chris Bartolone, Karl Sellan, Jason Visser and Kyle Hood.

The Sundogs have announced their complete 2008-09 schedule and look to open the season at home at Tim's Toyota Center on Friday, Oct. 17 against Southwest Division foe the Odessa Jackalopes. Affordable group and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Arizona Sundogs offices at (928) 772-5555.

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