Tifu, Lehman Highlight Newest Roster Additions

Published on September 30, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Chicago Express News Release


Hoffman Estates, IL - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that F Yannick Tifu and D Scott Lehman have been added to the Training Camp roster. Tifu has agreed to terms with the Express, while Lehman joins on a Professional Tryout contract.

Tifu, 26, spent last season with both the Elmira Jackals (ECHL) and the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL). The 5-11, 185 pound center played 64 games with the Jackals, picking up 73 points on 28 goals and 45 assists to go along with 109 penalty minutes, which included nine fighting majors. In his ten games with Binghamton, Tifu notched an assist and two PIM.

The Brossard, Quebec, native has played six professional seasons in the UHL, ECHL, and AHL. His professional career includes 124 goals and 288 assists for 412 points and 534 PIM in 416 games. His most prolific scoring has occurred in ECHL play, where he has 308 points (92g, 216a) in 259 games.

Tifu played four seasons in the QMJHL before turning pro, all with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. In 2003-04, Tifu led his team in goals, assists, and points, and in 2004-05 he led his team in assists while finishing third in points.

Lehman, 25, has joined the Express on a Professional Tryout agreement. He is a familiar face in

the Chicago area, as he has played 104 games with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Lehman played two games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) last season, picking up six PIM. The 6-1, 194 pound defenseman also skated in 49 games with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), where he scored seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points to go along with 104 PIM.

Lehman has played in 234 professional contests, including one game with the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers. He has 47 points and 439 PIM in his career. The Ft. McMurray, Alberta, native also played 244 games in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he had 121 points (15g, 106a) and 603 PIM. He led the Toronto St. Michael's Majors in PIM three times in his four-year major-junior career.

"Yannick is a great passer," said Head Coach Steve Martinson. "He can score and sees the ice well. He is one of the premier passers in the league. Lehman is a hard-hitting defenseman who can really skate, and who could play wing if needed. He had great numbers in juniors, and I'm looking for him to be more offensive on this team."

The training camp roster is below:

Defensemen: Forwards:

Josh Burrows Mike Embach

Matt Campanale Pierre-Luc Faubert

Darcy Campbell Scott Freeman

Scott Lehman Tyler Johson

Nathan Lutz Bobby Robins

Trent Palm Tim Spencer

Drew Paris Yannick Tifu

Scott Wietecha

Travis Vermeulen

The Chicago Express will open up the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 22nd versus the Kalamazoo Wings with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at the Sears Centre Arena. This inaugural game is sure to be a must have ticket, so make sure you have your ticket for this once in a lifetime game!

Opening Night for the inaugural season is just 22 days away! Season tickets, mini plans, and group tickets for the upcoming 2011-2012 season are on sale now. For more information about tickets, give the Chicago Express office a call at 224-220-1333 or visit www.chicagoexpresshockey.com.

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