One More Shot

HAMILTON, Ont– Yanick Lehoux wants another shot at the National Hockey League. Lehoux, 26, a native of Montreal, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens for the 2008-09 season. He will likely start the season in Hamilton with the Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. “He’s only 26,” said Bulldogs’ general manager Julien BriseBois.  “He’s a player that’s always put good numbers on the board in the AHL.” BriseBois said last season Lehoux was called upon to play a more checking, defensive role in Russia after leaving the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage.

“If he can put those two pieces together, he’ll be a very effective player for us,” he said. “He’s going to be called upon to be responsible defensively and put up offensive numbers. “He feels he’s up to the challenge. He’s had a taste of the NHL and the next time he’s called up, he wants to make sure he stays. We’re going to do our best to help him.” In seven games with the Rampage last season, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound centre scored a goal and added three assists. But in the 2006-07 season, Lehoux set career highs in all three major offensive categories, with 73 points (31 goals) in 72 games to lead the Rampage in scoring. In 10 career regular-season NHL game with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2005-07, he recorded four points (two goals) and six penalty minutes. In 315 career regular-season AHL games with Manchester (2002-06) and San Antonio (2005-08), the Montreal native has accumulated 240 points (103 goals) and 128 penalty minutes. Lehoux was selected in the third round, 86th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Contact author at: andruw.bourgeois@prohockeynews.com