(PR) Trenton, NJ – The ECHL’s Trenton Devils today announced the signings of four players: goaltender Jeff Lerg and forwards Ryan Hayes, Nick Kemp and Matt Vokes. The announcement was made by Albany/Trenton Devils General Manager Chris Lamoriello. As per club policy, no further terms were disclosed.
Lerg, 24, appeared in two games for Trenton last season, winning his professional debut, 4-3, vs. Johnstown March 24. A Michigan State Spartan (CCHA) from 2005 through 2009, the
Livonia, MI native was named team captain his senior year and USA Hockey College Player of the Year as a sophomore, leading MSU to the 2007 NCAA Championship. The 5-6, 155-lb. goaltender holds Spartan all-time records for career games (146) and career saves (3,996). Lerg occupies top-10 positions in several Michigan State goaltending categories including save percentage (.921), goals-against-average (2.38), career shutouts (12), and wins (76). His 1.62 career GAA in the NCAA Tournament (eight games) is sixth best in NCAA history. Before his collegiate career, Lerg played two seasons for the USHL’s Omaha/River City Lancers, winning USA Hockey’s Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year and USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year in 2005. In 2002, he won a gold medal with the U.S. U-17 Select Team in the Czech Republic. He was born April 9, 1986.
Hayes, 21, joins the ECHL Devils after spending three seasons with the Plymouth Whalers (OHL). The 5-9, 180-lb. forward had his most productive OHL season in 2008-09 with 26 goals and 19 assists for 45 points with 52 penalty minutes in 55 games. In 2009-10, Hayes won the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year. Before joining Plymouth, Hayes played six games for Boston College (HE), registering three points in 2007. Before college, Hayes represented Team USA for two seasons, winning a gold medal at the 2006 IIHF World U-18 Championship and a silver medal in 2007. Born June, 4, 1989 in Syracuse, NY, the right-handed shooter played for the Syracuse Stars (EJHL) in 2004-2005, totaling 45 points (27g, 18a) in 34 games.
Kemp, 24, joins the ECHL Devils after spending one season with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) and four with the University of Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA). The 6-1, 210-lb. forward skated in 62 regular season games for Bakersfield as a rookie, posting nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points with 30 penalty minutes. In four seasons at Minnesota-Duluth, the Hermantown, MN native posted 23 goals and 28 assists for 51 points with 125 penalty minutes in 150 games. A right-handed shooter, Kemp led the Bulldogs in points per game as a junior (15 points in 36 games). Born January 5, 1986, Kemp had an all-star season of junior hockey for the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) in 2004-05, scoring 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points with 44 penalty minutes in 59 games.
Vokes, 25, enters his second professional season after leading the ECHL Devils with 33 assists in 52 games as a rookie. With 20 goals, his 53 points were second most on the team. Winner of multiple ECHL accolades in 2009-10, the 6-1, 190-lb. forward was named Rookie of the Month for February, posting 20 points (9g, 11a) in 11 games, including three game-winning goals. The Auburn, MA native played four seasons for Brown University (ECAC), leading the Bears in goals (11), assists (17) and points (28) during his senior year. Vokes skated for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders (USHL) for two seasons prior to attending Brown, appearing in 113 games and scoring 44 goals with 46 assists. A right-handed shooter, Vokes was born September 3, 1985.
The Trenton Devils regular season begins at Sun National Bank Center October 16 and 17 with home games against Reading at 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.
Season and individual-game tickets are now on sale and group reservations are being accepted. More information is available by visiting TrentonDevils.com or by calling 609-599-9500.
TRENTON DEVILS — The Trenton Devils are a member of the ECHL, North America’s Premier “AA” Hockey League. The Trenton Devils are owned and operated by the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.
Goaltender Gerald Coleman, who spent most of the last two seasons with the Trenton Devils, has signed with the St. Louis Blues and is ticketed for the Alaska Aces.
Inside The Trenton Devils with Mike Ashmore 