Defenseman Rick Lessard, who came back to Salt Lake City this summer to play roller hockey with hopes of rejoining the Golden Eagles' ice hockey team, has become the first player to sign as a free agent with the Eagles since they were independents in 1986-87.
Lessard, 25, spent three seasons with the Eagles as a member of the Calgary Flames' farm staff, and was an International Hockey League first-team all-star in his rookie season of 1988-89 when he scored 10 goals, 42 assists and had 239 penalty minutes in 76 games.Three seasons later, he was chosen by the San Jose Sharks in the NHL expansion draft. He spent the past season with Kansas City (one game) of the IHL and Hamilton and Providence of the American Hockey League.
Eagle general manager Mike Forbes says, "In signing Rick, we make strides toward making our club stable defensively. He brings size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and mobility to our blue line, and he's comfortable leading an offensive rush or handing out body checks." Forbes adds Lessard's experience will help young players while he's still young enough to have a long pro future himself.
The Eagles, going into their 25th anniversary season, are entering their first season of a working agreement with the New York Islanders, who will supply about 16 players. The Eagles are free to sign perhaps six or seven free agents, and Lessard is the first. Several more are expected next week.
Lessard's deal is for two years. The agreement with the Islanders is for two years plus an option year.