Goaltender Jeff Lerg, who holds almost every goaltending record in Toledo Walleye franchise history, has decided to return to the organization.
The team announced Saturday that Lerg, who had been playing this season for a team based in Denmark, has re-signed.
Lerg, a 30-year-old from Livonia, Mich., had played in two seasons for Toledo. He helped transform the Walleye into championship-caliber organization in 2014-15 and 2015-16.
“I thought maybe I had some unfinished business here,” Lerg said. “My heart is in Toledo to begin with. I’ve seen the terrific offense and I know the character of this team is second to none. It’s a refuse to lose attitude. I’ve kept in contact with a lot of the guys. I knew this is a terrific organization to play for. I’m very proud to put on the sweater.”
But in July, Lerg signed to play for a team team based in Rungsted, a suburb of Copenhagen. At the time of the decision, Lerg said he wanted to play at the highest pro level and he had done as much as he could in the ECHL. Lerg had played in 23 games for Rungsted this season. He was 13-7-3 and had a 2.59 goals-against average.
Lerg said he had a bit of a falling out with the coach, who had demanded Lerg change his goaltending style. Lerg then had to sit out 12 of 14 games with a winning record.
“I was happy with the way I was playing when they sat me,” he said. “I had four starts before they brought in a guy they wanted. I battled through a lot. When that door closed this was the best possibility.”
Lerg led Toledo to a Brabham Cup title for the best record in the ECHL during the 2014-15 regular season. He also led the Walleyeto back-to-back Eastern Conference championships.
The small but athletic netminder with unique rituals became a fan favorite. The runner-up for ECHL goaltender of the year last season posted a 28-11-3 record. He also set new single-season Walleye records with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
Lerg joins a Toledo team that leads the ECHL with 62 points. The Walleye (30-8-2) are in first place in the Central Division.
Lerg will re-join Jake Paterson in Toledo's goaltending tandem. The pair split time in net last year.
“Without a doubt this is Jake’s team,” Lerg said. “He’s been through the grind here. He's kept this team in first place. It's his team. I’m just here to give him a rest and I hope to take advantage of my time.”
Walleye coach Dan Watson said a lot of things had to happen for Lerg to come back.
“To have a guy like Lerg to help out is a no brainer,” Watson said.
But he said if goalie Cal Heeter, who started the season in Toledo before being called up to Grand Rapids of the AHL, would be added to the roster, Lerg likely would be released.
“We don’t have room to carry three goalies, and Jeff knows this,” Watson said. “But who knows how it will work out. I have to respect our relationship with our affiliation.”
Watson said it will be a bit of a role reversal with Paterson remaining the No. 1 goalie and Lerg serving as the backup.
“Jake’s still our guy,” Watson said. “He’s primarily gotten us this far. It’s still his team.”
Lerg owns Walleye records for appearances (86), wins (60), saves (2,298), shutouts (7), goals-against average (2.25), save percentage (.923), and minutes played (5,089).
“This is a tight knit group,” Lerg said. “Whatever part I can play in this quest for a championship is what I’ll do.”
Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354 or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.
First Published January 29, 2017, 5:25 a.m.
