Jeff Lerg

Jeff Lerg (born April 9, 1986) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the North American minor league, most notably for the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, and in Europe.

Playing career Prior to his college hockey career, Lerg played for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. He led the league in shutouts, GAA, wins, minutes played and ranked second in save percentage. Lerg broke the USHL record for wins in a season with 36 in helping lead Omaha to a share of the regular-season title. Lerg joined the Michigan State Spartans in 2005 and was named CCHA Rookie of the Year for his outstanding performance as a freshman. He was a member of Michigan State's 2007 NCAA Championship team where he held a 1.25 GAA and .954 save percentage in the tournament. In 2008, he was selected as a finalist for the James E. Sullivan Award, given to the top amateur athlete in the United States each year.

He led the Michigan State Spartans as captain during the 2008–09 season, in which he broke the CCHA saves record and placed second on the NCAA all-time saves list on Senior night at the Munn.

On July 31, 2009, Lerg signed with the Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League. After two injury hampered seasons within the Lowell Devils, playing primarily for ECHL affiliate. the Trenton Titans, Lerg spent a season with HC Asiago of the Serie A. During the 2011–12 season, Lerg played in 24 games with HC Asiago and held a 2.64 GAA and a .921 save percentage.

On April 23, 2012, Lerg signed with Ours de Villard-de-Lans of the Ligue Magnus. After two successful seasons with Villard, Lerg returned to North America and signed a one-year contract with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL on July 16, 2014.

On November 20, 2014, Lerg was signed to a Professional Try Out by the Grand Rapids Griffins. Following the game on November 21, the Griffins released Lerg from his professional try out. On March 9, 2015, Lerg was signed to a second professional try out by the Griffins.

Lerg was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Month for the month of November. He went 7–0–1, with one shutout, a 2.65 GAA and a .922 save percentage in eight appearances during the month as the Walleye went 10–2–1 in November. Lerg allowed two goals or less in four of his eight appearances.

Lerg was named the CCM ECHL goaltender of the week for the week ending March 22. Lerg went 3–0–0 with one shutout, a 0.65 GAA and a .975 save percentage in three appearances last week, helping the Walleye extend their unbeaten streak to eight games (7–0–1). Lerg set a Walleye franchise record for the most wins in one season, with 31 wins, and most shutouts in one season, with four shutouts. His 31 wins is tied for first in the league, while he ranks second with a 2.32 GAA, and third with a .921 save percentage.

On December 28, 2015, Lerg was signed to a professional try-out by the Grand Rapids Griffins. Lerg played in 17 games with the Toledo Walleye, ranking eighth among ECHL goaltenders with a 2.01 GAA to go along with a 12–3–0 record, a 0.929 save percentage and one shutout.

On July 21, 2016, Lerg opted to return overseas, signing a one-year deal as a free agent with Danish club, Rungsted Seier Capital, of the Metal Ligaen. After 23 games and unable to guide Capital to the post-season, Lerg returned to rejoin the Toledo Walleye on January 28, 2017.

After another season in the Ligue Magnus with Rapaces de Gap, Lerg returned for one more stint with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL at the tail end of the 2018–19 season as an emergency goaltender. In the penultimate game of the regular season, Lerg made his lone and last appearance in a 6–3 defeat to the Brampton Beast on April 6, 2019, finishing as the Walleye's All-time leader with 92 appearances.

Personal life Lerg is the cousin of Bryan Lerg. They were teammates at Michigan State University from 2005–06 to 2007–08.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV% 2003–04 River City Lancers USHL 35 24 5 2 1963 72 4 2.20 .917 3 0 2 183 0 7 2.29 .929 2004–05 Omaha Lancers USHL 52 36 11 4 3105 112 6 2.16 .916 5 2 3 298 1 10 2.01 .931 2005–06 Michigan State University CCHA 31 17 6 6 1840 60 3 1.96 .928 — — — — — — — — 2006–07 Michigan State University CCHA 42 26 13 3 2465 99 3 2.41 .913 — — — — — — — — 2007–08 Michigan State University CCHA 41 24 12 5 2464 91 4 2.22 .926 — — — — — — — — 2008–09 Michigan State University CCHA 32 9 20 3 1921 94 2 2.94 .917 — — — — — — — — 2009–10 Trenton Devils ECHL 2 1 1 0 120 11 0 5.50 .810 — — — — — — — — 2010–11 Trenton Devils ECHL 27 12 12 1 1545 81 0 3.15 .903 — — — — — — — — 2011–12 HC Asiago ITL 24 13 11 0 1475 65 3 2.64 .921 3 0 3 139 0 12 5.16 .844 2012–13 Ours de Villard-de-Lans FRA 25 12 11 1 1505 0 87 3.47 .912 4 1 3 242 14 0 3.47 .929 2013–14 Ours de Villard-de-Lans FRA 26 13 11 2 1549 0 86 3.33 .910 8 4 4 505 28 0 3.32 .907 2014–15 Toledo Walleye ECHL 45 32 9 3 2635 104 4 2.37 .920 15 7 8 956 35 0 2.20 .924 2015–16 Toledo Walleye ECHL 42 28 11 3 2514 91 3 2.17 .925 5 1 3 256 13 0 3.05 .902 2015–16 San Diego Gulls AHL 1 0 0 0 25 0 0 0.00 1.000 — — — — — — — — 2016–17 Rungsted Seier Capital DEN 23 — — — — — — 2.59 .903 — — — — — — — — 2016–17 Toledo Walleye ECHL 5 3 1 1 300 17 0 3.40 .890 10 6 4 565 24 1 2.55 .913 2017–18 Rapaces de Gap FRA 38 25 11 2 2273 104 1 2.75 .902 4 — — — — — 3.61 .861 2018–19 Toledo Walleye ECHL 1 0 1 0 60 6 0 6.00 .854 — — — — — — — — ECHL totals 121 76 34 8 7114 304 7 2.56 .915 30 14 15 1777 72 1 2.43 .917

Awards and honors Award Year USHL Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award 2005 USHL Goaltender of the Year 2005 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year 2005 All-CCHA Rookie Team 2005–06 CCHA Rookie of the Year 2005–06 CCHA All-Tournament Team 2006 CCHA Most Valuable Player in Tournament 2006 All-NCAA All-Tournament Team 2007 USA Hockey College Player of the Year 2007 All-CCHA First Team 2007–08 AHCA West Second-Team All-American 2007–08 All-CCHA Second Team 2008–09 Ligue Magnus Jean Ferrand Trophy 2014 All-ECHL Second Team 2014–15