Goaltender Jeff Lerg, who has played in 122 games for the Toledo Walleye, has opted to return to Europe next season after coming back to Toledo in the middle of last season.
Lerg signed a contract Monday to play for a team based in France. The 31-year-old will play next season for the Gap Rapaces.
Lerg, a native of Livonia, Mich., had played in 2½ seasons for the Walleye. He helped transform the Walleye into a championship-caliber organization in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Lerg appeared in 92 regular-season games and 30 playoff games for Toledo.
“It’s a very difficult decision,” Lerg said. “Walking out of that tunnel for games, you’d feel that passion. It’s like nothing I ever experienced before. I will miss the organization, the fans, and the city. My most memorable moments came in the playoffs. I felt that again this year. I felt the passion and the emotion. That got me excited and helped me play at a high level.”
Lerg has played in the United States, Italy, Denmark, and France in his seven seasons as a pro.
Last summer, Lerg signed with a team based in Denmark and played in 23 games for Rungsted. He was 13-7-3 and had a 2.59 goals-against average.
But at the end of January, Lerg decided to return to the Walleye. He said he had unfinished business in Toledo. He also said he had an up-and- down experience in Europe.
Lerg then played in five regular-season games for Toledo. He became Toledo’s top goalie in the postseason after starter Jake Paterson was injured in Game 7 of Toledo’s opening-round series against Kalamazoo.
Lerg appeared in 10 Kelly Cup playoff games, posting a 6-3-1 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
The 5-foot-6, 163-pound goaltender became known for his unparalleled work ethic and unique rituals. Lerg earned All-ECHL second-team honors in his first two seasons with the Walleye.
Lerg said he competed against the Gap team when he played for another team in France in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
“I’m very comfortable with the area. I know the language pretty well,” Lerg said. “From a hockey standpoint, I know this coach from playing against him. He has won the title in three of the last four years. The expectation of winning is there. It’s a good program. The arena is nice, and the fans are solid.”
Lerg said it also will afford him the chance to play against some of the top competition in Europe. He will compete against teams in the Champions Hockey League.
“I’ll finally get the chance to play against the top Swedish team, the top Swiss team, and the top Austrian team,” he said.
Lerg, whose wife Lauren is pregnant with the couple’s first child, said financial considerations also played a role. He said he will be making about double what he did in the ECHL.
“I’m 31 with a kid on the way. I’m not 23 anymore,” he said.
He helped Toledo to a Brabham Cup title for the best record in the ECHL during the 2014-15 regular season. He also led the Walleye to back-to-back Eastern Conference championships.
The runner-up for ECHL goaltender of the year in 2015-16, Lerg posted a 28-11-3 record. He also set single-season Walleye records with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
Lerg also led Michigan State University to an NCAA championship in 2007.
He said he is grateful for his time in Toledo.
“I don’t want the fans to think I’m turning my back on them. I feel like I’ll always be a part of that community,” he said. “I thought for sure I would go out in style there. It was all coming together. I wish it could have ended differently. It was special to be part of those teams.”
Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354 or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.
First Published May 30, 2017, 4:31 a.m.
