Jody Lehman

Jody Lehman (born July 1st, 1975 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player (netminder), currently playing for the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL. He began playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League in 1991-92, and stayed there until the 1995-96 season when he moved to the Brandon Wheat Kings (also of the WHL). Following this season he moved on to the Wichita Thunder of the CHL, before his move to the South Carolina Stingrays for the 1998-99 season. This was a successful spell for Lehman, who in his 4 seasons for South Carolina won a Kelly Cup (2000–01) and also received a call up to the Rochester Americans of the AHL. But following the 2001-02 season Lehman moved across the Atlantic to play for the british side the Coventry Blaze. His first season was very succesful as the Blaze won major honours, winning the league and the playoffs (the team went unbeaten winning the playoffs). The next season the Blaze and Lehman moved into the newly formed Elite Ice Hockey League(EIHL) finishing 3rd in its innaugural season. The next season (2004-05) was a highly successful season for both Lehman and the Blaze as they dominated the league backed by the outstanding netmainding of Lehman who had his best season for the Blaze. They went on to win the grand slam, winning the league, playoffs and the challenge cup. The goaltending of Lehman had been a key to this success, which was demonstrated in the playoff finals, where the Blaze won a tight game in overtime beating the Nottingham Panthers.

Following the grand slam season Lehman decided to move to fellow EIHL side the Sheffield Steelers. His first two season there were far less successful both stats wise and in terms of trophies (collecting just the British Knockout Cup after beating the Blaze over two legs). Things turned around in the 2007-08 season though as the Steelers made a late challenge for the league only to fall just short after a tremendous late season surge in results. They did however go on to win the playoff championship. In the quarter-finals they beat the Manchester Phoenix 9-8 over two legs to qualify for the playoff finals weekend. Here Lehman played some of the best hockey of his career, first holding the Cardiff Devils to a single goal and even saving a penalty shot in a 2-1 win. Then in the final the Steelers beat the league champion Coventry Blaze (2-0), with Lehman shutting them out in a tremendous performance performance, especially in the closing stages as the Blaze poured on the pressure. After speculation that Lehman would sign with another european side he eventually re-signed for his forth season with the Steelers. After a bit of a shakey start to the season in which they were knocked out of both the Challenge Cup and Knockout Cup early the Steelers settled down, and using a defensive system, which used the strength of the good defence and the good netminding of Lehman they went on to move to the top of the league. This good run of results has seen them lose just three times in regulation and concede the fewest goals in the league, helped by a strong defensive corp and excellent goaltending. With under ten league games remaining the Steelers lead the league by 11 points, and it seems as though another championship is in the grasp for Lehman. Lehman was also selected by coach Dave Matsos to the 2008-09 EIHL All-Stars game to play as netminder for the Northern All Stars alongside Newcastle's Andrew Verner. The Southern All-Stars eventaully won the game 12-10. Lehman has stated that this will be his last seasoon with the steelers, due to the weakening of the pound and his financial commitments he has decided that after the 2008-09 season he will seek a new club in europe or north america.

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