Wolf Pack Sign Francis Lessard and Jordan Owens

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 4:00 PM

Hartford Wolf Pack general manager/head coach Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Wolf Pack have signed right wing Francis Lessard and forward Jordan Owens to American Hockey League contracts. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Lessard, a 28-year-old veteran of seven pro seasons, led the AHL in penalty minutes as a member of the Wolf Pack in 2006-07, with 309 in 58 games. He also chipped in three goals and six assists for nine points. Prior to that, the 6-3, 224-pound native of Montreal, Quebec had played four seasons in the Atlanta Thrashers organization. That stint included 91 NHL games, in which Lessard totaled one goal, three assists and 268 penalty minutes, and an AHL Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves in 2001-02. Lessard began his pro career in the Philadelphia Flyers' system, playing two seasons in the AHL with the Flyers' top affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. In 353 career AHL games, Lessard has clicked for 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points, and has amassed a total of 1,695 penalty minutes.

Lessard was originally drafted in the third round (80th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997, out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Owens, 21, joined the Wolf Pack April 6th on an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement, after completing his Junior season with the Mississauga IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He played two regular season games with the Wolf Pack (no points or penalty minutes), and suited up for six of the Pack's seven playoff contests, logging nine penalty minutes.

In 60 OHL games with the IceDogs in 2006-07, Owens registered 32 goals and 42 assists for 74 points, along with 51 minutes in penalties. His total of 42 assists ranked fourth on the Mississauga squad and he finished fifth on the team in points and goals. The Toronto, Ontario native led the IceDogs club in goals during the 2005-06 season, and tied for tops on the team in points, with 26-28-54 in 66 games. Owens also earned a spot on the Eastern Conference squad for the 2005-06 OHL All-Star Classic, and struck for a goal and an assist and a +2 rating in the All-Star Game. In his three-year career with Mississauga, the 6-0, 170-pounder totaled 69 goals and 84 assists for 153 points, along with 143 PIM, in 192 games.

The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack is newly operated by Northland AEG LLC, a joint partnership between Northland Investment Corporation and AEG Facilities. The team is owned by Madison Square Garden LP.