Junior Lessard

Lucien Jr Daniel Lessard (born May 26, 1980 in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for Augsburger Panther of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.

Playing career
Lessard attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where he led the NCAA in goals (32) and points (63) during the 2003–04 season, numbers that would be good enough to win the Hobey Baker Award. He also led the WCHA in the same categories with 19 goals and 39 points in conference play.

On April 15, 2004, after winning the Hobey Baker Award in his senior season, Lessard signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Stars. He made his NHL debut for the Stars during the 2005–06 season. Lessard was traded to Tampa Bay on January 15, 2008 in exchange for Dan Jancevski.

Lessard signed a contract with the Atlanta Thrashers on July 9th, 2008. Lessard was assigned to affiliate the Chicago Wolves to start the 2008–09 season. On January 13th, 2008, he was traded by the Thrashers to the New York Islanders for Brett Skinner and was immediately sent to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.[1]

On October 7, 2009 Lessard signed a one-year contract for SM-liiga team Ilves, but after only 4 games on November 4, Lessard was released due to injury.[2] On January 13, 2010, he resumed playing back in Canada signing with semi-pro team the Thetford Mines Isothermic of the LNAH. On February 1, 2010, after recovering from injury Junior signed with German team Augsburger Panther of the DEL for the remainder of the season.[3]

Awards & Achievements

 * MJHL Rookie All-Star Team (1999)
 * Played for MJHL's Manitoba Pride @ Viking Cup (2000)
 * selected to MJHL All-Star Game (2000)
 * Steve "Boomer" Hawrysh Memorial Award MJHL MVP (2000)
 * Lorne Lyndon Memorial Trophy MJHL Hockey Ability & Sportsmanship Award (2000)
 * MJHL All-Star Team (2000)
 * Canadian Junior A Hockey League MJHL Player of the Year (2000)
 * Canadian Junior A Hockey League Player of the Year (2000)
 * Ed Belfour High Performance Award MJHL Scholarship (2000)