Thrashers Agree to Terms with Restricted Free Agents Scott Lehman, Grant Lewis and Tim Stapleton

The Atlanta Thrashers have agreed to terms with restricted free agent defensemen Scott Lehman and Grant Lewis, along with forward Tim Stapleton, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Lehman, 23, appeared in 50 games with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League last season, posting five points (two goals, three assists) with 86 penalty minutes. The 6-1, 200-pound defenseman earned his first-career NHL recall and made his NHL debut on Dec. 18 vs. Pittsburgh.

The Fort McMurray, Alta., native has recorded 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 93 career games with the Wolves. Lehman has also appeared in 78 ECHL games with Gwinnett, accumulating 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 78 games.

Prior to his professional career, Lehman tallied 121 points (15 goals, 106 assists) in 244 regular season games with Toronto St. Michael’s of the Ontario Hockey League. In 51 playoff games with St. Michael’s, he registered 14 points (five goals, nine assists).

Lehman was selected by the Thrashers in the third round, 76th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Lewis, 24, recorded 22 assists and earned a plus-17 rating in 54 games with the Wolves last season. He ranked second on the club in plus/minus rating and tied for fourth among team defensemen in assists. The 6-3, 200-pound defenseman made his NHL debut on Mar. 3 vs. Florida, posting one shot on goal in 15:29 of ice time.

In 97 career AHL games with Chicago, Lewis has collected 38 points (two goals, 36 assists). He played in two Calder Cup Playoff games en route to capturing the 2008 Calder Cup.

Prior his professional career, the Pittsburgh, Penn., native played for Dartmouth College from 2003-04 to 2006-07, registering 77 points (13 goals, 64 assists) and 172 penalty minutes. Following the 2003-04 season, Lewis was named to the ECAC First All-Star Team and ECAC All-Rookie Team.

Lewis was originally selected by the Thrashers in the second round, 40th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Stapleton, 26, scored one goal in four games with the Maple Leafs last season. He made his NHL debut on Feb. 26 at the New York Islanders and scored his first NHL goal in his next game on Feb. 28 at Ottawa. The 5-9, 160-pound center also appeared in 70 games with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, recording 79 points (28 goals, 51 assists). Stapleton led the Marlies in points, goals and assists and ranked second on the team with eight power play tallies. He added two goals in six Calder Cup Playoff games with Toronto.

The La Grange, Ill., native has posted 84 points (28 goals, 56 assists) in 79 career AHL games with Portland and Toronto, adding two goals in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games. He spent two seasons with Jokerit Helsinki in Finland, recording 110 points (48 goals, 62 assists) in 111 games. Prior to his professional career, Stapleton played four seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, registering 152 points (63 goals, 89 assists) in 162 games. He was signed by Toronto as a free agent on June 6, 2008.

Atlanta Thrashers Season Tickets for the 2009-10 regular season start as low as $10 per game and are available by visiting atlantathrashers.com or calling (866) 715-1500.