# Jeff Lerg
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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jeff_Lerg.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Lerg
> Source revision: 1356641671
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{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 1986)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| caption = Lerg with the [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye) in 2015
| alt =
| name = Jeff Lerg
| image = {{CSS image crop| Image = Jeff Lerg.jpg|bSize = 500|cWidth = 200|cHeight = 450|oTop = 25|oLeft = 15|Location = center}}
| image_size = 230px
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|4|9|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [Livonia, Michigan](/source/Livonia%2C_Michigan), U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 6
| weight_lb = 163
| position = [Goaltender](/source/Goaltender)
| catches = Left
| played_for = [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye)
[HC Asiago](/source/HC_Asiago)
[Ours de Villard-de-Lans](/source/Ours_de_Villard-de-Lans)
[San Diego Gulls](/source/San_Diego_Gulls)
Rungsted Seier Capital
[Rapaces de Gap](/source/Rapaces_de_Gap)
[River City Lancers](/source/River_City_Lancers)
[Omaha Lancers](/source/Omaha_Lancers)
[Michigan State University](/source/Michigan_State_University)
[Trenton Devils](/source/Trenton_Devils)
| career_start = 2009
| career_end = 2019
| draft = Undrafted
}}
'''Jeff Lerg''' (born April 9, 1986) is an American former professional [ice hockey](/source/ice_hockey) [goaltender](/source/Goaltender_(ice_hockey)) who played in the North American minor league, most notably for the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, and in Europe.
==Playing career==
Prior to his college hockey career, Lerg played for the [Omaha Lancers](/source/Omaha_Lancers) of the [USHL](/source/United_States_Hockey_League). He led the league in shutouts, GAA, wins, minutes played and ranked second in save percentage. Lerg broke the USHL record for wins in a season with 36 in helping lead Omaha to a share of the regular-season title. Lerg joined the [Michigan State Spartans](/source/Michigan_State_Spartans_men's_ice_hockey) in [2005](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) and was named [CCHA Rookie of the Year](/source/List_of_CCHA_Rookie_of_the_Year) for his outstanding performance as a freshman. He was a member of Michigan State's [2007 NCAA Championship team](/source/2007_NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament) where he held a 1.25 GAA and .954 save percentage in the tournament. In 2008, he was selected as a finalist for the [James E. Sullivan Award](/source/James_E._Sullivan_Award), given to the top amateur athlete in the United States each year.[{{Cite news| last = Vega | first = Michael | url = http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_hockey/articles/2007/04/07/lerg_is_a_breath_of_fresh_air_for_spartans/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081012080447/http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_hockey/articles/2007/04/07/lerg_is_a_breath_of_fresh_air_for_spartans/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 12, 2008 | title = Lerg is a breath of fresh air for Spartans | newspaper = [Boston.com](/source/Boston.com) | date = April 7, 2007 | accessdate = February 3, 2010}}]
He led the Michigan State Spartans as captain during the [2008–09 season](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season), in which he broke the CCHA saves record and placed second on the NCAA all-time saves list on Senior night at the Munn.[{{cite web| url = http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/03/spartans_swept_lerg_sets_ccha_saves_record | title = Spartans swept, Lerg sets CCHA saves record | website = statenews.com | date = March 20, 2009 | accessdate = April 5, 2012}}]
On July 31, 2009, Lerg signed with the [Lowell Devils](/source/Lowell_Devils) of the [American Hockey League](/source/American_Hockey_League).[{{cite magazine| url = http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?7028 | title = Jeff Lerg player profile | magazine = [The Hockey News](/source/The_Hockey_News) | date = May 18, 2011 | accessdate = May 18, 2011}}] After two injury hampered seasons within the Lowell Devils, playing primarily for ECHL affiliate. the [Trenton Titans](/source/Trenton_Titans), Lerg spent a season with [HC Asiago](/source/HC_Asiago) of the [Serie A](/source/Serie_A_(ice_hockey)). During the [2011–12 season](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Serie_A_(ice_hockey)), Lerg played in 24 games with HC Asiago and held a 2.64 GAA and a .921 save percentage.
On April 23, 2012, Lerg signed with [Ours de Villard-de-Lans](/source/Ours_de_Villard-de-Lans) of the [Ligue Magnus](/source/Ligue_Magnus). After two successful seasons with Villard, Lerg returned to North America and signed a one-year contract with the [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye) of the [ECHL](/source/ECHL) on July 16, 2014.[{{cite web| url = http://www.mes-tv.com/jeff-lerg-returns-to-echl-signs-with-toledo/ | title = Jeff Lerg Returns To ECHL, Signs With Toledo | website = mes-tv.com | date = July 16, 2014 | accessdate = July 16, 2014}}]
On November 20, 2014, Lerg was signed to a [Professional Try Out](/source/Hockey_contracts) by the [Grand Rapids Griffins](/source/Grand_Rapids_Griffins).[{{cite web | url = http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=2947 | title = Roster Shake-Up | publisher = [Grand Rapids Griffins](/source/Grand_Rapids_Griffins) | date = November 20, 2014 | accessdate = November 20, 2014 | archive-date = November 24, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141124042939/http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=2947 | url-status = dead }}] Following the game on November 21, the Griffins released Lerg from his professional try out.[{{cite web | url = http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=2948 | title = Monsters Complete Comeback | publisher = [Grand Rapids Griffins](/source/Grand_Rapids_Griffins) | date = November 21, 2014 | accessdate = November 21, 2014 | archive-date = November 29, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044033/http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=2948 | url-status = dead }}] On March 9, 2015, Lerg was signed to a second professional try out by the Griffins.[{{cite web | url = http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=3064 | title = Four Shifts | publisher = [Grand Rapids Griffins](/source/Grand_Rapids_Griffins) | date = March 9, 2015 | accessdate = March 9, 2015 | archive-date = April 2, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114236/http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=3064 | url-status = dead }}]
Lerg was named the [ECHL](/source/ECHL) Goaltender of the Month for the month of November. He went 7–0–1, with one shutout, a 2.65 GAA and a .922 save percentage in eight appearances during the month as the Walleye went 10–2–1 in November. Lerg allowed two goals or less in four of his eight appearances.[{{cite web| url = http://www.toledowalleye.com/site/story/lerg-named-echl-goaltender-of-the-month | title = Lerg named ECHL Goaltender of the Month | publisher = [ECHL](/source/ECHL) | date = December 3, 2014 | accessdate = December 3, 2014 }}]
Lerg was named the [CCM](/source/CCM_(ice_hockey)) ECHL goaltender of the week for the week ending March 22. Lerg went 3–0–0 with one shutout, a 0.65 GAA and a .975 save percentage in three appearances last week, helping the Walleye extend their unbeaten streak to eight games (7–0–1).[{{cite web| url = http://www.echl.com/lerg-named-ccm-echl-goaltender-of-the-week-p196960 | title = Lerg named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week | publisher = [ECHL](/source/ECHL) | date = March 24, 2015 | accessdate = March 24, 2015 }}] Lerg set a Walleye franchise record for the most wins in one season, with 31 wins, and most shutouts in one season, with four shutouts. His 31 wins is tied for first in the league, while he ranks second with a 2.32 GAA, and third with a .921 save percentage.[{{cite web| url = http://www.toledowalleye.com/site/story/lerg-named-to-the-all-echl-second-team | title = Jeff Lerg and Tyler Barnes earn ECHL honors | publisher = [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye) | date = April 10, 2015 | accessdate = April 10, 2015 }}]
On December 28, 2015, Lerg was signed to a professional try-out by the [Grand Rapids Griffins](/source/Grand_Rapids_Griffins). Lerg played in 17 games with the Toledo Walleye, ranking eighth among ECHL goaltenders with a 2.01 GAA to go along with a 12–3–0 record, a 0.929 save percentage and one shutout.[{{cite web | url = http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=3263 | title = Time to Tango | publisher = [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye) | date = December 28, 2015 | accessdate = December 28, 2015 | archive-date = March 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063358/http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=3263 | url-status = dead }}]
On July 21, 2016, Lerg opted to return overseas, signing a one-year deal as a free agent with Danish club, Rungsted Seier Capital, of the [Metal Ligaen](/source/Metal_Ligaen).[{{cite web | url = http://rungsted.is/index.php/nyheder/31-spillernyheder/1239-amerikansk-spraellemand-i-rungsted-malet | title = American Jeff Lerg to Rungsted | publisher = RungstedSeierCapital.com | date = 2016-07-21 | accessdate = 2016-07-21 | language = Danish | archive-date = July 24, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160724133134/http://rungsted.is/index.php/nyheder/31-spillernyheder/1239-amerikansk-spraellemand-i-rungsted-malet | url-status = dead }}] After 23 games and unable to guide Capital to the post-season, Lerg returned to rejoin the Toledo Walleye on January 28, 2017.
After another season in the Ligue Magnus with [Rapaces de Gap](/source/Rapaces_de_Gap), Lerg returned for one more stint with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL at the tail end of the [2018–19](/source/2018-19_ECHL_season) season as an emergency goaltender. In the penultimate game of the regular season, Lerg made his lone and last appearance in a 6–3 defeat to the [Brampton Beast](/source/Brampton_Beast) on April 6, 2019, finishing as the Walleye's All-time leader with 92 appearances.[{{cite web| url = https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2019/04/06/despite-return-goalie-jeff-lerg-walleye-lose-brampton-beast/stories/20190406134 | title = Despite return of Lerg, Walleye fall in last regular season home game | publisher = ToledoBlade.com | date = April 7, 2019 | accessdate = April 7, 2019}}]
==Personal life==
Lerg is the cousin of [Bryan Lerg](/source/Bryan_Lerg). They were teammates at [Michigan State University](/source/Michigan_State_Spartans_men's_ice_hockey) from [2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season) to [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season).
==Career statistics==
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:75%"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! align="center" colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | [Regular season](/source/Regular_season)
! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! align="center" colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | [Playoffs](/source/Playoffs)
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [Season](/source/Season_(sports))
! Team
! League
! GP
! W
! L
! T/OT
! MIN
! GA
! [SO](/source/Shutout)
! [GAA](/source/Goals_against_average)
! [SV%](/source/save_percentage)
! GP
! W
! L
! MIN
! GA
! SO
! GAA
! SV%
|-
| [2003–04](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_USHL_season)
| [River City Lancers](/source/Omaha_Lancers)
| [USHL](/source/United_States_Hockey_League)
| 35 || 24 || 5 || 2 || 1963 || 72 || 4 || 2.20 || .917
| 3
| 0
| 2
| 183
| 0
| 7
| 2.29
| .929
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2004–05](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_USHL_season)
| [Omaha Lancers](/source/Omaha_Lancers)
| USHL
| 52 || 36 || 11 || 4 || 3105 || 112 || 6 || 2.16 || .916
| 5
| 2
| 3
| 298
| 1
| 10
| 2.01
| .931
|-
| [2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
| [Michigan State University](/source/Michigan_State_Spartans_men's_ice_hockey)
| [CCHA](/source/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association)
| 31 || 17 || 6 || 6 || 1840 || 60 || 3 || 1.96 || .928
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2006–07](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
| Michigan State University
| CCHA
| 42 || 26 || 13 || 3 || 2465 || 99 || 3 || 2.41 || .913
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
| Michigan State University
| CCHA
| 41 || 24 || 12 || 5 || 2464 || 91 || 4 || 2.22 || .926
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2008–09](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
| Michigan State University
| CCHA
| 32 || 9 || 20 || 3 || 1921 || 94 || 2 || 2.94 || .917
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_ECHL_season)
| [Trenton Devils](/source/Trenton_Titans)
| [ECHL](/source/ECHL)
| 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 120 || 11 || 0 || 5.50 || .810
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_ECHL_season)
| Trenton Devils
| ECHL
| 27 || 12 || 12 || 1 || 1545 || 81 || 0 || 3.15 || .903
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Serie_A_(ice_hockey))
| [HC Asiago](/source/HC_Asiago)
| [ITL](/source/Serie_A_(ice_hockey))
| 24 || 13 || 11 || 0 || 1475 || 65 || 3 || 2.64 || .921
| 3
| 0
| 3
| 139
| 0
| 12
| 5.16
| .844
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Ligue_Magnus_season)
| [Ours de Villard-de-Lans](/source/Ours_de_Villard-de-Lans)
| [FRA](/source/Ligue_Magnus)
| 25 || 12 || 11 || 1 || 1505 || 0 || 87 || 3.47 || .912
| 4
| 1
| 3
| 242
| 14
| 0
| 3.47
| .929
|-
| [2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Ligue_Magnus_season)
| Ours de Villard-de-Lans
| FRA
| 26 || 13 || 11 || 2 || 1549 || 0 || 86 || 3.33 || .910
| 8
| 4
| 4
| 505
| 28
| 0
| 3.32
| .907
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_ECHL_season)
| [Toledo Walleye](/source/Toledo_Walleye)
| ECHL
| 45 || 32 || 9 || 3 || 2635 || 104 || 4 || 2.37 || .920
| 15
| 7
| 8
| 956
| 35
| 0
| 2.20
| .924
|-
| [2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_ECHL_season)
| Toledo Walleye
| ECHL
| 42 || 28 || 11 || 3 || 2514 || 91 || 3 || 2.17 || .925
| 5
| 1
| 3
| 256
| 13
| 0
| 3.05
| .902
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_AHL_season)
| [San Diego Gulls](/source/San_Diego_Gulls)
| [AHL](/source/American_Hockey_League)
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 25 || 0 || 0 || 0.00 || 1.000
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Metal_Ligaen_season)
| Rungsted Seier Capital
| [DEN](/source/Metal_Ligaen)
| 23 || — || — || — || — || — || — || 2.59 || .903
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_ECHL_season)
| Toledo Walleye
| ECHL
| 5 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 300|| 17 || 0 || 3.40 || .890
| 10
| 6
| 4
| 565
| 24
| 1
| 2.55
| .913
|-
| 2017–18
| [Rapaces de Gap](/source/Rapaces_de_Gap)
| FRA
| 38 || 25 || 11 || 2 || 2273 || 104 || 1 || 2.75 || .902
| 4
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| 3.61
| .861
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [2018–19](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_ECHL_season)
| Toledo Walleye
| ECHL
| 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 60 || 6 || 0 || 6.00 || .854
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" align="center" | ECHL totals
! 121 !! 76 !! 34 !! 8 !! 7114 !! 304 !! 7 !! 2.56 !! .915
! 30
! 14
! 15
! 1777
! 72
! 1
! 2.43
! .917
|}
==Awards and honors==
{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Year
!
|-
| [USHL](/source/United_States_Hockey_League) [Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award](/source/Dave_Tyler_Junior_Player_of_the_Year_Award)
| [2005](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_USHL_season)
| [{{cite web|url=http://www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3312 |title=USHL award winners announced |publisher=[United States Hockey League](/source/United_States_Hockey_League) |date=May 1, 2005 |accessdate=May 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807025238/http://www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3312 |archivedate=August 7, 2011 }}]
|-
| [USHL](/source/United_States_Hockey_League) [Goaltender of the Year](/source/List_of_USHL_award_winners)
| [2005](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_USHL_season)
|
|-
| [USA Hockey](/source/USA_Hockey) [Junior Player of the Year](/source/Dave_Tyler_Junior_Player_of_the_Year_Award)
| [2005](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_USHL_season)
|
|-
| All-[CCHA](/source/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association) [Rookie Team](/source/List_of_All-CCHA_Teams)
| [2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
|
|-
| [CCHA](/source/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association) [Rookie of the Year](/source/List_of_CCHA_Rookie_of_the_Year)
| [2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
|
|-
| [CCHA](/source/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association) [All-Tournament Team](/source/List_of_CCHA_All-Tournament_Teams)
| [2006](/source/2006_CCHA_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament)
| [{{cite news|title=2012–13 CCHA Media Guide|url=http://issuu.com/cchahockey/docs/2012-13_ccha_media_guide_final_2a_compressed#|publisher=ISSUU.com|accessdate=April 23, 2014}}]
|-
| [CCHA](/source/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association) [Most Valuable Player in Tournament](/source/List_of_CCHA_Most_Valuable_Player_in_Tournament)
| [2006](/source/2006_CCHA_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament)
|
|-
| All-[NCAA](/source/NCAA_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Championship) [All-Tournament Team](/source/List_of_NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Ice_Hockey_All-Tournament_Teams)
| [2007](/source/2007_NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament)
| [{{cite news|title=NCAA Frozen Four Records|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/frozen_4/2009/f4recs.pdf|publisher=NCAA.org|accessdate=June 19, 2013}}]
|-
| USA Hockey College Player of the Year
| [2007](/source/2007_NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Ice_Hockey_Tournament)
| [{{cite web| url = http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/053007aaa.html | title = Lerg, Petry Honored by USA Hockey | publisher = [Michigan State Spartans](/source/Michigan_State_Spartans) | date = May 30, 2007 | accessdate = May 2, 2012}}]
|-
| All-[CCHA](/source/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association) [First Team](/source/List_of_All-CCHA_Teams)
| [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
| [{{cite news|title=All-CCHA Teams|url=http://www.augenblick.org/chha/ccha_all.html|publisher=College Hockey Historical Archives|accessdate=July 27, 2013}}]
|-
| [AHCA](/source/American_Hockey_Coaches_Association) [West Second-Team All-American](/source/List_of_Division_I_AHCA_All-American_Teams)
| [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
|
|-
| All-[CCHA](/source/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association) [Second Team](/source/List_of_All-CCHA_Teams)
| [2008–09](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_NCAA_Division_I_men's_ice_hockey_season)
| [{{cite web | url = http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/121809aaa.html | title = Lerg Named NCAA Award Winner | publisher = [Michigan State Spartans](/source/Michigan_State_Spartans) | date = December 18, 2009 | accessdate = December 18, 2009 | archive-date = February 12, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100212185821/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/121809aaa.html | url-status = dead }}]
|-
| [Ligue Magnus](/source/Ligue_Magnus) [Jean Ferrand Trophy](/source/Jean_Ferrand_Trophy)
| [2014](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Ligue_Magnus_season)
|
|-
| All-[ECHL](/source/ECHL) [Second Team](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_ECHL_season)
| [2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_ECHL_season)
|