The theme of roster familiarity with the League and Cup champions continues with the announcement by the Flames that defenceman Jez Lundin and forward Andrew Sharp have accepted new contracts with the side.
Sharp, a 6’1”, 210lb Philippines born Canadian citizen, joined the club in early December last season. Best known for his physical side, the dual Canadian-British national iced 34 times with the eventual double winners, netting 5 goals and posting 75 penalty minutes. In 2010-2011, Sharp departed his Quebec, Canada based team for the Manchester Phoenix where he iced in 23 games while helping them to the league title. The 28 year old has had stints with Romford Raiders and Coventry Blaze as well as Sheffield Steelers whom he represented during their league championship haul in 2008-2009 ahead of a stop with Edinburgh Capitals in 2009-2010. Between the latter two outfits, Sharp iced 80 times while registering 1 assist and 375 minutes in penalties. In 188 pro games he has 8 goals, 4 assists and 761 penalty minutes.
24 year old Lundin has signed on for a 4th season at Spectrum. The American born blue liner has consistently shown an ability to generate offence from the back, last season posting 10 goals and 38 points over the 63 game stretch. The 6’1”, 200lb skater has also been a consistent presence in the line-up, missing just 1 game across his 3 seasons with the side. In 188 starts, Lundin has 33 goals, 111 assists and 144 points to go with 302 penalty minutes.
Lundin joined the side in time for 2009-2010 after most of 3 campaigns with the Newcastle Vipers. He opened his Spectrum account with 13 goals and 38 assists, and led the club with 144 penalty minutes as part the Premier Cup winning team; his first of 4 trophies including the 2010-2011 playoffs, and last season’s League and Cup haul. During a pair of full time Viper seasons, Lundin skated 115 times and registered 19 points along with 165 minutes in penalties.
In 2006-2007, his first Viper term, he split his playing obligations; 41 matches with the big team while still skating at under 19 level. In 2003-2004 he got his first taste of the senior circuit when he jumped up on occasion from the Sunderland under 19 outfit to skate with the English National League Chiefs from the same city. Prior to the Newcastle move, while still at junior’s highest age group, he continued to increase his senior experience by icing 16 games with the ENL Whitley Warriors in 2004-2005, and adding 35 English Premier League outings to his resume during 2005-2006 with Solihull Barons.
His international credits include 5 caps with the GB team that won the Gold medal at the world under 18 championships in 2006. In 2008 he had a goal and an assist for the national programme during the 2008 world junior under 20 tournament.
Paul Dixon talked about Lundin and Sharp’s respective roles with the team:
“One of the features of our team over the last couple of years has been the combination of skilled players and those who you might more correctly define by talking about their physical strengths and grit. Jez as an individual in a way represents both ends of the spectrum by being able to handle the puck well and contribute offensively, while also being a strong physical presence who can play a hard-nosed style against the most dangerous opponents from other teams.
Andrew without a doubt adds a component to our roster that is unique in terms of team toughness. He is an up and down winger who plays hard physically and understands his role. Though he is not an offensive guy, he goes hard to the net and creates traffic that can be troubling for opposing netminders. Both guys had significant roles in what we accomplished last season and we expect that their particular abilities will be a big part of what we hope to be able to do again in the season ahead. ”
