RIT's Lambert Signs With Victoria (ECHL)

Courtesy of RIT Sports Information

ROCHESTER, NY - Forward Simon Lambert (Ste. Therese, Quebec), a four-year member of the men's hockey team  from 2004-2008, became the second Tiger to turn pro in a week, as he signed with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the East Coast Hockey League on Wednesday.  Teammate Matt Smith (Toronto, Ontario) signed with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL last week and scored his first professional goal on Tuesday.

Lambert, a 2008 Hobey Baker Award finalist, graduated early with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering a quarter early, in February, recording a 3.48 cumulative grade-point average.  This year, he had a 3.71 grade-point average.  He was named to the Empire 8 President¹s List in both 2006 and 2007.  In addition, Lambert has volunteered for several community service projects in the area.

Lambert is the fourth Tiger in the last two years to turn professional.  He did not forego any of his eligibilty to do so.

Lambert enjoyed a phenomenal season for the Tigers, leading the Tigers to a 19-12-6 record and a spot in the Atlantic Hockey Association semifinals.  Last week, he was a unanimous All-Atlantic Hockey Association first team selection and was awarded the leading scorer trophy.  He is tied for third in the country with 51 points on 21 goals and 30 assists.  The 30 assists are tied for fourth most in the nation.  Lambert recorded an 11-game point-scoring streak from Feb. 1 to March 15.  During that span, Lambert had nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points.  In the first round sweep of Holy Cross, RIT¹s first two playoff games as a Division I program, Lambert had
six assists in the two wins.  He had seven power-play goals, three game-winning tallies and was plus-5.

For his career, Lambert finished with 63 goals and 89 assists for 152 points in 125 games.  He is RIT¹s all-time leading Division I scorer with 55 goals and 77 assists in the last three seasons.

Victoria starts a four-game road trip tonight in Stockton (California).

The Salmon Kings are an affiliate of the Mantioba Moose of the American Hockey League and the NHL's Nashville Predators.