Detroit signs Ehrhardt

Press Release

The Detroit Red Wings announced earlier today that they have signed defenseman Travis Ehrhardt to three-year entry level deal.

Ehrhardt, the team captain in 2008-09, led the team’s defensemen in scoring last season with nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points, the fourth-highest total on the team. He was also named the team’s most valuable player. Following the season, he earned an amateur tryout contract with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), and saw action in three games. Ehrhardt began last season by attending the Red Wings’ training camp.

Portland originally acquired Ehrhardt in a trade with Moose Jaw early in the 2007-08 season, and he posted seven goals and 22 assists for 29 points in 54 games after the trade. Ehrhardt has tallied 20 goals and 99 assists for 119 points in 256 games with Portland and Moose Jaw.

“Travis is a terrific player and a great person, and he is very deserving of this contract. Everyone with the Winterhawks wishes him nothing but the best,” said Portland Winterhawks General Manager and Head Coach Mike Johnston. “He is a great example to our young players, as he went undrafted by the NHL but worked extremely hard, made great improvements in his game and eventually earned a contract with one of the elite franchises in the league.”

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)