SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Crunch have signed Vance Lederman to a 22-year contract extension, Howard Dolgon, the minor-league hockey team’s owner, announced in a recent news release.
Lederman currently serves as the team’s senior VP of business operations and chief financial officer.
He has been part of the Crunch since the hockey club came to Syracuse in 1994.
The Crunch were scheduled to honor Lederman’s service to the organization with “Vance Lederman Night” during Friday night’s game with the Albany Devils.
“We strongly felt that this was the right time to lock Vance into a long-term commitment as we have heard that there were several organizations interested in signing him,” Dolgon said in the team’s March 17 news release. “He is a legendary figure in Syracuse and we are delighted that he will be with the Crunch as he celebrates his 80th birthday in 2038.”
The Crunch inked Lederman to a 12-year contract with a 10-year option. The contract extension will double the Brooklyn native’s tenure with the team.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to be part of the Crunch organization for another 22 years,” said Lederman. “During my time here, many of my friend’s children have worked for me. I’m looking forward to their grandchildren working for me.”
Lederman will be 70 when the parties approach the 10-year option. If Lederman accepts the option, he will be with the Crunch for 44 seasons. The Crunch noted that because the No. 44 is “storied” in the Syracuse community as the famed jersey number in Syracuse University athletics.
“I haven’t slowed down at all,” Lederman said. “I can talk to more people in an hour now than when I was 21. I’m walking the halls at a brisker pace than the 1990s.”
The Crunch aren’t the first organization to honor Lederman.
The American Hockey League in 2015 also recognized Lederman for his “hard work and dedication” with the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for the 2014-15 season. The AHL gives the award to the league’s outstanding executive, the Crunch said.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com