CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman Returns to Bucks

Published on August 23, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, Texas - The 2006 CHL President's Cup Champion Laredo Bucks held a press conference today at Lack's Furniture Galleria to announce that they have signed defenseman Serge Dube. Dube, who was the 2006 CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman, is returning for his fifth season in the Gateway City. He is the ninth player signed by the Bucks this off season, and the second returning player. The Bucks are offering a family four pack of season tickets for the 2006-07 CHL regular season, which works out to just over $7 a seat per game and is a 46 % savings off walkup prices. For more info on 2006-07 Bucks season tickets log onto www.laredobucks.com or call (956) 718-BUCK (2825).

Dube is an original Buck dating back to the first year of the franchise in 2002-03 and is Laredo's all-time leader in games played with 207. In 52 regular season games this past year he tallied 14 goals and 41 assists for 55 points. He recorded his first professional hat trick on 01/20 against Colorado. His point total was tied for 5th among all CHL defenseman and he tied for the CHL plus/minus lead with teammate Adam Rivet at +39.

"Serge has always been a cornerstone for the franchise," said Bucks head coach Terry Ruskowski. "Being here for four years he is definitely one of the leaders of the team. He is one of the players that I look towards to turn the game around for us. His versatility in being able to play forward and defense has been extremely valuable."

Dube was the Sherwood CHL Player of the Month for November and was selected to start for the 2006 Southern Conference All-Star team. In the year end awards he was selected the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman, the second Bucks player in franchise history to capture that honor joining Michel Periard in 2002-03. He was also voted the second best Offensive Defenseman in CHL Best of the Best Poll

Dube, 5'11" 200-pounds, tied for 3rd in the CHL playoffs among defenseman with nine points and was tied for third overall at plus nine.

"Laredo is a great place to play," said Dube. "After four years it has become my home. Terry always puts together a solid team and the fans treat us really well."

Dube began the 2004-05 season overseas in England with the Bracknell Bees, however he returned to the Gateway City in November of 2004. Injuries limited him to 32 games with the Bucks where he totaled four goals and 12 assists. Despite struggling with injuries for the first time in his career he made a major impact on the ice. When he returned from an extended stint on the IR on February 23rd, the Bucks were 23-22-2. Despite suffering a severely broken nose in just his third game back he continued playing. With Dube in the lineup down the stretch the team finished 12-0-1 and captured both the Southeast Division title and the top seed in the Southern Conference playoffs. In the playoffs Dube, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, added a goal and seven assists as he helped the Bucks reach the President's Cup Finals for the second straight season. His goal came with less than seven minutes to play in Game Seven of the first round against San Angelo and forced the game to overtime.

Dube had a spectacular 2003-04 season scoring a career high 18 goals and adding 50 assists in 59 regular season game and was selected to the Southern Conference All-Star team. The Bucks went 48-8-8, posting the best winning percentage in CHL history at .814 %. In the playoffs he had a goal and 10 assists as the Bucks captured the 2004 President's Cup. His goal came in the third period of Game Seven of the Finals and forced the game to overtime.

In 2002-03 he played in all 64 regular season games and had 10 goals and 36 assists as he helped the expansion Bucks win 41 games. In the post-season he had two goals and four assists as the Bucks reached the Southern Conference Finals.

2005-06 Bucks Highlights: Had five assists and was plus six on 11/05 vs. MEM, both marks tied franchise records...Had two goals on 11/15 at YNG...Had a goal and two assists on 11/30 vs. RGV...Was the Sherwood CHL Player of the Month for November...Had two goals on 12/03 vs. BOS...Selected to start for the Southern Conference All-Star team...did not register a point in the 2006 CHL All-Star Game...Had first career hat trick on 01/20 vs. COL...Had a Bucks team season high, and career high 12 -game point streak...Was plus three on 02/04 vs. RGV...Placed on 14-Day IR from 02/15-03/09...Had two assists on 03/10 vs. ODE...Scored first goal since 01/20 on 03/26 versus COR...Named to All-CHL Team...Was selected as the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman...Led all CHL defenseman with 6 game winning goals...Tied for 5th among CHL defenseman with 14 goals and was 4th with 55 points...Tied for the CHL lead with teammate Adam Rivet at +39...Was selected as second best Offensive Defenseman in CHL Best of the Best Poll...Bucks franchise leader in games played with 207...Playoffs: Tied for 3rd in the playoffs at +9... Tied for 3rd among defenseman with nine points in post-season...Had a goal and an assist in GM 5 vs. RGV in the first round...Had a goal and an assist in GM 3 & 5 vs. ODE in the Southern Conference Finals...

2004-05 Bucks Highlights

First game this year with the Bucks was on 11/06 vs. AUS...Played in his 128th game in franchise history, to become Bucks all-time leader in games played, on 11/16 vs. AUS ...Celebrated the milestone 128th game with two goals...Had two assists on 03/04 at TUL...Had assists in three straight games from 03/11-03/16...All four total goals came on home ice...played just 32 games due to injury...On IR from 01/09-02/22...was even or plus in 28 of 32 games....Passed 100 PIM plateau this year...

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