Ansell, Bennefield Named All-Star Starters

Published on December 28, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, Texas --- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and the Central Hockey League (CHL) today announced that Nathan Ansell and Jesse Bennefield have been named starters for the South Texas All Stars at the 2010 CHL All-Star game, scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo.

Defenseman Nathan Ansell is fifth among defensemen with 22 points (3-19-22) and is second in the league in power play assists (15). Bennefield has been among the league's top goal scorers all season and currently sits in second place in the CHL with 17 goals (38 points). It will be the first CHL All-Star appearance for both players.

The South Texas All-Star Team (made up of players from the Laredo Bucks, the Corpus Christi IceRays and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees) is scheduled to play a team of CHL All-Stars comprised of the remaining 12 teams. The starters were selected by the South Texas coaching staff made up of head coach Terry Ruskowski from Laredo and assistant co-coaches Brent Hughes from Corpus Christi and Chris Brooks from Rio Grande Valley.

The host team Laredo Bucks feature three players on the starting unit led by one of the co-Most Valuable Players of the 2009 CHL All-Star Game, Darryl Smith. The 2009 CHL Rookie of the Year is averaging nearly a point a game with 12 goals and 11 assists in 24 contests. Smith had a goal and an assist in last year's game. He is joined on the starting unit by teammates Jean-Philippe Levasseur and defenseman Adam Rivet. Levasseur, a first-time CHL All-Star, is currently in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Falcons. In his 16 games with the Bucks this season, the Victoriaville, Quebec native has a 10-3-3 record with a 2.31 goals against average (second in the CHL). Rivet will be playing in his second CHL All-Star Game. This season, he ranks just outside the top 10 among defensemen in scoring with 16 points (5-11-16).

Rounding out the starters and making his second All-Star appearance is Corpus Christi forward Justin Quenneville. The Montreal, native is tied for the IceRays team lead with 22 points (11-11-22).

2010 South Texas All-Star Starters

Position- Player (Team), Appearance

Forward - Darryl Smith (Laredo), 2nd

Forward - Justin Quenneville (Corpus Christi), 2nd

Forward - Jesse Bennefield (Rio Grande Valley), 1st

Defenseman - Nathan Ansell (Rio Grande Valley), 1st

Defenseman - Adam Rivet (Laredo), 2nd

Goaltender - J.P. Levasseur (Laredo), 1st

The starters for the CHL All-Star team will be announced on Tuesday, December 29 with the reserves for both teams being announced later in the week.

The Killer Bees (14-10-3) return home Tuesday, Dec. 29, vs. Tulsa at 7:30 p.m. Winter Texans can save $12 a ticket by calling 956-843-PUCK. Hot dogs, soda and popcorn are just $1 all night long for everyone.

SAVE $40 WITH FAMILY FOUR PACKS!

Family Four Packs are all inclusive with meals and two free game pucks for just $72! Get Family Four-Packs by calling (956) 843-PUCK.

FUNDRAISER FUN

Killer Bees fundraisers are perfect for your organization. Why sell candy bars or junk from a catalog when you can sell something fun?! Make up to $6 per ticket. Call 956-843-PUCK (7825) and ask to speak to a Killer Bees Fan Experience Manager to find out more.

TICKET INFORMATION

Season tickets, mini-plans and group packages for the every game can be purchased online at www.killerbeehockey.com and at the team office inside Dodge Arena (8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mon.-Fri.). Individual game tickets can be purchased at the Dodge Arena Box Office and all RGV Ticketmaster outlets.

ON THE AIR

Every Killer Bees game is broadcast live on Real Country KBUC 102.1 FM. The team provides free online streaming of radio broadcasts on www.killerbeehockey.com.

CHL TV

The new CHLTV, powered by Insinc Netcasting, gives fans the chance to watch every CHL game with a $5.95 pay-per-view price. Monthly and season-long packages are also available. Every game is archived so fans can catch up on missed games for $3.95. Season Ticket Holders receive a substantial discount. Visit chltv.insinc.com for more information.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2009


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