Sports stats



Bees add O'Leary and Joseph, promo schedule unveiled

September 26, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Hidalgo, Texas --- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League today announced the signings of left wing Mark O'Leary and winger Marlon Joseph. The team also released details of its promotional and giveaway calendar for the 2007-08 Fifth Anniversary Season.

"We're looking for both Mark and Marlon to build off their experience as first year players as they continue to progress as young professionals," said Killer Bees Head Coach Paul Fixter. "Both players fulfilled their roles as rookies last season quite well. We expect they'll continue down that path and further contribute to the offense this season."

O' Leary, 22, is an Owen Sound, Ontario, native who appeared in 48 games for the Bees in 2006-07. He collected 11 points (6-5-11) and 68 PIM. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound winger played junior hockey in the in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Guelph Storm and Mississauga IceDogs prior to joining the Bees. Overall, he appeared in 182 OHL games, compiling 51 points (18-33-51) and 242 PIM.

Joseph, 22, joined the Bees in mid-February of last season after beginning 2006-07 with the Tulsa Oilers. All totaled, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Winnipeg native posted 18 points (5-13-18) and 146 PIM in 52 games. Before turning pro, Joseph played three seasons of Junior A hockey in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL). In 105 games with the Miramichi Timberwolves and Yarmouth Motormart Mariners, he averaged almost a point per game (50-53-103) and 323 PIM.

"Mark's commitment both on and off the ice is extraordinary," explained Fixter. "And Marlon brings a spirited presence to the rink every day and has an on-ice persona to match."

Promotional Schedule

The Killer Bees also unveiled the promotional and giveaway schedule for the 2007-08 season.

Highlights include opening night (Friday, Oct. 19) when the first 1000 adults will receive Killer Bees jerseys courtesy of Q94.5 FM The Rock, Fox Rio 2 and San Juan Pharmacy. "This is the first time we've offered jerseys as a premium giveaway to our adult fans," said Killer Bees General Manager Grant Buckborough. "We'll also have two kid's jersey giveaways (January 5 and March 15) but this year we wanted to say thanks to our older fans right off the hop."

Other premium giveaways include Killer Bees BBQ aprons (Nov. 3), Christmas stockings (Dec. 7), fleece blankets (Feb. 2), collectable goalie masks (Feb. 23) and wall clocks (March 8).

Fans will want to mark their calendars for Friday, January 4 and Saturday, January 5, as the Bees celebrate five years of hockey in the Rio Grande Valley with "Five at the Hive Weekend." On Friday night, the first 1000 fans will receive player figurines featuring the top 5 most popular players as selected via online fan voting. Then, on Saturday night, the Bees will honor those five players (those available will be in attendance) in a pre-game ceremony as the Bees host the defending President's Cup champion Colorado Eagles. There will also be other surprises for that night to be announced at a later time.

The Bees will host several $1.50 beer nights throughout the season, as well as several specialty jersey auctions to benefit the Killer Bee Foundation and youth hockey in the Valley.

"We try to outdo ourselves every year," said Buckborough. "With the giveaway items we have planned, all of the Fifth Anniversary festivities, and the 27 weekend dates we have at home, this is by far the best mix we've had yet."

The entire promotional schedule is listed below.

2007-08 Promotion and Giveaway Schedule*

Friday, October 19th 1,000 Jerseys (adults)/2,500 T.Fans

Friday, October 26th 5,000 Magnet Schedules

Saturday, October 27th 2,500 Thunder Fans, $

Friday, November 2nd 2,000 Hand Clackers

Saturday, November 3rd 1,500 Killer Bee Aprons

Friday, November 9th 2,500 Thunder Fans

Sunday, November 11th 2,500 Thunder Fans

Friday, November 16th 2,500 Team Posters

Saturday, November 17th 2,500 Kazoo's, Specialty Jerseys, $

Wednesday, November 21st 2,500 Thunder Fans

Friday, November 30th 1,000 Baseball Hats

Sunday, December 2nd 2,500 Thunder Fans

Friday, December 7th 1,000 Killer Bee X-Mas Stockings

Friday, December 28th 1,000 Pillow Cases

Saturday, December 29th 2,500 Thunder Fans, $

Friday, January 4th 1,000 5th Anniversary Player Figurines, +

Saturday, January 5th 1,000 Youth Jerseys, 5th Anniversary/Specialty Jerseys, +

Tuesday, January 8th 2,500 Thunder Fans

Friday, January 11th 2,500 Thunder Fans

Saturday, January 12th 1,000 Game Pucks

Friday, February 1st 1,000 T-Shirts

Saturday, February 2nd 1,000 Fleece Blankets

Tuesday, February 12th 2,500 Thunder Fans

Saturday, February 16th 1,000 Picture Frames

Friday, February 22nd 2,500 Team Posters

Saturday, February 23rd 1,000 Collector Goalie Masks, Specialty Jerseys, $

Wednesday, March 5th KIDS DAY GAME

Saturday, March 8th 1,000 Wall Clocks

Friday, March 14th Player Cards

Saturday, March 15th 1,000 Youth Jerseys

Wednesday, March 19th 2,500 Thunder Fans

Saturday, March 22nd 1,000 Bud Light Hats, Specialty Jerseys, $

$ 1.50 Beer All Night

+ Fifth Anniversary Weekend

*Giveaways subject to change without notice

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central