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Bees Hand Out End of Year Awards

March 22, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, TX: March 22, 2005 – Monday night, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League presented their season ending awards in front of an over-flow crowd at the McAllen Civic Center in a joint banquet with the Outback Steakhouse Jr. Bees Youth Hockey Program end of the season banquet.

Bill Newson and Darcy Smith both claimed two honors during the event. Newson, a second year Bees forward, was announced as the team's "Most Valuable Player" and was also voted as a "Co-Fan Favorite" joining Bees penalty minute leader Ryan Shmyr. A native of Enfield, CT, Newson played in all 60 games with the Bees and led the team in scoring with 57 points. Smith claimed the team's "Unsung Hero" honor and the "Community Service Leader" for all the effort he put forth towards community services around the Rio Grande Valley. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native finished the season with 2 goals and 10 assists for a career best 12 points.

Jason Hawes was recognized as the team's "Most Improved Player." He finished the season with a career best 34 points off of 10 goals and 24 assists to pass his totals of 23 points last season. A native of Perth, Ontario, Hawes had the second longest point streak for the Bees this season with a six-game point streak (2/12 - 2/23).

Daymen Bencharski took home the "Rookie of the Year" award after spending his first season with the Bees. The Ohio State product, who began the season in England, registered 12 goals and 8 assists for 20 points in 55 games with the Bees. Five of his 12 goals were tallied against Corpus Christi this season and nine were on the road to rank him second on the squad in goals scored on the road.

The Killer Bees "Defenseman of the Year" award for a second consecutive season was given to defenseman Jason Tessier. Tessier, who was a the Bees only All-Star member, racked up 37 points with 10 goals and 27 assists to rank 10th in the league amongst defenseman (ranked 10th last season as well). He also ranked 4th amongst CHL defensemen in shots with 193 just as he did last season.

Killer Bees Head Coach Tracy Egeland served as the awards presenter and closed the awards ceremony by presenting a "Volunteer Unsung Hero" to Donnie Herron for his volunteering to assist the team. Herron spends countless hours assisting youth hockey practices, loading the team bus and also serves as the color commentator on Killer Bees televised broadcasts. Bees Dir. of Broadcasting/Media Relations Chris Due also presented organizational "Volunteer of the Year" awards to David Duff and Howard Adams for their roles in the growth and development of hockey in the Rio Grande Valley.

Most of the Killer Bees are now making their way back to their offseason homes and some of the Bees are sticking around and enjoying the off-time.

Coach Egeland now converts back as a full-time recruiter and starts the recruiting process for next season. Additional information on the Killer Bees can be found by visiting their website at www.killerbeehockey.com or by calling their offices at 956-843-7825.

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