Bees Obtain ECHL All-Star via Three-Team Trade

Published on October 20, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, TX: October 20, 2004 – Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees made a late trade Tuesday night, involving three Central Hockey League teams, by acquiring the rights of forward Joe Guenther from the Fort Worth Brahmas in return for future considerations. The Brahmas had acquired the rights of Guenther from the Topeka Tarantulas for the rights of Justin Williams. The Killer Bees also announced they have released defenseman Coel Doty, forward Matt Donskov and goaltender Terry Dunbar.

Guenther (gun-ther), a native of West Seneca, New York, is a third year professional that played last season with the Indianapolis Ice of the CHL. He ranked fifth on the squad with 19 goals last season and also contributed 9 assists for 28 points in 51 games. Guenther was waived earlier this week from the ECHL's Augusta Lynx training camp roster. His CHL rights were held by Topeka during the offseason when Indianapolis relocated to Topeka. If Guenther would have made the Lynx squad, it would have been his second season in the ECHL. The 23 year-old began his pro career in the ECHL in 02/03 with the Toledo Storm and played four games before landing with the Baton Rouge Kingfish. Guenther tallied 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points (third on the team) in 51 games with the Kingfish, which led to an appearance in the 2003 ECHL All-Star Game.

The 6'0" 215-pound right winger played junior hockey in his hometown of Buffalo, New York with the Buffalo Lightning of the Ontario Provincial Jr. "A" Hockey League prior to advancing into major juniors with the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Erie Otters. Guenther spent the 00/01 season with the Otters, grabbing 34 goals and 32 assists for 66 points in 68 games, and appeared in five games with the Otters in 01/02 before joining the Toronto St. Michael's Majors for 44 games (23g,21a,44 pts). He combined for 59 goals and 59 assists for 118 points in 117 OHL games in his junior career.

Killer Bees Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Tracy Egeland also made his first camp moves with the release of Coel Doty, Matt Donskov and Terry Dunbar. Doty, a 6'3" 210-pound rookie defenseman from Winnipeg, Manitoba, had an assist and 7 penalty minutes in the three preseason contests. Matt Donskov, the 6'3" 200-pound brother of Anthony, was looking for his first action with the Bees after being placed on the playoff reserve roster last season. He contributed a goal and two assists for three points in the preseason. Dunbar, a 6'2" 200-pound rookie goaltender from Duluth, Minnesota, was on the Bees playoff reserve as well last year and only saw action in one exhibition game this season. He played in the historic 14-0 contest against the Mexico National Team and only faced three shots.

The Bees expect Guenther in their line-up Saturday in Austin for their season opener. With 106 professional games played, he is classified as a developmental/rookie member. Egeland has until 3 p.m. Thursday to tighten his training camp roster to 18 active players, which must include five developmental/rookie classified players and no more than four veterans. With no ice available at the Dodge Arena, the Bees will depart for Austin Thursday and make a pit stop in San Antonio, where they will practice Thursday and Friday.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2004


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.

OurSports Central