Bees sign tough-guy Prusa, acquire rights to D-man in trade

Published on September 5, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Hidalgo, Texas --- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today the signing of forward Jan Prusa (yon PROO-sah), and the acquisition of defenseman Jamie Lovell's (LOVE-ull) rights from the Odessa Jackalopes.

Prusa is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound native of Kladno, Czech Republic, who last played for the St. Georges Express in the Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey (LNAH). The LNAH, previously known as the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League (QSPHL), is a rough and tumble league that features many ex-pros and a handful of former NHL players.

In only 13 games as a member of St. Georges last season, the 23-year-old Prusa collected 51 penalty minutes. The year before, he put up 54 PIM in 17 games with Saguenay Fjord and another 20 minutes in one game for Charlevoix Caron & Guay (CQSHL). In 2003-04, Prusa played 43 games for the Traverse City (Michigan) Explorers in the former Continental Elite Hockey League, a junior league that lasted one season. He collected three assists (0-3-3) and 117 PIM in that time. Prusa also played three seasons in the Czech Repbulic for HC Karlovy Vary before coming to North America.

Lovell, (6-0, 190) was acquired from Odessa in exchange for future considerations. The 24-year-old, Elora, Ontario, native led the Jackalopes in plus/minus last season (plus-22) and one of his two goals was a game-winner (March 25 at Lubbock).

He played one season (1999-00) for the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League and had a goal and an assist in 22 games. He moved on to the University of Guelph (gwelf), where he played 86 games in four seasons (2001-05) and collected 68 points (19-49-68) and 88 PIM.

"Jamie is a good solid D man that can play both ways," said Killer Bees Assistant Coach Sean Gillam. "He led the Jackalopes in plus/minus last season which is impressive for a rookie."

The Killer Bees have announced 14 player transactions and 13 signings so far.

The Killer Bees open up their fourth season of CHL action on the weekend of October 20 and 21, 2006 vs. the Arizona Sundogs. The team will also play a preseason schedule to be announced. Season tickets and corporate sponsorships are available now by calling (956) 843-PUCK. Stay tuned all summer to killerbeehockey.com for the latest news and transactions as they become official!

2006-07 Player Signings

Mathieu Blanchard, G (Development)

Ryan Carrigan, D (Developmental)

Jason Cirone, C (Veteran)

Paul Dejoe, F (Development)

Kurtis Dulle, D (Developmental)

Alexander Hult, C

Juha-Pekka Ketola, C

Dennis Maxwell, F (Veteran)

Bill Newson, F (Veteran)

Jeff Van Nynatten, G (Development)

Emery Olauson, F (Developmental)

Jan Prusa, F (Development)

Jonathan Robert, F (Development)

Veteran - 280 games or more as a pro

Developmental - 128 games or less as a pro, minimum of five per team

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 5, 2006


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