Bees Sign Tuomi And Kouba, Place Maxwell On Injured Reserve

December 6, 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 that the team has signed center Michael Tuomi (too-OH-mee) and left wing Ladislav Kouba (KOO-bah) and that left wing Dennis Maxwell has been placed on the 14-day injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 1.

Tuomi, 22, began the season with Pensacola (ECHL) and had four points (3-1-4) and six PIM in 12 games. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Toronto native played his first pro season in 2006-07 with the Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL). He had a tremendous rookie campaign in which he finished among the leaders in several SPHL categories. He played in all 56 regular season games and collected 74 points (31-43-74), finishing seventh in SPHL scoring, sixth in goals, 10th in assists, second in plus/minus (+36) and game-winning goals (8), tied for fourth with 13 power play goals and 12th with 17 power play assists.

Kouba spent last season split between Laredo and Arizona in the CHL and began this season with Wichita. The 24-year-old native of Vimperk, Czech Republic, appeared in 53 games and had 32 points (16-16-32). He also added four points (3-1-4) in 14 playoff games with Arizona. Kouba was a member of the 2006 President's Cup Champion Laredo Bucks and put up 53 points (26-27-53) in 61 games that season. In the 2006 playoffs, Kouba proved to be a pest against the Bees as he scored six goals in the opening round including three first-goals. In one game vs. Rio with Arizona last season he notched a goal and two assists and again scored the first goal of the game.

"We need to generate more scoring opportunities and we believe the addition of these two players will help address that issue," said Killer Bees Head Coach Paul Fixter.

Maxwell missed last Sunday's game vs. Youngstown with an undisclosed injury. He currently leads the team in scoring (7-14-21) and will be eligible to return to the lineup on Dec. 14.

The Bees host Arizona on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and then travel to Austin to face the Ice Bats on Saturday night. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to participate in the annual Teddy Bear Toss on Friday night.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2007


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