Bees Stock Up In Net

Published on September 4, 2008 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) today announced that the team will have three goaltenders in training camp, which begins October 6. The team has signed Christian Boucher, Wylie Rogers and Bill Zaniboni to compete for a pair of goaltending roster slots on the 2008-09 squad.

Boucher, 24, played three seasons of NCAA hockey at Division 1 Robert Morris University in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While a member of the Colonials, he appeared in 87 games, posting a 34-42-8 record along with a 3.32 GAA and .898 save percentage. He helped lead the team to the CHA (College Hockey America) title game in 2007 and made a season-high 45 stops in the 5-4 overtime loss to Alabama-Huntsville. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound netminder grew up in Orleans, Ontario.

Rogers, 26, spent the last four seasons at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. As a rookie in 2004-05, he earned the team's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Awards, as well as being named to the CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) All-Rookie Team after going 15-12-4 with a 2.88 GAA and .906 save percentage. He set the school record for highest save percentage in a season (.918) during his sophomore campaign and was a three-time CCHA Goalie of the Week over the course of his junior and senior seasons. The 5-foot-10, 192-pound Fairbanks native turned pro with the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies last season after completing his college eligibility.

Zaniboni, 26, split last year between the Arizona Sundogs and Wichita Thunder. He began the season with Arizona and appeared in 22 games before being traded to Wichita on January 29. Overall, his pro stats include 40 games, a 15-15-3 record, 3.56 GAA and a .901 save percentage. The Plymouth, Mass., native played three seasons of college hockey at Northern Michigan University prior to entering the pro ranks. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, he is the largest of the three goaltender signees.

"These three goaltenders are players that I'm confident will challenge each other to make our team better," Killer Bees Head Coach Chris Brooks explained. "It's up to them to dictate who fits where on the team. We've got three young guys who are hungry and want to advance their pro careers. All three know the starting job is available for them."

The Bees open their sixth season at Dodge Arena on October 18 vs. the Rocky Mountain Rage. Season tickets are available now by calling 956-843-PUCK (7825).

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



Central Hockey League Stories from September 4, 2008


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