Bucks Add Two More Rookies, Hopfe And Pawelec Sign

Published on September 8, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Monday that they have signed rookies Brett Hopfe (Hop-fee) and Jordan Pawelec (Poe-EL-ick) for the 2008-09 season. Hopfe, a forward, spent the last four seasons playing for Robert Morris University (NCAA), while Pawelec, a defenseman, played the last two seasons with the SJHL's Yorkton Terriers.

Hopfe will be reunited with his college teammate Jeff Gilbert, who signed with the Bucks earlier this summer.

In his four-year college career with the Colonials, Hopfe, a native of Didsbury, Alberta, scored 27 goals, with 31 assists, for 58 points in 127 games.

"Hopfe has good size, he drives to the net hard. I like his game", said Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski.

Last season the 6'1, 220 pound Hopfe scored five goals, with five assists for 10 points in 30 games as a senior with the Colonials, which also included 64 penalty minutes.

Hopfe's most productive offensive season came when he finished second on the team in scoring in his Sophomore year in 2005-06. Hopfe's 25 points in that campaign included a team-leading 13 goals, with 12 assists. Hopfe also led the Colonials with seven multi-point games that season.

"Another good thing about him is that he likes the physical aspect of the game. If he can play like he did in juniors he will be a very successful guy on our team", Ruskowski said.

Hopfe's college career with Robert Morris started off with a hat-trick in his first home game ever with the Colonials, as he garnered the USCHO.com National Offensive Player of the Week award, as well as CHA Offensive Player of the Week honors (10/25/04).

Hopfe had a stellar two-year junior career with the AJHL's Olds Grizzlys, where he captured both the team MVP and Most Popular Player Awards following the 2003-04 season.

In his two seasons combined with the Grizzly's, Hopfe made the All-Star team in each season as he racked up 64 goals, with 57 assists, for 121 points, with 579 PIM's in 118 games.

D-MAN PAWELEC INKS DEAL

Pawelec, from Regina, Saskatchewan, played three junior seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), spending his rookie year with the Melville Millionaires. Pawelec spent the last two with the Yorkton Terriers, where he served as the Team Captain last season.

In his three junior seasons combined the 6'2, 215 Pawelec, was a force, as he piled up 249 penalty minutes, to go along with 17 goals, 49 assists, and 66 points.

"Pawelec moves the puck well, he is a rough player. His game is exactly what I want from a guy like him", Ruskowski said.

Last season with the Terriers, Pawelec notched a career high with 111 penalty minutes, while putting up three goals, 17 assists for 20 points in 58 games.

Pawelec's first season with Yorkton in 2006-07 turned out to be his best offensive year, when he scored 10 goals, handed out 22 assists for 32 points, in 54 games played. In addition to his 32 points, he picked up 99 penalty minutes.

"He's going to have to show me what he can do during training camp, so he can make the roster", Ruskowski said.

With Melville in 2005-06 Pawelec knocked in four goals, with 10 assists for 14 points, in 54 games played with the Millionaires.

Hopfe and Pawelec are the 15th, and 16th players officially signed by the Bucks this off-season. Thus far 11 rookies four returnee's (Team Captain Serge Dube, Steve Weidlich, Igor Agarunov, and Matt Summers), plus CHL returnee Sebastien Centomo make up Laredo's roster.

The Bucks, who start training camp on October 6th, will open their seventh CHL season at the LEC on October 17th against the Rocky Mountain Rage.

Season ticket prices stayed the same as they were last season, starting at just $34 a month (including playoffs). Call 718-BUCK (2825), or visit the LEC to speak to a Bucks ticket representative.

*2008-09 Bucks Signed Players (In order of Announced Signing)*

*Ryan Gibb-Goaltender- 5'11, 195lbs-Toronto, ON- DOB:6/29/85 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 19 Games, 11-7, 9.22 SV%, 2.86 G.A.A, 1 SHO

Last Team: Queens University (CIS)

*Jeff Gilbert-Defenseman- 5'11, 211lbs-Barrie, ON- DOB: 5/31/83 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 27 Games, 2 Goals, 6 Assists, 8 Points, 61 PIM's

Last Team: Robert Morris University (NCAA)

*Devin Featherstone- Defenseman- 6'1, 211lbs- Calgary, AB- DOB: 1/11/85 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 28 Games, 2 Goals, 9 Assists, 11 Points, 91 PIM's

Last Team: University of Lethbridge (CIS)

*Matt Summers- Forward- 6'2, 195lbs- Savage, MN- DOB: 7/15/86 (2nd Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 57 Games, 12 Goals, 23 Assists, 35 Points

Last Team: BUCKS

*Mike Richard- Forward- 5'9, 210lbs- LaSalle, Que.- DOB: 9/14/83 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 31 Total Games (2 pro), 10 Goals, 33 Assists, 43 Points

Last Team: Elmira Jackals (2 Pro games), Elmira College (NCAA)

*Shaun Norrie- Forward- 6-3, 200lbs- Calgary, Alberta- DOB: 9/15/82(1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 28 Games, 9 Goals, 11 Assists, 20 Points, 71 PIM's

Last Team: University of Lethbridge (CIS)

*Steve Weidlich- Defenseman- 6'2, 210lbs, Edmonton, Alberta- DOB: 1/23/81 (7th Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 28 Games, 3 Goals, 9 Assists, 12 Points, 87 PIM's

Last Team: BUCKS

*Igor Agarunov- Forward- 6'1, 200lbs, Grand Forks, Brittish Columbia- DOB: 3/19/83 (5th Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 58 Games, 9 Goals, 13 Assists, 22 Points

Last Team: BUCKS

*Kevin Hurley- Forward- 6'3, 210lbs, Kitchener, Ontario- DOB: 5/14/83 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 28 Games, 13 Goals, 21 Assists, 34 Points, 64 PIM's

Last Team: University of Waterloo (CIS)

*Erick Lizon- Forward- 6'4, 210lbs, Kitchener, Ontario- DOB: 11/29/95 (3rd Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 23 Games, 2 Goals, 3 Assists, 5 Points, 67 PIM's

Last Team: Oklahoma City (CHL)

*Ryan Fuller- Forward- 6'3, 215lbs, Morgan Hill, California- DOB: 11/4/87 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 58 Games, 10 Goals, 18 Assists, 28 Points

Last Team: Texas Tornado (NAHL) **NAHL Top Prospect**

*Serge Dube- Defenseman- 5'11, 205lbs, Sudbury, Ontario- DOB: 8/13/79 (7th Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 57 Games, 9 Goals, 37 Assists, 46 Points **CHL All-Star**

Last Team: BUCKS

*Joey Moggach- Forward- 5'7, 165lbs, Brandon, Manitoba- DOB: 7/13/85 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 28 Games, 2 Goals, 9 Assists, 11 Points

Last Team: Bemidji State University (NCAA)

*Sebastien Centomo- Goaltender- 6'1, 200lbs, Laval, Quebec- DOB: 3/26/81 (8th Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 33 Games, 18-9-3, 2.51 G.A.A, .915 SV %, 3 Shutouts **CHL All-Star**

Last Team: Mississippi Riverkings

*Brett Hopfe- Forward- 6'1, 210lbs, Didsbury, Alberta- DOB: 9/7/83 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 30 Games, 5 Goals, 5 Assists, 10 Points

Last Team: Robert Morris University (NCAA)

*Jordan Pawelec- Defensman- 6'2, 215lbs- Regina, Saskatchewan- DOB: 8/16/87 (1st Year Pro

07-08 Stats: 58 Games, 3 Goals, 17 Assists, 20 Points, 111 PIM's

Last Team: Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)

*Bucks Night Out*

The Bucks will hold their first ever "Night Out" at the LEC on September 18th from 5-9pm in the Club Level of the LEC.

This is the first time ever that fans will be allowed in the arena to watch the laying of the ice on the floor.

At the "Night Out" fans can talk hockey with Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski, as well as Bucks players.

There will be FREE FOOD, AND BEVERAGES available.

*Bucks Looking For Off-Ice Officials*

The Bucks are looking for off-ice officials for the 2008-09 season. If you are interested please e-mail Zach Sepesi at zsepesi@yahoo.com.

*Bucks Season Ticket Referral Program*

For every new season ticket that is purchased from a referral, the current season ticket holder that referred them will receive a $25.00 gift certificate to the Bucks team store. There is NO LIMIT to the amount of referrals that an existing season ticket holder can make.

For example, if a current season ticket holder refers a person who buys four new seats for the 2008-09 season, they will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Bucks team store.

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 8, 2008


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