Bucks Bring Back Trio of Rivet, Hiebert and Agarunov
September 27, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced today the re-signing of All-Star defenseman Adam Rivet, 2006 All-Star forward James Hiebert, and 2006 Finals hero Igor Agarunov for the upcoming 2007-08 season. The announcements were made to the media and fans at a press conference at Doctors Hospital. The Bucks have re-signed 10 players from last year's squad.
In two seasons with the Bucks Rivet has made a splash, scoring 36 goals, with 58 assists, for 94 points, including 11 power-play goals, 30 power-play assists, one short-handed goal, and eight game-winning goals, in 124 games in Laredo. In 37 playoff games Rivet has tallied four goals, 16 assists for 20 points, including four power-play goals, six power-play assists, and one game winning goal.
"Rivet has been an all-star player for us, he's been a key on our team." said Bucks head coach/GM Terry Ruskowski. "He's an offensive-minded defenseman, a character guy, and most of all a good person."
"I am very happy to be back, I love to win, and I know the fans do to", said Rivet. "Our goal is to win another championship for the fans."
Last season Rivet was named to the Southern Conference All-Star Team. He increased his numbers in every category from his rookie year, playing in all 64 games, tallying 20 goals, with 36 assists, for 56 points, including four game-winning goals. He also performed well on special teams, scoring eight power-play goals, with 21 power-play assists. In the 64 games he played in last season, Rivet scored at least a point in 41 of them. Out of Rivet's four game-winning goals, three of them came in one-goal victories, including an overtime game-winner against Corpus Christi on December 22nd. During the 2007 playoffs Rivet scored three goals, with 10 assists for 13 points, including three power-play goals, five power-play assists, one short-handed goal, and one game-winning goal.
"Rivet is a quiet leader and he can turn games around, he can definitely have another all-star season this year, and we hope he does", Ruskowski said.
In his rookie campaign in 2005-06 Rivet was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team, and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year. He played in 60 regular-season games, scoring 16 goals, with 22 assists for 38 points.
HIEBERT RETURNS FOR FIFTH SEASON IN LAREDO
Hiebert, a 2006 CHL All-Star, returns to Laredo for his fourth full season, and his fifth overall with the franchise. Last season Hiebert played for four teams. He started the year with the Reading Royals (ECHL), before heading to the AHL's Manchester Monarchs, ECHL's Phoenix Roadrunners, and then finally ending his season with the Bucks. Combined in 2006-07, Hiebert played in 67 games, scoring 16 goals, handing out 16 assists for 32 points. He returned to Laredo on March 13th, and then played in six regular season games, scoring two goals with three assists for five points. During the 2007 playoffs Hiebert tallied nine goals, with 10 assists for 19 points, with four of his nine goals of the power-play variety. Hiebert scored the game-winning goal in overtime of game three of the Bucks second round series against Corpus Christi, giving Laredo a 3-0 series lead.
"Hiebert is an exciting, effective player for us. He is a leader on this ice" said Ruskowski. "He's a crash and bang player and goes very hard to the net."
As a Buck, Hiebert has played in 184 regular season games, notching 59 goals, 122 assists for 181 points. On special teams Hiebert has shot in 20 power-play goals, with 35 power-play assists, to go along with three short-handed goals, six short-handed assists, and 12 game-winning goals. In his Bucks playoff career Hiebert has scored 26 goals, with 30 assists for 56 points, including 14 power-play goals, six power-play assists, and five game-winning goals. Hiebert scored the game-winning goal in the Bucks 5-1 game six win in the 2004 CHL President's Cup Finals against Bossier-Shreveport.
"When Hiebert is at the top of his game, not too many people in this league can play with him", Ruskowski said.
Hiebert had his best professional season in 2005-06, putting up career highs in goals (23), assists (52), points (75), power-play goals (10), power-play assists (20), short-handed goals (1), short-handed assists (3), and game-winning goals (4).
'06 FINALS HERO AGARUNOV BACK WITH BUCKS
Agarunov will forever be etched in Bucks history, having scored the cup-winning goal with 2:05 left in game five of the 2006 CHL President's Cup Finals, helping Laredo win the series four-games-to-one, and giving the Bucks their second CHL Championship.
"Iggy is a great kid to be around, he just wants to play hockey and will play where ever we need him to" said Ruskowski. "I put him at left-wing, right-wing, center, defense, it doesn't matter. He will play any of those positions and play them well".
In his three seasons in Laredo Agarunov has played in 170 regular season games, scoring 35 goals, with 38 assists for 78 points, including 11 power-play assists, and five game-winning goals. In his three playoff runs with the Bucks Agarunov has skated in 39 games, scoring three goals, with three assists, for six points, with one game-winning goal, the biggest one of his career--the one to win the '06 Cup.
"Iggy is one of the strongest guys in the league in the corner. When he's at his best the defense can't keep up with him", Ruskowski said. "I have a lot of confidence in him at the point, that's where we are looking to have him this season."
Last season Agarunov had a career year, he played in all 64 regular season games-a career high, he netted 15 goals, 23 assists, for 38 points, including three power-play goals, and 10 power-play assists-all career bests. He recorded at least one point in 29 of the 64 games he played in. In the 2007 postseason Agarunov played in 13 games, handing out one assist.
*BUCKS NOTES*
*Bucks second year All-Star forward Chris Korchinski is expected to suit up for the San Antonio Rampage tomorrow night against the Houston Aeros. Korchinksi was invited to to participate in Rampage camp this week.
*Bucks head coach/GM Terry Ruskowski was at Rampage camp on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
*The returning Bucks players will be in attendance at the Rampage/Aeros game signing autographs for fans.
*Tickets for the Rampage/Aeros game are $5, $10, $15, & $20.
*Bucks fans once again will be able to listen live to all 64 games, and additional playoff games online at www.laredobucks.com, thanks to a new contract between the Bucks and Sportsjuice.com. The Bucks radio home for this season will be announced soon.
The Bucks are preparing for their sixth CHL season, and have re-signed 10 players from last years Southern Conference Championship team. Laredo will begin the 2007-08 season with a three-game road trip, starting October 19th in New Mexico. The home opener is October 26th against division foe Corpus Christi. For ticket information call 718-BUCK.
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- SteelHounds Single Game Tickets Going on Sale on Friday, October 12th - Youngstown SteelHounds
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