Bucks Expected To Have New Division Rival Soon
Published on June 11, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
PHOENIX, AZ-The Laredo Bucks, as well as the rest of the Central Hockey League should soon find out how the 16-active teams will be aligned for the 2008-09 season. The CHL, in conjunction with Global Entertainment, are holding their annual summer conference this week, starting Wednesday night in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to the league's re-alignment, the Rapid City Rush will hold their expansion draft at this year's conference.
The Central Hockey League as a whole, especially Laredo and Rio Grande Valley, breathed a sigh of relief earlier this week with the return of the Corpus Christi Rayz after a one-week hiatus.
Last week (June 2nd) the CHL announced that 15-teams would play during the 2008-09 season starting on October 17th, which will be the 17th for the league. Monday afternoon (June 9th) Corpus Christi held a press conference to announce that a new ownership group has taken over the team, and that they will play this upcoming season. Monday night a CHL press release confirmed that the Rayz would indeed be the 16th active team for the 2008-09 campaign.
"We would love to see Corpus Christi in our league, of course", said Bucks head coach/GM Terry Ruskowski. "We have a great rivalry with them, and it's always good for the fans when we play each other. Their fans come here, our fans go there, it's great", Ruskowski said. "Not only that it will give us less travel for this coming season as well, it's a great thing for the CHL".
With the Rayz indeed playing in 2008-09, that means there would likely be four divisions with four teams apeice, to make up the now 16-team league. Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, and Corpus Christi would stay in the same division, with a fourth team being added, possibly Texas or Odessa, to become the Bucks, Bees, and Rayz new division rival.
There is also talk that the Southeast Division would just be Laredo, Rio, and Corpus, making it a three-team division.
With the Bucks, Bees, and Rayz once again in the same division, it will cut down travel costs. The Bees are just 149 miles away, with the Rayz 143 miles from Laredo.
"A lot of times if we are just going to Corpus or Rio, it's just a day trip. Leave in the afternoon, and come back after the game", Ruskowski said. "That saves a lot of extra money".
As for the Bucks possible division foes, Texas (located in North Richland Hills) is 416 miles away, and Odessa is 495 miles from Laredo.
"Whether Texas or Odessa is in our division it will start a new rivalry", Ruskowski said. "We will probably play them between eight and 12 times, which means things will get more physical, which will make games more exciting for the fans. We're looking forward to whoever it is", Ruskowski commented.
The CHL office, team owners and governor's will meet about the league's re-alignment at the conference, expansion draft, and other topics, with a formal announcement expected sometime next week.
*RUSH EXPANSION DRAFT FRIDAY*
The newest CHL team, the Rapid City Rush will hold their expansion draft at the CHL conference on Friday. Each CHL team will be required leave four players from their 2007-08 roster unprotected, making them available in the draft. No team can lose more than one player. The Rush will select five players in the draft.
The CHL will hold their annual awards banquet on Saturday night, to honor the best in the league this past season, culminating with the Franchise of the Year honor. The Bucks won Franchise of the Year in their 2002-03 inaugural campaign.
The Bucks are preparing for their seventh CHL season in 2008-09, with season tickets on sale now starting at just $34 a month! Call 718-BUCK (2825) to order yours today!
*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.
2008-09 BUCKS SEASON TICKETS!
Become a Bucks season ticket holder starting at $34 a month! Call a Bucks ticket representative at 718-BUCK (2825)
BUCKS IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule an appearance by a Bucks player, coach, Bucky, or member of the front office staff contact Nicole Kupaks at (956)523-6590, or e-mail her at nkupaks@laredobucks.com.
LISTEN TO BUCKS GAMES LIVE ALL SEASON
All 64 of the Bucks regular-season games, plus any additional post-season games can be heard live all-season on Norteno 1490-AM (KLNT), as well as online at laredobucks.com courtesy of sportsjuice. You can also watch all Bucks games online via the CHL Network.
BECOME A BUCKS CORPORATE PARTNER
Your company can become a vital part of the Laredo Bucks family by reaching our fans with your business message. To create a customized advertising package for your company, contact Donald Thomson at (956) 523-7711, or dthomson@laredobucks.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 11, 2008
- RiverKings Head Coach Resigns - Mississippi RiverKings
- Hartinger Gets Chance To Play In Italy - New Mexico Scorpions
- Eagles Coordinate Efforts With TeamBorsheim.com - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Names New GM - Wichita Thunder
- Bucks Expected To Have New Division Rival Soon - Laredo Bucks
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.
