Bucks Re-Sign CHL Legend Bes

Published on September 16, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced at a press conference Wednesday that they have re-signed the Franchises' All-Time leading scorer Jeff Bes for the 2009-10 season, his seventh with the team The announcement was made to the media and a number of fans at a press conference at the Whataburger location in front of the LEC.

Bes, who makes his home in Laredo in the off season, will also enter his fourth season as the team's Assistant Coach.

The 36-year old Bes is a two-time CHL Regular Season MVP ('04, '08), 2003-04 CHL scoring champion, 2006 CHL playoff MVP, three-time CHL All-Star ('04, '06, '08), 2006 All-Star Game MVP, a five-time CHL player of the week, as well as a one-time CHL player of the month (January 2004).

"Jeff Bes is one of the top players in the league, he's performed at a high level every single year," said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. "He's been working very hard to get back from his injury; I expect to see him not miss a step this year."

"I'm ready to go again this season, I can't wait to get back on the ice," said Bes. "I love playing in Laredo, and I want to win another championship here."

Bes enters the 2009-10 season at the top of the Bucks record books. He is the Bucks all-time leading scorer with 510 points, all-time leader in assists with 330, and number one in all-time goals scored with 180. In addition, he is second on the Bucks all-time games played list with 334, behind long-time teammate Serge Dube (381).

The Tillsonburg, Ontario native is among the CHL's All-Time leaders as well, ranking 15th in career points, and 17th in career assists.

Bes enters this season with 915 points in 803 career games.

Bes' 2008-09 season was cut short due to a season-ending injury he suffered January 26th at Bossier-Shreveport. Bes still put up 60 points in 39 games (14-46=60), and was leading the CHL in scoring at the time of his injury.

In 2007-08 Bes captured his second regular season CHL MVP award and his third CHL All-Star selection, as he eclipsed the 100-point mark for the second time in his CHL career with 106. Bes broke the Bucks single season record for most goals with 46, to go along with 60 assists.

During the 2008 playoffs Bes scored three goals, with nine assists for 12 points.

As far as single-season Bucks records goes, Bes has claimed many of those as well. He is first in single season goals with 46 in 2007-08, first in single-season assists with 78 in 2003-04, first in single-season points with 117 also in 2003-04.

"We know we can count of Jeff for big goals all throughout the year. He's been a constant for us here in Laredo."

Bes has always performed in the postseason as well, having been a major part of the Bucks two championship teams. In 79 career postseason games, Bes has scored 42 goals with 57 assists for 99 points, to go along with 14 power-play goals, 26 power-play assists, five short-handed goals, and 12 game-winning goals. In the 2006 CHL playoffs Bes was unstoppable, scoring 11 goals, with 20 assists, for 31 points, including six power-play goals, nine power-play assists, and five game-winning goals, picking up the Playoff MVP award while leading the Bucks to their second CHL President's Cup Championship.

In Bes' first season in Laredo he captured the 2003-04 CHL Regular Season MVP, netting 39 goals, with 78 assists, for 117 points, including 16 power-play goals, 37 power-play assists, and six game-winning goals. In only his third game as a Buck, Bes handed out five assists in Laredo's 7-2 win in Corpus Christi.

Bes, who has Veteran status playing in 803 professional games, turned pro during the 1992-93 season with the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL. He was selected in the third round (58th overall) by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. The 2009-10 season will be Bes' 18th as a pro. He has played in six pro leagues for 16 different teams. Bes is the first Buck who has Veteran Status for this season.

This will be Bes' fourth year as a player/assistant for Ruskowski.

"Jeff has done a great job as our assistant coach. He helps me out tremendously, and he will make a good head coach someday."

Bes is the 20th Buck signed this off-season, including the fourth to re-sign from last year's team.

The Bucks will open their eighth season in the Gateway City on October 24th at the LEC, and will host the 2010 CHL All-Star Game January 13th. For ticket information call 718-BUCK (2825).

*2009-10 Bucks Signed Players (In order of Announced Signing)*

*Matt McKeown-Forward- 6'0, 195lbs-Niagra Falls, ON- DOB: 1/16/85 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 22 Games, 3 Goals, 8 Assists, 11 Points

Last Team: Fredonia State University (NCAA)

*Drew Kivell- Defense- 6'2, 225lbs- Lakeside, ON- DOB: 2/4/83 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 38 Games, 2 Goals, 10 Assists, 12 Points

Last Team: Lakehead University (CIS)

*Cody Hamilton- Defense- 6'2, 200lbs- Lucknow, ON- DOB: 5/23/87 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 39 Games, 1 Goal, 5 Assists, 6 Points

Last Team: Tulsa Oilers (CHL)

*Tomas Sample- Defense- 6'2, 200lbs- Barrie, ON- DOB: 1/6/87 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: Did not play. 06-07 Stats: 27 Games, 4 Goals, 9 Assists, 13 Points

Last Team: Sarnia Sting (OHL, 06-07)

*Jarred Mohr- Defense- 5'11, 190lbs- Regina, SASK- DOB: 1/13/85 (4th Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 63 Games, 3 Goals, 18 Assists, 21 Points, 52 PIM's

Last Team: Rocky Mountain Rage (CHL)

*David Croteau- Forward- 5'10, 175lbs- Gatineau, Que. - DOB: 7/15/83 (3rd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 17 Games, 24 Goals, 29 Assists, 53 Points, 109 PIM's

Last Team: HC Mulhouse (France)

*Blair Hawes- Forward- 6'0, 200lbs- Selkirk, MAN- DOB: 7/22/88 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 62 Games, 17 Goals, 46 Assists, 63 Points, 108 PIM's (MJHL All-Star)

Last Team: Selkirk Steelers (MJHL)

*Ian Clarke- Defenseman- 6'0, 215lbs- Saskatoon, SASK- DOB: 10/20/88 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 49 Games, 5 Goals, 9 Assists, 14 Points, 177 PIM's

Last Team: Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL)

*Dustin Slade- Goaltender- 5'11, 200lbs- Penticton, BC- DOB: 2/28/06 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: Did not play

Last Team: Halifax Wolverines (MJAHL, 06-07)

*Gerry Festa- Goaltender- 5'10, 180lbs- Calgary, AB- DOB: 1/18/84 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 12 Games, 3-4-2 Record, 2.62 G.A.A, .916 sv. %, 1 SHO

Last Team: University of British Columbia

*Neil Trimm- Forward- 6'2, 200lbs- Westmeath, ON- DOB: 2/18/83 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 60 Games, 17 Goals, 27 Assists, 44 Points, 14 PIM's

Last Team: New Mexico Scorpions (CHL)

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

08-09 Stats: 64 Games, 19 Goals, 16 Assists, 35 Points, +17

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Justin Styffe- For.- 5'10, 180lbs-Okanagan Falls, BC: DOB:10/14/84 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 60 Games, 6 Goals, 9 Assists, 15 Points, 223 PIM's

Last Team: Flint Generals (IHL)

*Alexander Eaton- Forward- 6'3, 200lbs- Toronto, ON: DOB: 7/2/85 (1st Year Pro)

08-09: Did Not Play

Last Team: Tillsonburg Vipers (OHA Sr.)

*Adam Rivet- Defenseman- 6'0, 190lbs- Fort Erie, ON: DOB: 9/25/80 (5th Year Pro)

08-09- 63 Games, 13 Goals, 26 Assists, 39 Points, 79 PIM's

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Ryan Salvis- Forward- 6'0, 190lbs- Toronto, ON: DOB: 3/27/84 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 54 Games, 13 Goals, 26 Assists, 39 Points

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Dan Spence- Goaltender- 6'0, 190lbs- Langley, BC: DOB: 1/17/88 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: (With Sarnia) 54 Games, 29-19-6 record, 2.78 G.A.A, .914 sv. %

Last Team: Sarnia Sting (OHL)

*Maxime Lincourt- Forward- 6'1, 200lbs- Montreal, Que: DOB: 5/5/87 (3rd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 70 Games, 24 Goals, 29 Assists, 53 Points

Last Team: Flint Generals (IHL)

*Nick Klaren- Defenseman- 6'1, 200lbs- N. St. Paul, MN: DOB: 6/12/84 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 28 Games, 8 Goals, 19 Assists, 27 Points

Last Team: University of Wisconsin- Stout (NCAA D-III)

*Jeff Bes- Forward- 6'0, 195lbs- Tillsonburg, ON: DOB: 7/31/73 (18th Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 39 Games, 14 Goals, 46 Assists, 60 Points

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 16, 2009


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