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Bucks Re-Sign Two-Time CHL MVP Jeff Bes

September 25, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey league announced at a press conference Thursday that they have re-signed the Franchises' All-Time leading scorer Jeff Bes for the 2008-09 season, his sixth with the team The announcement was made to the media and a large 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 third season as the team's Assistant Coach.

Bes is considered one of the best players in the CHL, and he has plenty of accolades to show for it.

The 35-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 our league, and he has been since he joined us six years ago", said Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski. "Once he is officially signed with us we know we can count on him to be a leader".

"The City of Laredo has embraced the Bucks with open arms, and has for six years", said Bes. "This is the only place I want to play, and I want to help bring the Cup back here this season".

Last season 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. As always Bes was a key special teams player, as he knocked in 16 power-play goals, handed out 24 power-play assists, while scoring two short-handed goals, and handing out three short-handed assists. Bes scored eight game-winning goals last season.

Bes was also named to the All-CHL team last season, as he picked up four hat tricks. Bes had a season high six points, scoring four goals, and handing out two assists in the Bucks 9-3 win over Amarillo at the LEC on October 27th.

During last year's playoffs Bes scored three goals, with nine assists for 12 points.

In his five seasons in Laredo, Bes has put his name at the top of most of the Bucks all-time career and single-season scoring records. He is first in career points with 450, first in career goals with 166, and first in career assists with 284, which puts him tied for 23rd all-time in the CHL. As far as single-season records goes, Bes has claimed many of those as well. He is first in single season goals with 46 last season, first in single-season assists with 78 in 2003-04, first in single-season points with 117 also in 2003-04. Bes is second in single-season power-play goals with 16 last season, and in 2003-04, and second in game-winning goals with eight last season.

"We count on Jeff for a lot of big points, night in and night out", Ruskowski said. "He's one of the big reasons for our success".

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the ice here, we have a lot of unfinished business to take care of from the last two years", Bes said.

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 757 professional games, turned pro during the 1992-93 season with the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL. He was selected in the 3rd round (58th overall) by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. The 2008-09 season will be Bes' 17th as a pro. He has played in six pro leagues for 16 different teams, including in the AHL for the Springfield Falcons in 1995-96. Bes is the second Buck who has Veteran Status for this season, joining Team Captain Serge Dube.

Bes has scored 301 career professional goals, with 545 assists, for 846 points.

"I want to play hockey for as long as I can", Bes said. "I love the game, and the game has been good to me".

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

"Jeff does a great job as a leader, and a teacher to the young guys throughout the years", said Ruskowski. "He will be a great coach after his playing career is over".

"I would like to coach after I'm done playing, I hope I can help the younger guys get better in some way", Bes said.

Bes is the 22nd player officially signed by the Bucks for the 2008-09 season. Laredo's roster consists of 14 rookies, and eight CHL returnee's (Jeff Bes, Team Captain Serge Dube, Steve Weidlich, Igor Agarunov, Adam Rivet, Alex Goupil, Matt Summers, and Sebastien Centomo).

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.

*Bucks Mini-Plans*

The Bucks have announced that they will offer mini-plan packages for the first time ever during the 2008-09 season.

Packages start at $60, and fans can choose from three different plans, the Special Event Package, the Weekend Package, or the Thirsty Thursday Package.

To order yours today call 718-BUCK (2825).

*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)

*Adam Rivet- Defenseman- 6'0, 190lbs- Fort Erie, Ontatio- DOB: 9/25/80 (4th Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 64 Games, 18 Goals, 30 Assists, 48 Points

Last Team: BUCKS

*Ryan Hand- Defenseman- 6'1, 190lbs- Ottawa, Ontario- DOB: 3/14/85 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 40 Games, 1 Goal, 4 Assists, 5 Points, 252 PIM's

Last Team: St. Hyacinthe Top Design (LNAH)

*Alex Goupil- Forward- 5'8, 205lbs- Ottawa, Ontario- DOB: 10/4/83 (5th Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 59 Games, 24 Goals, 19 Assists, 43 Points

Last Team: BUCKS

*Justin Saulnier- Forward- 5'11, 190lbs- Halifax, Nova Scotia- DOB: 4/16/87 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 51 Games, 24 Goals, 43 Assists, 67 Points, 229 PIM's

Last Team: Yarmouth Mariners (MJAHL)

*Jason Dixon- Forward- 5'10, 180lbs- Belle River, Ontario- DOB: 2/21/85 (1st Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 29 Games, 13 Goals, 27 Assists, 40 Points

Last Team: St. Clair College Saints

*Jeff Bes- Forward- 6'0, 190lbs- Tillsonburg, Ontario- DOB: 7/31/73 (17th Year Pro)

07-08 Stats: 64 Games, 46 Goals, 60 Assists, 106 Points **CHL MVP**

Last Team: BUCKS

*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.



Central Hockey League Stories from September 25, 2008


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