Bugs Re-Sign Three
Published on September 22, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA -- The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs announced today that forward Craig Soke, defenseman Jason Basile, and defenseman Travis Bell have been re-signed for the 2004-2005 season, which begins on October 22nd at the CenturyTel Center against the Fort Worth Brahmas. All three players were instrumental in the Mudbugs' success last season and bring the team's total number of re-signed players to seven.
Craig Soke (SOH-kee) enters his second season with the franchise after a rookie campaign which saw him nominated for CHL Rookie of the Year honors. In 64 games last year, the Spy Hill, Saskatchewan native scored 23 goals and 23 assists and finished tied for third in the league in rookie scoring with 46 points. Soke's goal total of 23 was the second-highest by a Mudbugs rookie in team history. The 5'10" 205 pound forward came to the team last year after four seasons with the University of New Brunswick and is the first forward to be signed by the Mudbugs for the 2004-2005 season.
The team has also announced that Craig Soke will participate in training camp with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, marking the third straight season of the Mudbugs sending players up for camp at the next level of professional hockey. Rochester's training camp begins on September 28th with their first exhibition game taking place on October 2nd.
Defenseman Jason Basile (BAY-zul) returns for his third season with the team after appearing in all 64 games in each of the last two seasons with the Mudbugs. A 26-year-old native of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Basile has recorded 11 goals and 20 assists in his 128 professional games. The 5'8" 185-pound blueliner scored three game-winning goals last season and led the team with four shootout goals.
Second-year defenseman Travis Bell also returns to the team after leading all Mudbugs defensemen in plus-minus (+27) during his rookie campaign. Bell, 25, appeared in 61 games last year and recorded six goals and 13 assists. He joined the Mudbugs after a four-year collegiate career at Cornell University. The Calgary, Alberta native finished third in the CHL in plus-minus among all rookies last year.
"Obviously, these are all key returning players from last year that were huge parts of our success," said Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "Craig Soke proved himself to be an elite player last year and I'm thrilled that he'll have an opportunity in an AHL training camp with Rochester. Basile and Bell provide more stability on our blue line which is so important. I can't say enough about their play since they arrived in Bossier-Shreveport."
Soke, Basile, and Bell join defensemen Quade Lightbody and Wes Blevins, as well as goaltenders Ken Carroll and Jeff Blair as the first seven members of the 2004-2005 Mudbugs squad. On October 22nd, the eighth season of Mudbugs hockey will begin with the home opener against the Fort Worth Brahmas. Season ticket packages and corporate partnerships are currently available by calling 318-752-BUGS or by visiting www.mudbugshockey.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2004
- Dunbar Completes Returning Goaltending Trio - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Voice of the Blazers Retiring After This Season - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Bugs Re-Sign Three - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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