CHL Changes Playoff Format, Bucks Salary Cap Raised
June 6, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, Texas - The Central Hockey League has today announced several operational changes implemented for the coming season of play, all ratified by the CHL Board of Governors at meetings during the recently completed Spring Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Various alignment, playoff format and roster regulations scenarios were presented and discussed, resulting in several adjustments for the 2006-2007 season. For more info on 2006-07 Laredo Bucks season tickets log onto www.laredobucks.com or call (956) 718-BUCK (2825).
The CHL will maintain its two conference, four division alignment for the sixth consecutive season. The expansion Arizona Sundogs and New Mexico Scorpions, the latter returning from a one year hiatus, will join the Amarillo Gorillas, Lubbock Cotton Kings and Odessa Jackalopes in the five team Southwest Division. The Southeast Division remains as in 2005-2006, featuring the Austin Ice Bats, Corpus Christi Rayz, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and defending Ray Miron President's Cup Champion. Laredo Bucks.
In the Northern Conference, the expansion Rocky Mountain Rage joins the Colorado Eagles, Oklahoma City Blazers and Wichita Thunder in the Northwest Division, while the Tulsa Oilers shift to the Northeast Division alongside the Bossier Shreveport Mudbugs, Memphis RiverKings and Youngstown SteelHounds.
The post-season field in the CHL has been expanded from eight to 12 teams for the coming season, with the top six clubs in each conference participating in the playoffs. Each of the four regular season division champions will be seeded either first or second in their conference, with the four teams with the next highest point totals in each conference also participating and seeded third through sixth. In the opening round, Seed 1 will play Seed 6, Seed 2 will play Seed 5 and Seed 3 will play Seed 4 in each conference. The highest seeded team who loses in the opening round will still advance to the Conference Semi-Finals and automatically be seeded fourth for the remainder of the Conference playoffs. Following both the Conference Semi-Finals and Conference Finals, the remaining representatives from each conference will play in the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals, with home ice advantage awarded to the club with the best regular season record, regardless of any earlier seeding. All four playoff rounds will feature best-of-seven game formats.
The CHL's roster regulations have also been modified for 2006-2007. Teams are still required to maintain a minimum of five 'developmental' players (128 or fewer professional games played) and can have a maximum of four 'veteran' players. Veteran classification has been altered to include all players with more than 280 games of professional experience, raised from the 260 total used in 2005-2006. Additionally, player compensation has been raised to $10,000.00 per week for up to an 18 man roster.
"We thank our entire Board of Governors for their diligence and efforts in finalizing these operational issues," said CHL President Brad Treliving. "We anticipate another successful year in 2006-2007 as we celebrate our 15th anniversary season."
The CHL will begin celebration of its 15th season of play on October 20th, 2006, welcoming three clubs joining the League in new state-of-the-art arenas for the 2006-2007 season. The expansion Arizona Sundogs (Prescott Valley Convention & Events Center) and Rocky Mountain Rage (Broomfield Event Center) will open new facilities this fall along with the New Mexico Scorpions, returning from a one year hiatus in conjunction with the opening of the Rio Rancho Events Center. The CHL has led all of 'AA' professional hockey in average attendance for the past five consecutive seasons of play.
2006-07 BUCKS SEASON TICKETS
- The Bucks are offering a family four pack of season tickets for $999 for the 2006-07 CHL regular season. For more info contact a Bucks season ticket representative at (956) 718-BUCK (2825).
BECOME A BUCKS BACKER
- Support the Bucks by becoming a Corporate Sponsor. For a complete marketing plan contact the Bucks at (956) 718-BUCKS (2825).
BUCKS IN THE COMMUNITY
- To schedule an appearance by a Bucks player, coach, or member of the front office staff call Nicole Kupaks at (956) 523-6586 or email her at nkupaks@laredobucks.com.
BUCKS HIGHLIGHTS ONLINE
- Listen to audio highlights of the Bucks online at www.laredobucks.com in the multimedia section.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 6, 2006
- RiverKings sign goalie - Mississippi RiverKings
- Scorpions placed in a new division - New Mexico Scorpions
- CHL Changes Playoff Format, Bucks Salary Cap Raised - Laredo Bucks
- Pereira Drafted, CHL Makes Changes, Lubbock remains in Southwest - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- CHL Spring Conference Brings Changes; SteelHounds Remain in Northeast Division - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Central Hockey League Operational Issues Determined for 2006-2007 - CHL
- Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Named CHL Franchise of the Year - CHL
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