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CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman Finalist Returns

July 1, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, TX: July 1, 2004 – The names from last season continue to reappear for the upcoming Central Hockey League season, as the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees have re-signed defenseman Jason Tessier for the 2004/2005 season.

"Jason was our top defenseman from December to March," said Killer Bees Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Tracy Egeland. "If he starts this season the way he played in the second half of the season last season, then he will be right up there as the top defenseman in this league."

Tessier (teh-see-ay) posted 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points in 62 games last season with the Killer Bees and was honored as the Killer Bees Defenseman of the Year. His 39 points ranked 10th in the CHL amongst defensemen and he also forced 238 shots to rank 4th amongst league defensemen. "Tess" was a finalist for the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman award and he co-led the squad with a +19 plus/minus rating and was the team's power play points leader (18) and power play assists leader with 14. He led the team's defense in monthly scoring in the month of December (1g,6a,7pts), January (2g,6a, 8pts), February (4g,9a,13pts) and March (1g,4a,5pts). Tessier recorded the first power play goal and game winning goal in franchise history on 10/24/03 and recorded the earliest goal to begin a period (0:20) on 2/6/04. He also holds the Bees single-game individual record for points in a game (4) and co-holds the single-game record for assists in a game with 3, plus/minus (+4) and power play goals in a game (2).

A 24 year-old hailing from Saint Jerome, Quebec, Tessier came to the Killer Bees after three seasons with the El Paso Buzzards. The former Buzzard scored 9 goals and contributed with 29 assists for 38 points last season to rank 16th in scoring amongst Central Hockey League defensemen, leading the Buzzards defense in the category and also ranked tied for third on the squad in assists (29). Tessier endured an all-star season during the 01/02 season with the Buzzards, racking up 12 goals and 41 assists for 53 points to rank fifth in the CHL in scoring amongst defensemen and earning a spot on the Southern Conference roster for the 2002 CHL All-Star Game in Corpus Christi. He also finished the season ranked fourth amongst CHL defensemen in assists (41) and second in power play goals with 7.

The 6'1 205-pound defenseman played three seasons in El Paso, and was a teammate of Killer Bees forwards Troy Linna and Justin Van Parys, goaltender Jeff Levy and now former Bees Mike Rees and Jeremy Vanin while their careers passed through El Paso. Tessier's first season at the pro level was the 00/01 season, as he tacked 4 goals and 31 assists for 35 points with the Buzzards. His 31 assists co-led the squad and his 35 points ranked second among Buzzards defensemen. Tessier had 25 goals and 101 assists for 126 points in 197 games with El Paso to rank third on El Paso's all-time list for points by defenseman. After the merger of the WPHL and CHL (prior to the 01/02 season), Tessier recorded 91 points to rank second in overall Buzzards scoring under the CHL tag. In his overall pro career, he has 36 goals and 129 assists for 165 points in 259 games played (remains one game from vet status) Tessier has showed durability over his pro career by only missing three games in his career.

Before jumping into the pro ranks, Tessier played major-junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Tessier laced the skates with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for three seasons (97/98 – 99/00) and combined for 12 goals and 34 assists for 46 points in 164 games.

Tessier's signature on the contract places five names on the Killer Bees roster, as he joins goaltender Jeff Levy, forward Bill Newson, and defensemen Sean Gillam. Head coach Tracy Egeland and Tessier are currently in Canada, but phone interviews may be arranged by contacting Chris Due at the Killer Bees office.

"The Valley of Bees" will swarm the Dodge Arena again in October, as the Killer Bees are currently preparing for their second season. Season tickets and corporate opportunities are now available by calling the Killer Bees office at (956) 843-7825. For more information concerning Killer Bees hockey, please visit their website at www.killerbeehockey.com.



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