Forward Sean Hughes back with Brahmas
Published on November 14, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth--After averaging only 1.25 goals a game during a four-game losing streak, the Fort Worth Brahmas are desperately seeking offensive output.
Brahmas head coach Todd Lalonde believes he has found just that with Wednesday night's signing of 27-year-old left wing Sean Hughes.
Hughes, who is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is a familiar face to Lalonde, having played 53 regular-season games for the Brahmas last season. He also was on Lalonde's 1998-99 Central Texas Stampede team that set the WPHL all-time record for wins (50) and points (103) on their way to winning the Governor's Cup as regular-season champions.
"Sean Hughes is a young player with a great deal of potential," Lalonde said. "He has put up great numbers each time I've coached him, and I believe is capable of even better production in the years to come.
"He is a big, physical forward who is great in the corners and in front of the net. He can score big goals and win big faceoffs. I expect Sean to major a major contributor immediately.
Hughes will return to Ft. Worth for his second season with the Brahmas. Despite battling through an injury-plagued 2001-02 season that caused him to miss 11 games, Hughes led the team in plus-minus (+14) and tallied 33 points (10 G/23 A).
He was even better in the playoffs, leading the team with three goals, including scoring the Brahmas' only game-winning goal in the team's 4-1 series loss to the eventual CHL champion Memphis RiverKings.
"He's always been one of those guys who steps up in pressure situations, and this losing streak has put us in a pressure situation," Lalonde said. "He'll definitely be a top-six forward, and if he can stay healthy, he could be a 60-point guy for us.
Hughes will be in uniform Friday, when the Brahmas are scheduled to play at 7:35 p.m. against Oklahoma City in the new Ford Center. His first game in Fort Worth will be at 7:05 p.m. Saturday against the Memphis RiverKings, and the Brahmas finish their three-game weekend with a contest against the undefeated Austin Ice Bats at 3 p.m. Sunday in Austin.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The Brahmas will be without the services of tough guy John Murphy for their game Friday night at Oklahoma City and Saturday night versus Memphis. Murphy was suspended by the CHL for two games on Thursday because of his role in several altercations this past Sunday afternoon in the Brahmas 6-0 loss to Bossier-Shreveport. Murphy received a one game suspension for his slashing major penalty on the Mudbugs Willie Hubloo late in the third period. He then received an additional game suspension for an accumulation of game misconduct penalties. Murphy, who leads the CHL with 112 penalty minutes in just eight games played, will be back in the Brahmas lineup on Sunday when the Brahmas travel to Austin to take on the Ice Bats.
Contrary to earlier reports, the Brahmas still maintain the rights to right wing Kyle Reeves. The veteran forward was suspended by the Brahmas last week for unspecified reasons. He has not been released and his rights remain with the Brahmas.
This Saturday night, Nov. 16, the Brahmas will have a special P1 night in conjunction with the highly popular KTCK 1310 The Ticket sports radio station. All fans that show their KTCK "P1" card at the Brahmas box office on Saturday night will receive a ticket to the game, a Brahmas puck, a hot dog, and a coke for just $13.10.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 14, 2002
- Forward Sean Hughes back with Brahmas - Fort Worth Brahmas
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