Killer Bees Acquire Three-Time All-Star In Trade With Lubbock

Published on July 13, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, TX: July 13, 2004 – The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees made another trade with the Lubbock Cotton Kings today, as the Killer Bees sent defenseman Kevin Mackie and future considerations to Lubbock in exchange for three-time all-star defenseman Derek Holland.

"Mackie was a talented defenseman on our squad last season and I was grateful for the effort he put into our success, but acquiring Holland is an opportunity to make our defense better," said Killer Bees Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Tracy Egeland. "Holland is an offensive-defenseman and brings a style of game the fans here should love. When healthy, Holland is arguably one of the top defensemen in the league and his background proves it."

Holland, a 25 year-old defenseman from Brandon, Manitoba has played in all but two games of his four year career with Lubbock, where he was originally recruited by Egeland, while Egeland was a player/assistant coach with the Cotton Kings. He leaves Lubbock as their all-time leading defenseman in scoring with 34 goals and 102 assists for 136 points in 196 games. Last season, Holland suffered a knee injury early in the season after leading the Kings defensemen in October and November scoring and missed 7 games. He returned in January, but only to suffer a season-ending shoulder injury in January. The injuries prevented a tremendous offensive season for Holland, who ended the year with 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 20 games.

The Cotton Kings acquired the 6'0", 190-pound defenseman prior to the 00/01 season. He began that season in training camp with the Cleveland Lumberjacks, which at the time was the top affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. Once joining the ‘Kings, he led the squad in points by defensemen (8th overall in the league) and goals by defensemen (13), and co-led defensemen with 38 assists. Holland became the only Cotton Kings defenseman to record 5 points (1g,4a) in a game, completing the task against New Mexico (2/25/01), and also tied a 00-01 league single-game high mark in minor penalties in one game with 7. During the playoffs, he was the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) co-leader in rookie scoring by defensemen with 5 points, which ranked 9th overall by defensemen. Holland finished the playoffs co-leading the ‘Kings in goals by defensemen (2) and ranked second amongst 'Kings defensemen in points with 5. He was named the WPHL "Player of the Month" for March with 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points in 12 games played during the month. Holland received several accolades, as he was nominated for the WPHL's "Rookie of the Year," and finished as the 3rd "Best Defensive Forward" on the WPHL's "Best-of-the-Best Poll," and earned a starting spot on the Western Division's all-star roster in the WPHL All-Star Game in Odessa. He became the first ever Cotton King to receive an in-season call-up to a higher league, receiving two call-ups to Cleveland during the 00/01 season. Holland contributed an assist in two games with the Lumberjacks. His rookie season success led to a training camp invitation in 01/02 with the Dallas Stars and Holland appeared in the Stars annual "Black & White" scrimmage before being assigned to the Utah Grizzlies. He eventually returned to Lubbock and finished the season co-leading Central Hockey League (CHL) defensemen with 2 shorthanded goals and was named as a starter to the CHL All-Star Game (Southern Conference Team), where he recorded a goal. Holland became a three-time all-star in 02/03 with Egeland at the helm of Lubbock despite missing 10 games due to an injury. He finished the season with 37 points (7g,30a) in 49 games to rank 19th amongst CHL defensemen.

Holland turned professional after playing five seasons of major juniors in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Holland began his junior career in 95/96 with the Brandon Wheat Kings, where he spent two seasons. He went on to join the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 96/97 season, and played 48 games into the 1997-98 season before being traded to Lethbridge. Holland participated in the Calgary Flames rookie camp before reporting to Lethbridge for the 98/99 season. That season, Holland produced his finest season, finishing as the team leader in points amongst defensemen with 37 points (8g,29a). In Holland's final season, he took an ill-advised check against Red Deer, which resulted in a torn ACL and a partially torn MCL. Holland underwent reconstructive surgery to repair the damage. In 213 junior games, Holland collected 23 goals and 96 assists for 119 points.

Leaving the Killer Bees is defenseman Kevin Mackie, who appeared in all 64 games with the Bees last season. The Victoria, British Columbia native recorded 6 goals and a career high 15 assists for 21 points and is listed in the Bees record books for recording the first goal at the Dodge Arena. Mackie was awarded the "Green Jacket" at the Bees postseason awards banquet for having the team's worse plus/minus rating with a -15.

Head Coach Tracy Egeland is back in the Rio Grande Valley and can be reached in response to the move made. Holland can also be reached for comment by contacting Chris Due with the Killer Bees. Video requests of Holland can be fulfilled by contacting Lubbock television affiliates.

"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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Central Hockey League Stories from July 13, 2004


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