Killer Bees Add Size and Speed

Published on July 22, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, TEXAS --- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League (CHL) today announced that defenseman Matt Smyth (SMITH) and forward Tyler Lehrke (LAR-kee) have signed with the team for the 2010-11 season.

Smyth, 25, joins the Killer Bees after playing the majority of last season with the Corpus Christi IceRays (CHL), where he played in 44 games and notched 15 points (5-10-15) along with 91 penalty minutes (PIM). The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Wiarton, Ontario, resident collected 22 points (6-16-22) and 130 PIM in 60 total games with three different teams in 2009-10.

"The thing that intrigued me most about Matt Smyth was how much he developed last season in Corpus Christi," Killer Bees Head Coach Chris Brooks said. "He was relied on to play in many situations. He is a defenseman that will bring size, grit, and toughness to our blueline."

Smyth, whose brother Adam is a member of the Arizona Sundogs (CHL), has appeared in 224 professional games, producing 52 points (11-41-52) and 420 PIM.

"I'm very excited to come and play in the Valley," Smyth said. "Playing against the Killer Bees for the past three seasons has given me an appreciation for the fans and the city, which are both very supportive. I couldn't be happier."

Lehrke, 24, is a Park Rapids, Minnesota, native who played the last four seasons at Bemidji State University in northern Minnesota. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward appeared in 123 games, producing 46 points (18-28-46) and 61 PIM as a member of the Beavers.

His best season came as a senior in 2009-10 when he scored nine goals and 24 points (9-15-24) in 37 games. Lehrke was a member of the 2008-09 Beavers team that became the first 16th-seed to ever win its way into the NCAA Div. 1 Frozen Four.

"Tyler is a kid that I targeted as soon as our 2009-10 season ended," Brooks explained. "I've seen him play since he was 15. He fits with the culture of our team. He is a smart and hardworking player that has been well coached through junior hockey and college. He wants to play at the highest level he can possibly play at and deciding to play in Rio Grande Valley is the first step in helping him chase his dreams."

Before playing college hockey, Lehrke spent two seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) as a member of the Green Bay Gamblers.

"I am extremely excited to head down south to play for the Killer Bees," Lehrke explained. "They have a first class organization and I want to do everything I can to help the team win and succeed."

The Killer Bees begin their eighth season of play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo on October 15, 2010. Season tickets and corporate partnership opportunities are available now; call 956-843-7825 to find out more.

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Central Hockey League Stories from July 22, 2010


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