Killer Bees Create Even More Buzz

July 31, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release

KILLER BEES CREATE EVEN MORE BUZZ

ALL-STAR DEFENSEMAN JASON TESSIER JOINS KILLER BEES

HIDALGO, TX: July 31, 2003 â The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League are excited to welcome the addition of defenseman Jason Tessier to the roster for the 2003/2004 season.

"Jason is one of the best young offensive minded defenseman in the league," said Killer Bees Head Coach Tracy Egeland. "I'll be utilizing him to quarterback the powerplay since he is an offensive minded defenseman. He fits in very nice with the defensemen we have signed, and he brings durability only missing one game in his entire pro career."

Tessier (teh-see-ay), a 23 year-old hailing from Saint Jerome, Quebec, comes 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 has played his entire three year professional career in El Paso, and was a teammate of Killer Bees forward Troy Linna and goaltender Jeff Levy 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 has 25 goals and 101 assists for 126 points in 197 pro games over his career to rank third on El Paso's all-time list for points by defenseman. Since the merger of the WPHL and CHL (prior to the 01/02 season), Tessier has recorded 91 points to rank second in overall Buzzards scoring under the CHL tag. Tessier has showed durability over his pro career by only missing one game in his career, which came during his rookie campaign.

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 â 99/00) and combined for 12 goals and 34 assists for 46 points in 164 games.

Tessier's signature on the contract places eight names on the Killer Bees roster, as he joins goaltender Jeff Levy, forwards Jason Abel, Troy Linna and Bill Newson, and defensemen Sean Gillam, Kevin Mackie and Darcy Smith. Head coach Tracy Egeland is available for interview, which can be arranged by contacting the Killer Bees office. Video requests of Tessier can be made by contacting El Paso affiliates. Additional information on Tessier can be attained by contacting Chris Due with the Killer Bees.

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