Killer Bees Ink First Rookie

August 7, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release

KILLER BEES SIGN THEIR FIRST ROOKIE

STANDOUT COLLEGE GOALTENDER JACQUE VEZINA JOINS KILLER BEES

HIDALGO, TX: August 7, 2003 â The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League inked their first rookie in franchise history with the signing of goaltender Jacque Vezina (jawk vuh-zee-nuh) for the 2003/2004 season.

"I know several of Vezina's former coaches and general managers and they have all said Vezina was a vital asset to the success of the teams he has played on," said Killer Bees Head Coach Tracy Egeland. "His junior coach (Rikard Gronberg) told me if goalies were permitted to be team captains, then he would have had Vezina serve the honor. I was told he was good enough to play NCAA Division I, but chose to stay close to home and follow in his father's footsteps at NCAA Division III University of Wisconsin â River Falls."

Vezina, a 24 year-old native of Hudson, Wisconsin, comes to the Killer Bees after a stellar college tenure at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls (UWRF). Last season, Vezina patrolled the pipes for 17 games and compiled a 10-6-1 (W-L-T) record and a low GAA of 1.94 and a save percentage of 92.4% to earn first team All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) and All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honors. The psychology major was also named to the NCHA All-Academic team.

The 5'10" 190-pound netminder became UWRF's starting goalie halfway into his freshman season (99/00) and held the position for the season's final 15 games, wrapping up the season with a 12-8-2 record to earn All-NCHA and All-WIAC honorable mention honors. Vezina ranked 9th in the nation his sophomore year (00/01) with a 2.40 GAA and 20th in save percentage with a 90.5% save percentage. He posted a 19-10-2 record and gained first team All-NCHA and ALL-WIAC honors. During his junior season (01/02), Vezina recorded a 16-9-2 record and led the NCHA with a 2.06 GAA (7th in the NCAA). Vezina's combined for a 57-33-7 record, 2.34 GAA, 91.5% save percentage and 10 shutouts in 98 games over his college career at UWRF. He leaves the university holding the school record for shutouts (10), games played by a goaltender in a single season (32 00/01), shutouts in a season (5 01/02), minutes played during a season (1,878 00/01), career minutes played (5,888), while also sharing school records for the lowest career GAA (2.34) and the most games played in net with 98. Vezina also ranks second on the university's all-time list for career wins (57) and career saves (2,476).

Success also followed Vezina through his junior career, as he played two seasons (97/98 â 98/99) of American juniors with the Great Falls Americans of the American West Hockey League (AWHL). The 97/98 AWHL First Team All-Star helped lead the Americans to the 1999 AWHL league championship. Vezina posted a 32-13-3 record and set the league record (since surpassed) for wins (32) and minutes played, while also leading the league in save percentage (91.5%) and with a 2.81 GAA during the 98/99 season to earn league MVP honors. Over his career in Great Falls, he won 41 games in 66 appearances with a 2.81 GAA and a 91.6% save percentage.

Vezina is the ninth player signed by the Killer Bees, as he joins goaltender Jeff Levy, forwards Jason Abel, Troy Linna and Bill Newson, and defensemen Sean Gillam, Kevin Mackie, Darcy Smith and Jason Tessier. With less than 25 professional games played, Vezina is classified as a rookie/developmental player. CHL guidelines require all teams to carry at least three rookie/developmental players on the roster at all times. Head coach Tracy Egeland is available for interview, which can be arranged by contacting the Killer Bees office. Video requests of Vezina can be made by contacting UWRF SID Jim Thies at (715) 425-3846. Additional information on Vezina can be attained by contacting Chris Due with the Killer Bees.

Central Hockey League Stories from August 7, 2003

Rayz Add Depth to Roster - Corpus Christi IceRays
Kings Ink Offense: Former Canisius Star to Wear Blue and Gold for 2003-2004 Season - Lubbock Cotton Kings
Rayz Announce Off-Season Moves - Corpus Christi IceRays
Killer Bees Ink First Rookie - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
Great Scott - San Angelo Saints

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