Killer Bees Re-Sign Linna

Published on July 21, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees have another member of their inaugural squad rejoining the team, as the Central Hockey League squad has re-signed forward Troy Linna for the 2004/2005 season.

"I love the way Troy plays," said Killer Bees Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Tracy Egeland. "His style of play is entertaining and I look for him to build on the numbers he produced for us last season."

The hard hitting Linna (leh-nuh) played in all 64 games last season and became a part of hockey history by recording the first goal in Killer Bees history, which resulted in the puck and the used stick sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The Winthrop Harbor, Illinois native scored 16 goals and contributed 18 assists for 34 points last season with the Bees. Linna led the team in goals for the month of October (3) and co-led the team in goals for the month of February (7). The 25 year-old led the team in shootout goals with 7 and co-led the Bees with 4-game winning goals and with a three-game goal scoring streak. He was voted by his teammates as the "Unsung Hero," claiming the award at the team's post season awards banquet. The 6'1" 180-pound forward joined the Killer Bees last season after playing three seasons in El Paso, where he amassed 40 goals and 63 assists for 103 points in 180 games. Linna posted 35 points off of 9 goals and 26 assists in 67 games during his rookie campaign in 00/01. He followed that season with 22 points (8g,14a) in 01/02 and posted solid numbers in the playoffs with 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in 11 games, as the Buzzards lost out to the Austin Ice Bats in the CHL Western Conference Finals. Linna wrapped up his El Paso career posting career high numbers in 02/03 with 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points. The 23 goals ranked tied for second on the squad and the 46 points ranked fourth. In his pro career, the four-year pro has tallied 56 goals and 81 assists for 137 points in 244 games.

Prior to turning pro, the 6'1" 180-pound forward played three seasons of junior hockey in US junior leagues. Linna played two seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with Des Moines (97/98), North Iowa (98/99) and Omaha (98/99), and a season in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the Springfield Junior Blues (99/00). He combined for 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points in 79 games over his junior career.

Linna is the seventh player signed for the upcoming season and he joins goaltender Jeff Levy, defensemen Sean Gillam, Derek Holland, Jason Tessier and forwards Bill Newson and Ryan Shmyr. Head Coach Tracy Egeland is available and can be reached for interview by contacting Chris Due with the Killer Bees.

"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 21, 2004


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