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Killer Bees staff earn awards at CHL spring conference

June 5, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Hidalgo, Texas ---The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees today announced the franchise earned a pair of awards at the Central Hockey League Banquet in Scottsdale, Ariz., this past weekend. The Killer Bees were honored as the CHL's Community Relations Franchise of the Year and earned the Group Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year for the third time in as many seasons.

The franchise was a finalist for Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year, while former Director of Ticket Operations Nathan Reilly was nominated for Ticketing Executive of the Year. Reilly now works in a similar position for the Rocky Mountain Rage.

The team also unveiled a series of transactions, the first made by new head coach Tony Martino. Martino completed a trade with the Rocky Mountain Rage, sending defenseman Clay Plume to the Rage in exchange for forward Vic Pereira. Pereira was previously selected by Rocky Mountain from Lubbock as the fifth pick of the Expansion Draft. The Bees also lost three-year fan favorite Ryan Shmyr to Rocky Mountain in the draft.

Killer Bees Director of Community Relations Jacquie Kurth quickly helped the organization gain an even greater presence throughout the community with countless school, hospital and other visits. Kurth joined the franchise shortly into the 2005-06 season, and immediately increased the team's community awareness and involvement.

"We won this award thanks to the help of the players, former head coach Tracy Egeland, and staff members Rich Bocchini and Phil Gladden," said Kurth. "Tracy and the players were easy to work with, while Rich and Phil helped support my efforts. It truly is a team award."

The ticketing department's hard work saw the Killer Bees play to 90.3% capacity at the 5,500 seat Dodge Arena. The franchise averaged 4,966 fans per game and watched the total attendance rise from 155,130 to 158,930 through 32 regular season home dates.

"It's a great honor to receive this award for the third time consecutively, and it is an award, among others, that our ticketing department will work hard to earn again during the 2006-2007 season," said Killer Bees Director of Ticketing Jennifer Sides. "I would like to thank all of the Killer Bees fans who come to our games and support the team because, without them, we would not be able to achieve such honors as we have this year and in years past."

Community Relations Franchise of the Year

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise which has best demonstrated commitment and excellence in the field of community relations.

Recipient: Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Finalists: Laredo Bucks, Lubbock Cotton Kings

Group Ticket Sales Franchise of the Year

Presented annually to the Central Hockey League franchise that generates the highest overall

group ticket revenue over the course of the season.

Recipient: Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Finalists: Oklahoma City & Wichita

TRANSACTIONS

The Killer Bees obtained the rights to forward Vic Pereira in exchange for defenseman Clay Plume. Pereira, who will turn 26 in September, appeared in 57 games for the Lubbock Cotton Kings and accumulated 100 PIM while chipping in with 10 points (5-5-10). The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Abbotsford, British Columbia, native turned pro last season after earning a management degree and completing a four-year playing career at the prestigious Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

Plume, from Stand Off, Alberta, played one season for the Killer Bees and posted 16 points and 55 PIM in 64 games in 2005-06.

Shmyr, of Fairview, Alberta, has spent nine seasons playing professional hockey, including the past three seasons for Rio Grande Valley. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound right wing collected 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists in 59 games during the 2005-06 season. He racked up 177 penalty minutes.

The Bees were able to retain the CHL rights to goalie Terry Dunbar and forwards Jason Kuczmanski and Phil Cherneski.

The Killer Bees are getting ready for the fourth season of CHL action in the Rio Grande Valley beginning in October. Season tickets and corporate sponsorships are available now by calling (956) 843-PUCK. Stay tuned all summer to killerbeehockey.com for the latest news and transactions as they become official!

Vic Pereira

Forward Born Sep 2 1980 -- Abbotsford, BC Height 6.03 -- Weight 220 -- Shoots L

CAREER: Pereira turned pro after appearing in 120 games with Rensselaer (RPI) and posting 14 goals, 20 assists and 34 points...He was named the ECAC Player of the Week once and was an All-Academic selection...The big forward scored a career high 13 points his senior season last season with four goals and nine assists...Prior to his college career, he played for the South Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), where he was an alternate captain and was awarded the team's Unsung Hero Award with 22 goals and 40 assists for 62 points in 60 games...In the BCHL, Pereira also spent time with Cowichan Valley Capitals, combining for 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points in 103 games during the 98/99 - 99/00 seasons, and the Nanaimo Clippers.

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

2000-01 South Surrey Eagles BCHL 60 22 40 62 103

2001-02 R.P.I. NCAA 21 2 0 2 32

2002-03 R.P.I. NCAA 32 3 7 10 27

2003-04 R.P.I. NCAA 35 5 4 9 34

2004-05 R.P.I. NCAA 32 4 9 13 45

2005-06 Lubbock Cotton Kings CHL 57 5 5 10 110 -- -- -- -- --

2006 Complete CHL Expansion Draft Selections:

1. Arizona Sundogs - Dominic Leveille (Odessa)

2. Rocky Mountain Rage - Matt Desrosiers (Colorado)

3. Rocky Mountain Rage - Nick Warriner (Laredo)

4. Arizona Sundogs - David Lizotte (Wichita)

5. Rocky Mountain Rage - Vic Pereira (Lubbock) Traded for Clay Plume (Rio Grande Valley)

6. Arizona Sundogs - Chris King (Tulsa)

7. Rocky Mountain Rage - Sebastien Thinel (Odessa)

8. Arizona Sundogs - David Lemanowicz (Laredo)

9. Rocky Mountain Rage - Ryan Shmyr (Rio Grande Valley)

10. Arizona Sundogs - Ben Murphy (Wichita)



Central Hockey League Stories from June 5, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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