Killer Bees Weekly Notes

Published on November 18, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


FOR THE WEEK OF Nov. 17 - Nov. 23RD

JUST FOLLOW THE RIO GRANDE RIVER

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and the New Mexico Scorpions completed a deal Monday, sending forward Jonathan Parker to the Killer Bees in return for undisclosed future considerations. The move is the first roster move made by the Killer Bees this season. Parker, a 6'2" 225-pound native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a rookie that currently has one goal in 9 games played. He started out the season in San Angelo and played five games (including the season opener against the Killer Bees) for the Saints before being released and acquired by the New Mexico Scorpions. In his first game with the Scorps' on November 4th, Parker earned "CHL Metal Blade Power Players" recognition by tallying a shootout game winning goal in overtime to lead the Scorpions past the Wichita Thunder 6-5. The 21 year-old forward played junior hockey in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and major juniors in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Drafted 5th in the 1997 WHL Draft, Parker played two seasons (98/99 - 99/00) with the Prince George Cougars and combined for 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points in 61 games. He spent the 99/00 season and the 00/01 season with the Regina Pats of the WHL and combined for 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 51 games. Parker played his three previous seasons in the MJHL with the St. James Canadians and the Selkirk Steelers. His finest junior season came during the 01/02 season in St. James as Parker tallied 58 goals and 48 assists for 106 points in 64 games. Last season in Selkirk, Parker earned MJHL All-Star honors, along with two MJHL "Player of the Week" awards and MJHL "Player of the Month" honors for the month of January, as he posted 35 goals and 53 assists for 88 points in 55 games to rank 9th in the league in scoring. Prior to activating Parker, the Killer Bees must make an adjustment to their active roster.

BEE OF THE WEEK

Each week, a Killer Bee will be highlighted as the Killer Bees "Player of the Week" for their efforts in the prior week's games. Defenseman Sean Gillam earns this week's "Bee of the Week" honor after helping the Bees to two of their three wins. The player/assistant coach was the Bees ninth shooter in the overtime shootout in San Angelo Friday night and he was able to slide the puck past Brant Nicklin, while Jeff Levy stopped Corri Moffat's attempt to credit Gillam with the game winning goal. The goal was his first overtime game winning goal in his eight year career. It was Gillam who also scored the decisive goal in Sunday's 2-1 victory over the Austin Ice Bats at the Dodge Arena. 59-seconds into the third period, Gillam broke in from the blueline to take Andrew Taylor's pass in the left slot and flip it over Jonathan Forest to give the Bees the 2-1 lead. "Gilly" now has 4 game winning goals in his career.

FOOD DRIVE

The Killer Bees and the Dodge Arena have teamed up, along with game night sponsors Harley Davidson and El Pato to benefit the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank. Until Thanksgiving weekend, the Dodge Arena is encouraging canned food drives for all arena events, and the Killer Bees will assist by adding an incentive. For this Friday and Saturday night's home games at the Dodge Arena, the first 1,000 fans that bring a canned food item and/or a non perishable item will receive a Killer Bees hockey puck.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Fri. Nov. 14 3-2 W (so) @ San Angelo Top Star: RGV-Sean Gillam (OT Game Winning Goal)

Sat. Nov. 15 3-1 W @ San Angelo Top Star: RGV-Jacque Vezina (20 of 21 saves)

Sun. Nov. 16 2-1 W vs Austin Top Star: RGV-Jeff Levy (26 of 27 saves)

WEEK AHEAD

Wed. Nov. 19 7:30 @ Laredo Bucks Radio: XERT 1170 AM TV: CHLTV.COM Notes: The Killer Bees make their first trip to Laredo in attempt to even the season series after Laredo defeated the Bees 6-0 at the Dodge Arena on November 8th during their first clash. Laredo's Patrik Nilson led all scoring in the game with 2 goals and an assist for 3 points. The game featured 85 penalty minutes, which is a Killer Bees single game high for the season.

Fri. Nov. 21 7:30 vs Corpus Christi Rayz Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: The Rayz and Bees meet for the third time this season and the second time at the Dodge Arena. The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a free puck compliments of Rio Grande Valley Harley Davidson, as the Bees seek their first series win over the Rayz after two consecutive shootout losses. Rayz forward Patrick Levesque leads the series in scoring with 4 assists.

Sat. Nov. 22 7:30 vs San Angelo Saints Radio: XERT 1170 AM

Notes: The Bees and Saints meet again for the fifth time this season and the second time at the Dodge Arena. The Bees lead the series (3-1-0) and have won the last three meetings. Saints forward Chris Minard has scored 4 of his 6 goals this season against the Bees and leads the series in scoring with 5 points off of 4 goals and an assist, while Roger Holeczy leads the Bees in the series with 3 points (1g,2a). All four goaltenders Goals Against Average (GAA) sits below 2.00 in the series.

PRACTICE TIMES: TUE & THUR: 10 - 11:15 AM, WED, FRI & SAT: 10 - 10:30 AM

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