Kings First in the South
Published on December 20, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
LUBBOCK, TX â The Lubbock Cotton Kings are pleased to announce that the Kings are the best team in the Southwest Division and Southern Conference.
With a win over San Angelo last night, the Kings moved to 14-6-2 on the season with 30 points â good enough for the best winning percentage in the Southern Conference and third overall in the Central Hockey League. The team has turned around from a dismal 19-win season last year in large part due to the work ethic and quality of players brought in by Kings Head Coach Chris Dashney.
"I can't really speak to what happened in the past," said Dashney. "I was brought in to do a job and that was to return this team to the prominence it had in the first two years."
Dashney and his hockey operations staff will represent the Southern Conference behind the bench for the Dodge 2005 All-Star Game in Laredo, Texas, in mid-January. Dashney is quick to downplay his role in game.
"This is definitely an honor for the team and the Kings organization," said Dashney. "I wasn't focusing on being apart of their all-star week, but rather, continuing our winning ways and being on top of the Southern Conference. I think all of the credit has to go to our players â they have shown the character, grit and determination so far this season that is responsible for our early success."
Joining Dashney in South Texas from January 10th through 12th will be the Cotton Kings supporting operations crew of Rusty Aldridge (Equipment Manager) and Bobby Franco (Athletic Trainer).
Sunday, Jason Maxwell scored the game winning goal and added an assist in a 4-1 victory over San Angelo, eliminating Saints Coach Ray Edwards from All-Star contention. A San Angelo victory would have earned Edwards the honor. Dashney will also help select, along with the CHL's Hockey Operations staff, the non-starters for the Southern Conference in the January 12th All-Star Game.
The Cotton Kings success this season under the first year head coach has been remarkable. With a conference best mark of 14-6-2, the Cotton Kings are eight full games above .500 after finishing last season with a dreadful mark of 19-35-10.
In 03-04, Lubbock didn't earn their 14th win until February 12th. Dashney and the Southern Conference will match up with Colorado Eagles Coach Chris Stewart in Laredo. The starting lineups for each conference will be announced Wednesday, December 22nd, with the remainder of the All-Stars announced a week later.
(some text courtesy of Steve Cherwonak â CHL)
Central Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2004
- Oakley CHL Player & Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
- Mudbugs weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bes Selected As CHL Oakley Player Of The Week - Laredo Bucks
- Scorpions await return of Evil Eagles - New Mexico Scorpions
- 2005 CHL All-Star Coaches and Support Crew Announced - CHL
- Gorillas set to host Colorado in last game before Christmas - Amarillo Gorillas
- 2005 CHL All-Star Game Coaches Determined - Laredo Bucks
- Tarantulas activate Bateman - Topeka Tarantulas
- Kings First in the South - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Eagles week in review - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder maintains first with pair of wins - Wichita Thunder
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.
