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Laredo's Terry Ruskowski Named CHL Coach of the Year

March 22, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


Laredo Bucks Coach Terry Ruskowski has today been named the 2005-2006 Central Hockey League Coach of the Year. The award is "Presented annually to the CHL coach adjudged to have contributed most to his team's success," and is selected through balloting among all CHL Head Coaches. Ruskowski, recently named the CHL's ‘Best Coach' in the 2005-2006 CHL Best of the Best poll, has led the Bucks to the top mark (currently 41-15-6) in the Southern Conference this season, while clinching a fourth consecutive playoff berth, a third straight Southeast Division title and the top seed in the Southern Conference playoffs for the third straight year.

In four years with Laredo, Ruskowski has to date compiled a record of 165-62-23 and a winning percentage of .706. The Bucks have advanced to at least the Southern Conference Finals each season and have made back-to-back appearances in the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals. Ruskowski and the Bucks made their CHL debut in the 2002-2003 season with a record of 41-17-6. In the 2003-04 season, Laredo improved further, posting a CHL best 48-8-8 regular season record along with a CHL single season record .813 winning percentage. Under Ruskowski's guidance that season, the Bucks also recorded a CHL record 21-game home winning streak while capturing both the Governor's Cup (regular season) and Ray Miron President's Cup (playoffs) titles. It was the first championship as a head coach for Ruskowski, who finished second in 2003-04 CHL Coach of the Year balloting in the closest race in League history. In the 2004-2005 season the Bucks closed the season 12-0-1 to capture the Southern Conference regular season title and posted a 35-22-3 record, advancing to the President's Cup Finals for the second consecutive season.

Ruskowski played 15 years in the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association and in 10 of those 15 seasons, "Rosco" wore the "C" as team captain. Among his teammates were legends Gordie Howe, Stan Mikita and Mario Lemieux. In the WHA, Ruskowski won AVCO Cup championships with both Houston and Winnipeg. In the NHL, he played in Chicago, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Minnesota, finishing his playing career with 426 points and 1,356 penalty minutes in 630 NHL games.

"We congratulate Coach Ruskowski on this well deserved honor," said CHL President Brad Treliving. "His significant coaching achievements in Laredo speak for themselves, and we are pleased to see his fellow coaches recognize his efforts."

Finishing second and third respectively in balloting for the 2005-2006 CHL Coach of the Year honor were Austin's Bill McDonald and Odessa's Don McKee. Thursday the CHL will release the winners of the Most Outstanding Defenseman and Most Outstanding Goaltender awards, with the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player award winners announced on Friday.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2006


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