McHugh Returns To Laredo

Published on August 30, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, Texas - The 2006 CHL President's Cup Champion Laredo Bucks announced today that they have signed defenseman Oriel McHugh. McHugh was with the Bucks in the 2004-05 season, helping the team reach the President's Cup Finals. He is the 13th player signed overall by Laredo. The Bucks are offering a family four pack of season tickets for the 2006-07 CHL regular season, which works out to just over $7 a seat per game and is a 48 % savings off walkup prices. For more info on 2006-07 Bucks season tickets log onto www.laredobucks.com or call (956) 718-BUCK (2825).

McHugh, 6'3 220 pounds, played in 48 games this past season with the Bakersfield Condors in the ECHL. He had three goals and three assists to go with 54 penalty minutes. In 11 playoff games he recorded three assists and helped the Condors reach the ECHL Conference Semifinals.

"Oriel is a big strong physical defenseman," said Bucks head coach Terry Ruskowski. "Critical to the Bucks he shoots right handed and we have been lacking a right handed defenseman. He is a hard hitter with a tremendous shot which we will use on the power play. He is quiet, works hard all the time, and is a classy young man that I am happy to have back in our organization."

McHugh had a stellar rookie campaign with the Bucks in 2004-05. He potted 10 goals and totaled 19 points in 55 regular season games. He led all CHL rookies with a plus 34 rating and was fourth overall. In the post-season he had a goal and four assists as he helped the Bucks reach the 2005 CHL President's Cup Finals..

McHugh played four years of college hockey for the University of Vermont Catamounts. In 116 games he had 13 goals, 10 assists and 86 PIMs. McHugh was the on-ice captain for the Catamounts his senior season.

He hails from St. Laurent, Quebec which is also the home town of his favorite player and NHL Hall of Fame selection, defenseman Raymond Bourque.

McHugh was an honor roll student at Herzliah High School, and then attended prep school at Deerfield. During his two years at Deerfield he was an all-star defenseman, played tight end on the football team and also participated in crew.

At Vermont he graduated with a B.S. in Community Development and Applied Economics. Vermont has produced such NHL stars as NHL MVP Martin St. Louis, a 1997 graduate and John LeClair, graduate 1991.

The Bucks open training camp on October 9th at the LEC. The regular season begins on October 21st at Corpus Christi. Laredo will have their home opener against Rio Grande Valley on October 28th at the LEC.

The Bucks are offering a family four pack of season tickets for the 2006-07 CHL regular season, that works out to just over $7 a seat per game and is a 48 % savings off walkup prices. For more info contact a Bucks season ticket representative at (956) 718-BUCK (2825).

2004-05 Bucks Highlights

First pro point came on 10/22 at SNG...First pro goal came on 10/23 vs. COR...Had two assists on 11/16 vs. AUS...Scored two goals on 12/10 vs. SNG...Had two assists on 03/11 at COR...Was personal season high plus three at OKC on 03/08...Scored two goals on season high five shots on 03/16 vs. Austin...Had game winning goal with 7.7 seconds left on 03/18 at Fort Worth...Finished plus 34, fourth among defenseman and first among rookies...Scored four of 10 goals against AUS...Scored on 10 of 74 shots, second best percentage among defenseman at 13.5 %...

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Central Hockey League Stories from August 30, 2006


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