Mudbugs Announce Partnership with Willis-Knighton
September 8, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League are proud to announce a new agreement that will make Willis-Knighton Health System the Official Healthcare Provider of the Mudbugs. The multiyear partnership pairs the 'Bugs with the sports medicine experts at Willis-Knighton, a nationally recognized provider of quality care.
"When we were presented an opportunity to negotiate an affiliation with the premier hospital in the region, we acted quickly and decisively," said Mudbugs President & General Manager Ray Delia. "Willis-Knighton will provide outstanding care for our athletes. The coverage via WK Sports Medicine, led by Dr. Barton and his professional staff, will certainly provide an on-ice edge for our program."
Mudbugs players will now receive care and treatment from Willis-Knighton's elite sports medicine program, which also provides its services to a number of other professional, collegiate and high school level teams in Northwest Louisiana. Willis-Knighton also will serve as the official athletic training facility of the Mudbugs, providing the fitness facilities as well as trainers that will keep Mudbugs players in peak physical condition and help prevent injuries.
Dr. Shane Barton of The Orthopedic Clinic and Dr. Richard Harrell of Bossier Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine will be the Mudbugs' team physicians, lending their years of sports medicine experience to the health of Mudbugs players.
"This partnership is incredibly exciting for us at Willis-Knighton," said Chris Mangin, who directs sports medicine at Willis-Knighton. "The buzz that it has already created in our work community is amazing. What we hope to see is a long-standing relationship that puts the best healthcare provider with the best team in the Central Hockey League."
The Willis-Knighton Sports Medicine team that will provide preventive and essential medical treatment to the Mudbugs will be impressive not only in years of experience but also in sheer numbers. Drs. Barton and Harrell will be joined by Drs. Edward Morgan, Jack Ferrell, John Mays, Diego Miranda, Karl Bilderback, Milan Mody, Michelle Self, and long-time Mudbugs facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Sanders.
"I'd like to thank Jim Elrod and his leadership team for making this relationship possible," Delia said. "It's inspiring to be connected to a company whose senior management focuses on sustained success and community minded endeavors in their market. Willis-Knighton's direction and focus on the community is something we strive to emulate within our organization."
Returning for an eighth season as the Mudbugs' head athletic trainer will be George Bullock Jr., who enters his 15th year in professional hockey in 2009-10. Bullock will continue to oversee all the medical needs of the Mudbugs, both on and off the ice, while working directly with sports medicine personnel from Willis-Knighton.
Also returning to Bossier-Shreveport's hockey operations department is equipment manager Billy T. Welker, who has occupied that position since the Mudbugs' inception in 1997. Welker and Head Coach Scott Muscutt, both entering their 13th seasons with the club, are the last remaining original members of the Mudbugs franchise.
The Mudbugs will begin the 2009-2010 season on Friday, Oct. 16 against the Laredo Bucks at the CenturyTel Center. Season ticket packages and mini-plans are available now, so call (318) 752-BUGS or visit our Web site at www.mudbugshockey.com for more information.
Central Hockey League Stories from September 8, 2009
- Sundogs Grow Roster by Two - Arizona Sundogs
- Sheen Inks With Killer Bees For 2009-10 - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Mudbugs Announce Partnership with Willis-Knighton - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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- Scott Rozendal Announces Retirement - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers help MDA raise Funds - Tulsa Oilers
- Bucks' Spence At NHL Camp - Laredo Bucks
- Eagles Ink Two Players With Local Ties - Colorado Eagles
- RiverKings in the Mid-South Update - Mississippi RiverKings
- Killer Bees Will Face Bucks, IceRays in Preseason - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Jackalopes Participate in MDA Telethon on Labor Day - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bucks Announce Pre-Season Schedule - Laredo Bucks
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.
