Mudbugs Land Power Forward Crampton

Published on October 5, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs today announced the signing of veteran forward Steven Crampton to their training camp roster for the 2010-11 Central Hockey League season. The additions of Crampton and forward David Rutherford, who just re-joined the team from Rochester of the AHL, give the Mudbugs 23 players in camp trying to earn roster spots for next week's season opener.

Crampton, 28, returns to North America for his ninth pro season after spending the past three years overseas. The 6-2, 200-pound winger has played the majority of his career in the ECHL, but has also enjoyed three stints in the American Hockey League in the last five seasons. In 446 career games, Crampton has totaled 131 goals, 222 assists, 353 points and 804 penalty minutes.

Skating in Germany, Denmark and Italy over the past three years, Crampton compiled 115 points (44g, 71a) in 122 games. Before venturing abroad the Winnipeg, Manitoba native spent two seasons with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers, where he was a teammate of the Mudbugs' Shawn Limpright. He also played 11 AHL games over three separate call-ups during his time in Las Vegas.

When he last played in the United States, Crampton enjoyed his best pro season to date in 2006-07 with the Wranglers. Career highs of 23 goals, 39 assists and 62 points made him Las Vegas' second-leading scorer that year, while he also contributed 131 penalty minutes (including seven fighting majors) and a +13 rating. His career high of 153 penalty minutes came a year earlier, when he also recorded 53 points in 63 games with Norfolk and Lowell of the AHL and Las Vegas.

An eighth-round draft choice of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins in 2000, Crampton played four seasons of Major Junior with the Western Hockey League's Moose Jaw Warriors before turning pro in 2002. He then skated in 190 games over his first three pro seasons with Wheeling of the ECHL, accumulating 123 points and 313 PIMS in that time.

Crampton joins Limpright, Joe Blaznek, Travis Clayton, Clay Plume and Brett Smith as the veteran contingent on the 2010-11 Mudbugs roster. The six players boast a combined total of over 3,100 professional games between them.

The Mudbugs 2010-2011 season starts on Friday, October 15 against the Mississippi RiverKings at the CenturyTel Center. Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now, so call 752-BUGS or stop by the team office inside the CenturyTel Center to get yours today! For all the latest Mudbugs news, log on to www.mudbugshockey.com .

Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at www.mudbugshockey.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 5, 2010


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