Mudbugs Named Among CHL's Best

March 8, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - Members of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs both on the ice and off have once again been recognized among the best in the Central Hockey League in this year ‚¬â„¢s CHL "Best of the Best" Poll, whose results were released today. For the second straight year, the Mudbugs posted eight top-three finishes in the poll, including four mentions and three category wins for forward David Rutherford.

The annual "Best of the Best" poll consists of 50 categories voted on by players, coaches and operational staff from all 18 CHL teams, with each team submitting one ballot. Click here to view complete results of the 2010-11 poll and here to read the feature article written by Blake Sebring in The News Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana).

David Rutherford earned a proverbial "hat trick" with first-place finishes in three different categories. Rutherford ‚¬â„¢s masterful puck control saw him voted the CHL ‚¬â„¢s Best Stickhandler over the likes of Tulsa ‚¬â„¢s Chad Costello and Laredo ‚¬â„¢s Neil Trimm. He also edged out the field in the Fastest Skater category, just ahead of Brian Bicek from Evansville and Riley Nelson of the Colorado Eagles.

The emotional and talkative second-year Mudbug was also named the league ‚¬â„¢s "Most Annoying Player". Finally, Rutherford also garnered attention as the league ‚¬â„¢s second-best shooter in shootouts (behind Colorado ‚¬â„¢s Kevin Ulanski).

In his first year playing in the Central Hockey League, Mudbugs defenseman Mitch Love has earned the respect of his peers with a second-place finish in the "Best Pound-for-Pound Fighter" category. Only Rapid City ‚¬â„¢s David Simoes received more votes in that area than Love, who has 14 fighting majors this year despite currently being out with a long-term injury.

Off the ice the Mudbugs received recognition in three categories, including a first-place finish for Mudbugs play-by-play voice Travis Huntington, who edged out 58-year veteran Bob Chase of the Fort Wayne Komets for the distinction of "Best Broadcaster".

The Mudbug Boilers Booster Club, well-known throughout the league for their support of the franchise, won the "Best Booster Club" category in another landslide. The Boilers received more votes than second-place Rapid City and third-place Texas combined to take home the top spot for the seventh time.

Rounding out the poll, Mudbugs mascot Clawed finished in the top three in the voting for "Best Mascot". Rio Grande Valley ‚¬â„¢s "Sir Sting-A-Lot" and Wichita ‚¬â„¢s "ThunderDog" narrowly bested Clawed, who is in his 14th year of entertaining Mudbugs fans and making community appearances in Bossier-Shreveport.

The Mudbugs are on the ice once again tonight for "Mardi Gras Night" against the Dayton Gems at 6:35 pm. For ticket information, call 752-BUGS or visit www.mudbugshockey.com . Individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at 318-741-9700, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the CenturyTel Center main box office.

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



Central Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2011


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