Mudbugs regular season roster released
October 19, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
Bossier City, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League have released their opening roster for the 2007-2008 regular season. To open the year, 20 players appear on the Mudbugs roster.
After starting training camp with 24 players and adding another during camp, Bossier-Shreveport made five cuts to get the roster down to 20. Forward Darren McKague and four rookies; Louis D'Avino, Evan Boire, Blair Robertson and Morgan Ward were released by the team during camp.
Among the 20 names on the regular season roster, ten are returning players from last year's Mudbugs squad. Longtime Mudbugs Jason Basile (6th year), Chris Brassard (6th yr), Ken Carroll (7th yr) and Quade Lightbody (5th yr) are all coming back for another run at the President's Cup.
A number of players are coming back for their second year with the Mudbugs, including forwards Karlis Zirnis, Joe Ori, and Daniel Pegoraro, defenseman Ryan Fairbarn goaltender John DeCaro. Rounding out the returners is forward Milan Vodrazka, who is back for his third year with the club.
Another veteran Mudbug and fan favorite coming back is veteran Mudbugs forward Jason "Soupy" Campbell, who returns to the team after taking last season off from hockey.
There are also three more players on this year's team who have played for the Mudbugs in the past and are returning to the franchise after spending time away. Forward Brett Smith is back after a year away in the East Coast Hockey League, while defensemen Dale Lupul and Derek Miller are also back in Bossier-Shreveport after playing in the UHL last season.
For 07-08, Head Coach Scott Muscutt has brought in a talented list of newcomers to the Mudbugs as well. Justin Aikins, Elias Godoy, Darryl Lloyd and Jake Ortmeyer all bring previous professional experience to their first stint in Bossier-Shreveport.
Rounding out the roster are rookie forwards Tyrel Lucas (who joined the team during last year's playoff run but did not play) and Kevin Labatte.
Aikins and Vodrazka will not be eligible to start the season on the active roster however, because their immigration status has not been finalized with the government in time for them to be in the lineup when the season starts. That is why the Mudbugs will currently carry 20 players on their roster, although CHL rules require that the official roster include only 19 players.
The 2007-08 CHL regular season begins on Friday night, with the Mississippi RiverKings hosting Bossier-Shreveport in the season opener at the Desoto Civic Center . The Mudbugs play their home opener on Saturday night at 7:05 pm at the CenturyTel Center taking on the Texas Brahmas.
2007-2008 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs roster:
Forwards: C. Brassard, J. Campbell, E. Godoy, K. Labatte, D. Lloyd, T. Lucas, J. Ori, D. Pegoraro, B. Smith, K. Zirnis
Defensemen: J. Basile, R. Fairbarn, Q. Lightbody, D. Lupul, D. Miller, J. Ortmeyer
Goaltenders: K. Carroll, J. DeCaro
*J. Aikins and M. Vodrazka will not play to start the season due to official immigration status.
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