Mudbugs Release Official Roster

Published on October 15, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs officially announced their roster for the 2003-04 season today and made the final cuts in preparation for the team's opening game at Wichita on Friday October 17th. The Mudbugs' lineup features a mix of returning veterans and promising rookies which have all fiercely competed for roster spots in training camp.

Of the 17 active players which will be starting the 2003-04 season, 12 return from last year's Mudbugs squad including five veterans (per CHL rules) with over 260 professional games played. Team captain Jim Sprott returns to the Mudbugs defense for his seventh season with the franchise, while player/assistant coaches Trevor Buchanan and Forbes MacPherson bring their veteran presence to the forward positions. Dan Wildfong, the Mudbugs' leading scorer last season, and fellow forward David Oliver round out the five veteran positions.

Joining Sprott on defense will be returnees Craig Minard and Jason Basile. Meanwhile, newcomers Wes Blevins and Quade Lightbody combine to bring five years of professional experience to the Mudbugs blue line. Rookie Travis Bell also joins the defensive corps from Cornell University where he helped lead the Big Red to the NCAA Frozen Four last season.

Jason Campbell, Chris Brassard, Chad Spurr, and Dru Burgess also highlight the returning forwards for Bossier-Shreveport. Campbell will enter his fifth year with the franchise and is in search of his fifth season with twenty goals or more. Brassard, Spurr, and Burgess all enter their second seasons with the Mudbugs and will be counted on for big offensive support. Rookie forward Craig Soke also joins the lineup from the University of New Brunswick.

In goal, Ken Carroll returns for his third season with the Mudbugs and fourth in professional hockey. Last season, he posted a 25-14-4 record and he enters the season just six wins away from becoming the winningest goaltender in Mudbugs history. His backup for the opening weekend will be rookie netminder Randy Hevey (Chicopee, MA). Hevey has spent the last four years with Norwich University (NCAA) and won two Division III National Championships in his collegiate career.

Three Mudbugs players will begin the season on the injured reserve list. Forwards Jeff Glowa, Colin Kendall, and Ryan Manitowich will be inactive for the Mudbugs opening weekend.

After what Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt called, "by far, the most competitive training camp in Mudbugs history," the team was forced to release several highly talented players. Among the cuts was longtime Mudbugs defenseman Tony Bergin, who also fell under the CHL's "veteran" category. "We will never be able to replace what Tony brought to this franchise," Muscutt said. "Tony was an awesome player and we wish him the best of luck in all that he does."

After this weekend's road trip to Wichita and Indianapolis, the Mudbugs home opener will take place on Friday October 24th against the Austin Ice Bats at the CenturyTel Center at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans will receive "Mudbugs Rally Towels" courtesy of American Dust Control. On Saturday October 25th, the Mudbugs will then host the New Mexico Scorpions and the first 3,000 fans will receive a magnetic schedule courtesy of Pizza Hut. For more information on the 2003-04 Mudbugs hockey season, please call 752-BUGS or visit www.mudbugshockey.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2003


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