Mudbugs Release Training Camp Roster, Dates

October 3, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA - With the start of the 2008-2009 Central Hockey League season now just 14 days away, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs announced their 2008 training camp roster and schedule on Friday. The Mudbugs will start training camp on Monday, October 6th and will play a pair of preseason contests in Mississippi.

Bossier-Shreveport is hitting the road for its entire training camp this year, traveling to Southaven, Mississippi to hold camp at the home of the RiverKings, the DeSoto Civic Center. The Mudbugs will conduct practices and workouts throughout the week in Mississippi leading up to the team's two exhibition contests against their Northeast Division rivals.

"We'll find out quickly from this camp what guys are made of, and they will find out what each other are made of," said Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "We're asking guys who just got into town to pack up and go out on the road, and they'll have to quickly get to know each other and learn to lean on each other."

At 7:05 pm on both Friday and Saturday night, the 'Bugs will take on the RiverKings in a pair of preseason games at the DCC. Roster spots for both teams will be on the line as players look to show their coaches that they deserve to be on the opening day roster.

"You've got to use those games as opportunities to gauge players and see exactly what they'll bring to the table," Muscutt says. "It's a great chance to see the instincts these players have when they're out there against tough competition. That's how you find out what a player can do for you in key situations."

The Mudbugs also released the names of the 24 players on their 2008 training camp roster Friday. The roster includes six returnees from last season's squad (Chris Brassard, Ken Carroll, Quade Lightbody, Dale Lupul, Neil Poulsen, and Brett Smith) and 18 new faces trying to make the 08-09 team. Recently re-signed forward Kevin Cooper is not on the list because he is currently in training camp with the AHL's Rochester Americans. In addition to veterans Joe Blaznek and Travis Clayton, Bossier-Shreveport has five more new players with at least one full season of professional experience.

Joining the 'Bugs for their first stints in the CHL are forward Evgeny Saidachev, who helped the Fort Wayne Komets win the IHL's Turner Cup Championship last season, and defenseman B.J. Radovich, who skated with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers in 07-08. Goaltender Jon Horrell comes to Bossier-Shreveport after spending the past two years with the Wichita Thunder, and defenseman J.R. Bria, who started last season in Corpus Christi, returns to the Central League after spending most of 07-08 with Pensacola of the ECHL.

"I'm really excited about this recruiting class and I'm exited about some of the players who have chosen to come to Bossier-Shreveport," said Muscutt. "I think we've got a good mix of returning players and new guys, and we've got some good looking young players with tons of potential."

When they start camp on Monday, the Mudbugs will have 11 rookies and three second year players taking to the ice. Although he did play 19 games for the team last season, Poulsen is still classified as a rookie this year because he has played fewer than 25 professional games.

Mudbugs fans wishing to travel to Mississippi next Friday and Saturday for the two exhibition games can purchase tickets directly from the DCC box office or through Ticketmaster in Mississippi at 901-525-1515. Ticket prices are $15.00 for lower level and $10.00 for upper level seats. Both games can be heard live online through the web stream of the RiverKings' radio home, AM 560 WHBQ, at www.sports56whbq.com.

The 2008-09 CHL regular season begins on Friday, October 17th, when the Mudbugs take on the rival Texas Brahmas at 7:05 pm at CenturyTel Center. Season and group tickets are on sale now, so don't miss out on your chance to be a part of the 12th season of Mudbugs hockey. Call 318-752-BUGS or stop by the team office inside CenturyTel Center for more information or to purchase tickets.

2008 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Training Camp Roster

# Name Ht. Wt. Birthdate Hometown

Forwards

3 Andrew Nelson 5-10 185 10/20/82 Superior, WI

4 Chris Brassard 6-0 205 8/19/75 Toronto, ON

14 Joe Blaznek 6-1 205 9/8/75 Detroit, MI

16 B.J. Radovich 5-9 185 3/3/83 Hermantown, MN

17 Mike Venit 5-8 180 12/7/84 Philadelphia, PA

18 Dallas Costanzo 6-0 185 2/2/84 Montrose, BC

20 Neil Poulsen 6-3 237 3/31/84 Brockville, ON

21 Evgeny Saidachev 5-10 175 7/21/85 Khabarovsk, Russia

22 Mykul Haun 5-6 170 3/9/82 Oakland, CA

23 Charles Harvey 6-0 175 3/12/85 Columbus, OH

28 Kevin Dykstra 6-2 204 5/10/84 Brampton, ON

37 Matt Frank 6-0 185 6/2/83 Billings, MT

38 Travis Clayton 5-8 180 3/9/76 Paradise Hill, SK

39 J.J. Martin 5-11 170 11/21/80 Thorold, ON

41 Brett Smith 5-8 175 8/31/81 Guelph, ON

Defensemen

2 J.R. Bria 5-11 218 10/30/82 Monroe, CT

6 Marcus Wiebe 6-2 190 7/10/85 Armstrong, BC

8 Quade Lightbody 6-2 215 5/1/75 Port Elgin, ON

25 Clay Thoring 5-11 195 11/5/81 Frontier, SK

26 Tim Recio 5-9 190 11/1/84 Pittsburgh, PA

44 Dale Lupul 6-2 210 2/14/80 Port Coquitlam, BC

64 Simon Mangos 5-10 183 2/15/80 Brampton, ON

Goaltenders

30 Jon Horrell 5-11 185 11/11/81 Beckenham, England

34 Ken Carroll 5-10 175 7/19/76 Oil City, ON



Central Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2008


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