Mudbugs' Spurr & Minard Named All-Stars

Published on January 5, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release


BOSSIER CITY, LA -- The Central Hockey League today released the reserves for the Northern Conference All-Star Team at the 2004 Dodge CHL All-Star Game and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs had two more players named to the squad. Forward Chad Spurr and defenseman Craig Minard were both named all-stars for the January 22nd contest in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The reserves for the 2004 Northern Conference All-Star team were selected by Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt, who was named Northern Conference Head Coach on December 20th, in conjunction with the CHL's Hockey Operations Department. Both Spurr and Minard will be making their first career all-star appearances and will join starting goaltender Ken Carroll on the team.

Spurr, 24, currently leads the Mudbugs in points (33), goals (14), and plus-minus (plus-17). The Hamilton, Ontario native also leads the Central Hockey League with four shorthanded goals. Now in his second season with the team, Spurr began the year in training camp with the Mudbugs' American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans. He then scored a point in 17 of the Mudbugs' first 20 games and most recently recorded a goal and two assists in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win at Fort Worth.

"This year, Chad has taken his game to another level and this honor is very well-deserved," said Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "He's leading our team in points, but he brings so much more to this group every night. Chad is definitely one of the most talented young players in the entire Central Hockey League and it's going to be a lot of fun watching him play at the All-Star Game in Albuquerque."

Minard, 28, is in his third season with the Mudbugs and fourth of his professional career. He currently leads the Mudbugs in scoring among defensemen with four goals and ten assists. The Orangeville, Ontario native has been one of the team's most consistent blueliners over the last three years and also began the season in training camp with the Rochester Americans of the AHL.

"I'm happy to recognize Craig for his solid defensive play and overall work ethic," said Muscutt. "Craig is one of the most steady defensemen in the CHL and plays in key situations each and every night for us. His all-around defensive game is definitely worthy of all-star honors and we wouldn't have the record we do without his play."

The three all-star selections of Ken Carroll, Chad Spurr, and Craig Minard are tied with the Colorado Eagles for the most players from one team in the Northern Conference. The Mudbugs will also be well-represented behind the bench with Head Coach Scott Muscutt, Equipment Manager Billy T. Welker and Head Athletic Trainer George Bullock Jr.

The 2004 Dodge CHL All-Star Game will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico at Tingley Coliseum on Thursday, January 22nd. The skills competition begins at 6:00 p.m. and the game between the Northern and Southern Conference All-Stars will follow at 7:05 p.m. Hockey Hall of Fame member and fifth-leading goal scorer in NHL history Phil Esposito will also be the guest speaker at the All-Star Banquet on Wednesday, January 21st.

This week, the Mudbugs will hit the road for three contests in three nights. Friday, the Mudbugs and Brahmas will meet again at the Fort Worth Convention Center for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff. On Saturday, the Mudbugs will then travel to Rio Grande Valley for their first-ever meeting with the expansion Killer Bees. Then on Sunday, the Laredo Bucks will host Bossier-Shreveport at 5:05 p.m. 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 January 5, 2004


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