Mudbugs Training Camp Underway
Published on October 12, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA -- The 2004 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs training camp officially kicked off yesterday with two on-ice practices at the CenturyTel Center and the most competitive camp in team history continues this week as the 2004-2005 hockey season nears.
Of the 26 players invited to Mudbugs training camp, 14 return from last year's team which reached the President's Cup Finals including six veterans with 260 professional games played or more. The Central Hockey League now allows only four players on a team who fall under veteran status. Forwards Dan Wildfong, Chris Brassard, David Oliver, Jason Campbell, Trevor Buchanan, and late arrival Forbes MacPherson are the team's six veterans in training camp.
In goal, all-star Ken Carroll returns for his fourth season in Bossier-Shreveport after posting a 25-11-3 record with a 2.17 goals against average and a .924 save percentage last year. Also returning between the pipes is sixth-year pro Jeff Blair, who joined the Mudbugs in December of last year and won 12 of his first 13 games en route to a 16-4-2 record with the team. Rookie goaltender Brandon Chalazan also joins the roster after spending last year in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
On defense, four of the Mudbugs' six blueliners from last year are back including third-year member Jason Basile who has not missed a game in his Mudbugs career. Second-year Bugs Quade Lightbody, Wes Blevins, and Travis Bell anchor the defensive corps and will be challenged by four rookie defensemen. Jay Fennessy (American International College), Matt Nicholson (Colgate University), Chad Kemp (Plattsburgh State University), and Mike Utzig (Brockport State University) will all compete for positions on the Mudbugs' blue line.
Joining the Mudbugs' six veteran forwards are second-year professionals Craig Soke and Ryan Manitowich who each look to follow their impressive rookie campaigns. Soke was nominated for CHL Rookie of the Year honors last season and has spent the last two weeks in training camp with the Mudbugs' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. Four newcomers to the team's forward ranks have previous professional experience including Mike Hanson (2nd-year pro), Shane Palahicky (2nd-year pro), Joe Gerbe (2nd-year pro), and Lyle Steenbergen (3rd-year pro). Three rookie forwards, Jeff Dams (Holy Cross College), Chris Welch (Niagara University), and Scott Sheppard (OHL's London Knights) will also battle for the remaining forward positions. Sheppard has spent time with the Rochester Americans of the AHL this fall as well and scored 29 goals and 59 assists in 68 games for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season.
Returning for his fifth season behind the bench, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Scott Muscutt is prepared to make the Mudbugs the league's "Hardest Working Team" once again. "We have a lot of talent in a camp that consists of a great mixture of youth and experience," said Muscutt. "Every player that's here, whether he's one of the veterans or a rookie, knows that he comes here fighting for a job. These guys are willing to battle to be a part of this team and this organization and in the end we'll have some very difficult decisions to make."
The Mudbugs' preseason will begin on Saturday October 16th with an exhibition practice against the San Angelo Saints. The team will then travel to Memphis for an exhibition game against the Memphis RiverKings on Tuesday October 19th. The regular season opener will then take place on October 22nd against the Fort Worth Brahmas at 7:05 p.m. at the CenturyTel Center. Season tickets and corporate partnerships are now available for the 2004-2005 Mudbugs season by calling 318-752-BUGS.
MUDBUGS TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
Tuesday October 12th â 3:00 p.m. Practice
Wednesday October 13th â 10:00 a.m. Practice
1:00 p.m. PRESS CONFERENCE
(located in the CenturyTel Center Conference Room across from the Mudbugs Offices)
Thursday October 14th â Team departs for road trip
Friday October 15th â Practice in San Angelo, Texas
Saturday October 16th â 4:00 p.m. Exhibition practice/scrimmage vs. San Angelo Saints at San Angelo, TX
Sunday October 17th â Off Day
Monday October 18th â 10:00 a.m. Practice
Noon Departure for Memphis
Tuesday October 19th â 7:00 p.m. Exhibition Game vs. Memphis RiverKings at Southaven, MS
Wednesday October 20th â 10:00 a.m. Practice
Thursday October 21st â 10:00 a.m. Practice
5-7:00 p.m. Mudbugs appearing at Landers Dodge in Shreveport for Final Roster Announcement and Captains
Friday October 22nd â REGULAR SEASON HOME OPENER VS. FORT WORTH
Central Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2004
- Flyers coach Hitchcock arrives in Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bats Add Four on Veterans Day - Austin Ice Bats
- Bucks Assigned Kelman - Laredo Bucks
- RiverKings to host 6,400 students from Memphis and North Mississippi on Friday - Mississippi RiverKings
- Tarantulas to officially open office - Topeka Tarantulas
- Mudbugs Training Camp Underway - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
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