Original Buck Weidlich Signs In SPHL

September 29, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


BILOXI, MS- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Tuesday that Steve Weidlich has signed with the Mississippi Surge of the Southern Professional Hockey League as the team's player/assistant coach. Weidlich, who is an original Buck, spent the last seven seasons in Laredo, winning two President's Cup Championships.

The Surge announced Weidlich's signing Tuesday during a press conference in Biloxi, Mississippi.

"We Wish Steve Weidlich all the success in the world with his new team," said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. "I know he will make an impact there."

"I love Laredo and I love the people there," Weidlich said. "I will always treasure my seven years that I spent there. Laredo's a great place to play. I'm sad to leave but I look forward to the future."

Weidlich has been with the Bucks franchise since their first year back in 2002-03, and has played in the most playoff games in team history, suiting up for 96 postseason contests. In those 96 playoff games Weidlich has put up 25 points (5-20=25), to go along with 228 penalty minutes. Weidlich's 301 regular season games played with the Bucks puts him third-all time in franchise history, behind only Serge Dube (381), and Jeff Bes (334).

"Steve Weidlich is a consumate professional and he's meant an awful lot to the Laredo Bucks organization, as well as the City of Laredo," said Jeff Bes, who played with Weidlich for the past six seasons. "He's won two championships here in Laredo, and he will be missed. He has a great opportunity in Mississippi to not only still play, but to get his feet wet in coaching. I know he'll do well."

The Edmonton, Alberta native has played in 397 regular and post season games combined with Laredo, scoring 34 goals, handing out 104 assists, totaling 138 points. Weidlich has amassed 849 penalty minutes combined in his Bucks career.

Weidlich was instrumental in the Bucks title runs in 2004, and 2006. In both championship years Weidlich was in double-digits for plus/minus, posting a +16 in the '04 playoffs, and a +11 in the '06 postseason.

Weidlich heads to Mississippi to serve as the team's player/assistant coach as they start their first season in the SPHL. The Surge will open up the 2009-10 campaign on October 22nd when they visit the Louisiana Ice Gators.

The Bucks will open their eighth season in the Gateway City on October 24th at the LEC, with the first 1,000 fans entering the arena receiving a FREE Bucks "Believe in Blue" picture frame. The Bucks will host the 2010 CHL All-Star Game January 13th. For ticket information call 718-BUCK (2825).



Central Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2009


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