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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Parsons and RiverKings among "Best of the Best"

March 7, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN--- The Central Hockey League released the results of its annual "Best of the Best" poll on Sunday and the RiverKings received some high marks in several key categories. The poll is a non-scientific survey with the voting coming from teams' coaches, players, media relations and broadcasting staff. The poll respondents could not vote for players on their own team.

RiverKings captain Don Parsons was the only player league-wide to finish first in multiple categories. He was named as Best Stickhandler, Smartest Player and Best on the Power-Play. Ten of the 16 teams that could vote for him put him first in the Best on the Power-Play category. Parsons currently leads the league in goals scored with 49, power-play goals with 20 and is second in overall scoring with 84 points.

"It's cool to know that others respect you and vote for you" Parsons said. "It's neat to see your name with the other players in the league." As far being the smarter player in the league, Parsons thinks that comes with age. "I think I am a smarter player now than when I was younger. It also helps to have smart players around you and I think that is what we have here."

Parsons finished a distant second to Greg Pankewicz in the Best Overall Player poll.

"He is a great player and I sat down and talked to him some at the All-Star Game. He hired a personal trainer during the summer after battling some injuries the past few seasons and it has paid off for him this season."

RiverKings rookie Phil Aucoin got the nod in the Best Rookie polling. He received nine first place votes and 37 total votes. Topeka's Mike Lukajic and Colorado netminder Tyler Weiman finished second and third with 20 and 19 votes respectively.

"It is an honor, definitely." Aucoin said. "As a rookie coming in, I didn't expect to be where I am right now with 60-some points and leading all rookies. Playing with Donny on the first line has definitely helped me. Not many rookies have had that chance this year."

The RiverKings also won a close race for Best On-Ice Promotions receiving 15 total votes to edge Oklahoma City by three.

"It is a great privilege to be recognized by the players and coaches along with select media for being regarded as having an outstanding production here with the RiverKings" Director of Game Operations Gene Szucs explained. "Having been recognized as being the best show in the league by the C.H.L. two years in a row, there's a lot to look toward making that third one a reality, and this is a great step towards that goal. I'd like to recognize Joey Thorsen, Whitley Rives, Tim Van Horn, and Mark Bialek who each deserve to be recognized for their individual creative contributions towards making our show the benchmark it is in sports entertainment."

Other RiverKings that showed up in the top three included Derek Landmesser and Ted Crowley finishing second and third respectively on the Hardest Shooter question. Landmesser also finished one vote behind Corpus Christi's Bernie John for the Best Offensive Defenseman.

The official release with all the results can be found on the Central Hockey League's website at http://www.centralhockeyleague.com/news/?id=7049 .

Memphis is riding a six-game winning streak, their longest of the season, and are preparing for their final road-trip of the regular season this weekend. They travel to Wichita on Friday followed by games at Oklahoma City on Saturday and Topeka on Sunday.

A RiverKings game can be even more fun when you take it in with your group or organization. Get your group together and have a great time at the DeSoto Civic Center. For more information or to purchase season tickets, group tickets, mini-plans, or 9 game vouchers call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 and ask for the sales department or stop by the DCC during business hours.

Catch all the exciting action of 2004-2005 RiverKings Hockey on Sports 56 WHBQ.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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