Rio's O'Leary earns callup to AHL

March 12, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release

Hidalgo, Texas --- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League today announced that left wing Mark O'Leary has been called up to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, the top affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings.

He is expected to sign a professional tryout with the team prior to Wednesday's game vs. the Toronto Marlies. The Griffins also play this Saturday vs. the Lake Erie Monsters and on Sunday at Toronto.

A second year pro, the 23-year-old Owen Sound, Ontario, native represents the first Killer Bees player to be called up to an AHL team during the regular season. Primarily a checking line winger, O'Leary posted 20 points (5-15-20) in 55 games with the Bees this season, nearly doubling his point total (6-5-11) from his rookie campaign.

"I'm excited for Mark and for our organization," explained Killer Bees Head Coach Paul Fixter. "Even in a season that has been as trying as this, there are always bright spots and this is one of them. Mark's commitment on and off the ice, and his tremendous work ethic, make him deserving of this opportunity. I hope it makes other players realize you never know when an opportunity will present itself."

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2008

• Rage drop 4-2 decision to Eagles - Rocky Mountain Rage
• Beatty's Game-Winner Improves Eagles' Lead to Three - Colorado Eagles
• Rays hit speedbump, fall to Bats 4-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
• Bats Top Corpus 4-1, Take Over Final Playoff Spot - Austin Ice Bats
• Rio's O'Leary earns callup to AHL - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
• Two Mudbugs Nominated For CHL Awards - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
• Greg Pankewicz's Hat Trick Voted Performance Of The Week - CHL
• Arizona Sundogs Notes - Arizona Sundogs
• Pivotal Playoff Implications This Week for Bats - Austin Ice Bats
• Pivotal Playoff Implications This Week for Bats - Austin Ice Bats
• Sundogs Top Scorpions 5-4 in Overtime, Increase Lead in Division to Four Points - Arizona Sundogs

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.

Other Recent Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Stories

• Killer Bees Suspend Operations
• Killer Bees Eliminated; Fall to Wichita 6-2
• Shorthanded Bees Fall to Wichita in Game Three
• Bees Win Game Three Against Thunder, 5-2
• Time Runs out on Bees, Fall 2-1 to Wichita