Simoes Guest Columnist In May's Greater Laredo Magazine
Published on May 30, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League are proud to announce that Steve Simoes is a guest columnist in the May issue of Greater Laredo Magazine, which was available to the public Thursday.
The publishers of Greater Laredo Magazine came to the Bucks organization looking for a player to be a guest columnist, and to thank their fans for the support over the years. Simoes, a Buck for the last five seasons, was the first player to come to mind to write the article.
In the article Simoes writes about the strong bond between the Bucks and the Laredo community, "For the last six seasons, we, the Laredo Bucks, have been in the community trying to make the city proud by playing a sport we love". Simoes continues by writing "The community has welcomed us with open arms and embraced us as one of their own. So far south, so culturally different, and with a few language barriers at times, you all have taken us under your wing and made us feel at home".
In the article Simoes writes about the impact that a large crowd at the LEC makes on their team, "When playing in front of our fans in our building, it absolutely gives us an advantage that is almost not fair to other teams, due to the fan support we receive".
Simoes ends the article by writing, "The more people that are at the game in the stands, the louder the LEC gets to give us more of a home ice advantage. I look forward to seeing you all next season at the LEC. Let's get the place rockin' like it was back then, and we will make you proud and win another championship". The entire Simoes article is listed at the end of this page.
Simoes, who is not sure if he will return for a sixth season in the Gateway City, is spending the summer in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec with his fiancée Amanda Glancey to plan their wedding. The pair will exchange vows in July of 2009.
The Bucks are prominently featured in the May issue of Greater Laredo Magazine, with full page photo galleries of the teams post season party, and James Hiebert's autograph session at Lakeside Pharmacy.
Greater Laredo is a monthly Magazine, and is available throughout the city, in selected restaurants, banks, as well as City Hall. For more information regarding Greater Laredo Magazine, contact them at greaterlaredo@hotmail.com.
"Thank You Buck Fans!" By Steve Simoes (Published in Greater Laredo Magazine, may 2008 Issue)
I never expected to be playing hockey in Laredo. Actually, no one could ever have imagined having a hockey team in Laredo. A bunch of Canadians on ice, cheered on by Hispanics in the United States of America. For the last 6 seasons, we, the Laredo Bucks, have been in the community trying to make the city proud by playing a sport we love. The city sure has changed in that span, and we hope we have brought some sort of pride and respect for a city who's culture runs deep through everyone's veins. The community has welcomed us with open arms and embraced us as one of their own. So far south, so culturally different, and with a few language barriers at times, you all have taken us under your wing and made us feel at home. Even though we are far from our real families and friends back home, we quickly become a part of your family and community. The relationship first starts as a fan/athlete relationship, but then quickly turns to a friendship and then we are part of your Laredo family.
On behalf of all the players who have skated on LEC ice, I'd like to thank everyone that has so graciously accepted us all into your home. You may not realize it but you have helped us overcome many obstacles. When playing in front of our fans in our building, it absolutely gives us an advantage that is almost not fair to other teams, due to the fan support we receive. Other teams may say that every team has that advantage, but the truth is they don't. The dedication and love felt by our "friends" and "family" at the LEC can sway a game in our favor.
I can recall the second season, when we were fighting for our first championship. We were down in the series 3 games to 1 versus the Bossier/Shreveport Mudbugs. Game 5 was to be played in Shreveport, putting us in a corner, ready to be eliminated. However, I recall Terry telling us, "Boys, all we need to do is win this game and go home. We will win it all in Laredo." We squeaked out a win and returned to Laredo. For game 6, the arena was a sellout, and we were victorious, pushing a game 7. The final game had over 8,000 fans inside the building, and another 3,000 fans outside the LEC watching on giant screens. I remember vividly that from the middle point of the second period until the game was over, not one fan was in their seat, they were all standing. The energy that was in the LEC was like John Travolta said, "electrifying." We did win, and the rest is history. I still watch replays of the game once in a while, and get chills watching everyone wearing white, with towels waving, jumping for joy, just as excited as we were. As one, we won. Thank you.
From the players, front office and whole Bucks organization; I'd like to say thank you. From the season ticket holder in row AA to those who come for the first time, every one of you makes a difference. The more people that are at the game in the stands, the louder the LEC gets to give us more of a home ice advantage. I look forward to seeing you all next season at the LEC. Let's get the place rockin' like it was back then, and we will make you proud and win another championship, because anything less than that is disappointing. We didn't reach our goal this past season, but like the old saying goes. "There are two guarantees in life... Terry will put together a new group of players that will compete for the cup, and the Laredo Bucks fans will be there to help us succeed."
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