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Trojans Come Marching to The Valley

September 30, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


ARMY OF TROJANS MAKE A STOP IN THE VALLEY

ROOKIE FORWARDS CRAIG BEZJACK AND CRAIG CLARE SEEK ROSTER SPOTS

HIDALGO, TX: September 30, 2003 – The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League have added two more players to their training camp roster with the signing of forwards Craig Bezjack and Craig Clare to tryout agreements for the 2003/2004 season.

"I had several coaches and players recommend these two players to me," said Killer Bees Head Coach Tracy Egeland. "They raise the level of talent we have in camp, and they will have the same opportunity as any other player in camp to make the opening night roster."

Bezjack, a 6'0" 190-pound native of Madden, Alberta, turns pro after three seasons at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), a member of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) and the same university attended by Killer Bees defenseman Mike Rees. The forward was a teammate of new addition Craig Clare at SAIT and comes off his finest college season with the Trojans after collecting 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points in 28 games played, as the SAIT Trojans posted a 23-5-0 record. Bezjack's college career totals include 25 goals and 26 assists for 51 points in 77 games. He played Jr. B hockey with the Carstairs Colts of the Alberta Heritage Jr. B Hockey League and Jr. A hockey with the Olds Grizzlies of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). Bezjack was named to the Olds' "Unsung Hero" honor in 98/99 and received the "Rock Solid" award the 99/00 season.

Clare is a 5'7" 180-pound forward that just completed three seasons as well for the SAIT Trojans. Last season, Clare tallied 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points in 23 games and was named Provincial Second Team All-Conference honors. His best season at SAIT was during the 01/02 season, as he contributed 28 goals and 23 assists for 51 points in 28 games. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native also earned Provincial First Team All-Star honors during the 01/02 season. He scored 48 goals and 51 assists for 98 points in 71 games in his college career. Prior to SAIT, he played Jr. A hockey in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Trail Smoke Eaters and was a teammate of Killer Bees forward Justin Van Parys. He earned "Rookie of the Year" honors during the 97/98 season and led the Smoke Eaters in the 98/99 season with 49 points off of 33 goals and 16 assists in 56 games to earn MVP honors.

The 24 year-old Bezjack and Clare make 20 players signed towards the Killer Bees training camp roster, and he joins goaltenders Kevin Block, Jeff Levy and Jacque Vezina, forwards Jason Abel, Jason Hawes, Matic Kralj, Troy Linna, Bill Newson, Dan Odegard, Justin Van Parys, Ryan Shmyr and Andrew Taylor, and defensemen Sean Gillam, Kevin Mackie, Mike Rees, Darcy Smith, Ryan Taylor and Jason Tessier. With less than 25 professional games played, Bezjack and Clare are classified as rookie/developmental players. CHL guidelines require all teams to carry at least three rookie/developmental players on the roster at all times. Bezjack and Clare place the Bees with six rookies signed, joining Block, Hawes, Odegard and Vezina. Head coach Tracy Egeland is available for interview, which can be arranged by contacting the Killer Bees office. Additional information on the two individuals can be attained by contacting Chris Due with the Killer Bees.



Central Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2003


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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