Two Mudbugs Nominated For CHL Awards
March 12, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - John DeCaro and Tyrel Lucas of the Mudbugs were announced today as finalists for the Central Hockey League's year-end awards. DeCaro garnered a pair of nominations for League MVP and Most Outstanding Goaltender, while Lucas is on the ballot for the CHL's Rookie of the Year award. The finalists for those awards and the league's Most Outstanding Defenseman were released earlier this week. Winners will be selected by CHL head coaches, communications staffers and selected media members.
DeCaro is in the running for the Most Valuable Player Award for the first time in just his second season of pro competition. The Marysville, Washington native is the only goaltender to be nominated for the honor this season and will be measured against four forwards in the voting. The other MVP candidates are: Jeff Bes-Laredo (2nd in the CHL with 43 goals and 100 points, leads the league with a +42 rating), Brent Cullaton-Rocky Mountain (2nd in the CHL with 68 assists, fourth with 88 points), Alex Leavitt-Arizona (CHL's leading scorer with 107 points and 73 assists), and Konrad Reeder-New Mexico (3rd in the CHL with 58 assists and 92 points, tied for 4th with 34 goals).
The 6'3", 208 lb., goaltender is also nominated for his second consecutive CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender Award. DeCaro won that honor last season as a rookie out of the University of Alaska-Anchorage and was also placed on the All-CHL and CHL All-Rookie teams. He is tied for the league lead with 24 wins on the season, sporting a record of 24-6-3 on the year. DeCaro also leads the CHL and is on pace to set new records in goals-against average (1.72), saves percentage (.938), and already owns the All-time league record with 10 shutouts this season. The other nominees for Most Outstanding Goaltender are: Andy Franck-Youngstown, Scott Reid-Rocky Mountain , Dustin Traylen-Laredo, and Alexandre Vincent-Odessa.
Lucas is among the five finalists for the CHL's Rookie of the Year Award. The first-year forward from Williams Lake, British Columbia is tied for fourth in the league among rookies with 22 goals on the season and is tied for the CHL rookie lead with six game-winning goals. His 12 powerplay goals lead the Mudbugs and are second among all rookies as well. Adding 13 assists for 35 total points, Lucas also sports a +10 rating, which is seventh best in rookie plus/minus. The other Rookie of the Year Finalists are: Andrew Desjardins-Laredo, Mark Kolanos-Arizona, David Nimmo-Amarillo, and Alexandre Vincent-Odessa.
The nominees for CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman are: Chris Bartolone-Arizona, Mike Burgoyne-Oklahoma City , Vladimir Hartinger-New Mexico, Adam Rivet-Laredo, and Aaron Schneekloth-Colorado.
Additional awards to be determined include Coach of the Year, Equipment Manager of the Year and Athletic Trainer of the Year, as determined by their CHL peers, along with six member All-CHL and All-Rookie teams. The CHL's regular season point leader will receive the Joe Burton Scoring Champion award, while the CHL front office will determine the recipients of both the Man of the Year (for outstanding leadership and contributions to the community) and Rick Kozuback (perseverance, determination and commitment to hockey) awards based on nominations and supporting material from CHL member teams.
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