Laredo Bucks
Encyclopedia
The Laredo Bucks are an ice hockey
team in the Central Hockey League
. They play in Laredo, Texas
, USA at the Laredo Energy Arena.
After the success the Central Hockey League has had in South Texas in the past years, Laredo was encouraged to bring the first professional sports franchise into the city. The Bucks have proven successful, averaging attendance over 6,200 (78% capacity) in the regular season and nearly 6,500 (81% capacity) in the playoffs. The LEC Arena held 8,002 fans from 2002–2007, but was lowered to 6,500 starting with the 2007–08 season. The Bucks claimed the Ray Miron
President's Cup (CHL Championship) for the 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 seasons and the Governor's Cup (regular season Championship) in the 2003–2004 season. The Bucks won four straight Southern Conference Championships from 2004–2007, and have Southeast Division Championship for the last five years (2004–2008).
Until August 2007 the Laredo Bucks' AHL affiliate have always been the San Antonio Rampage
. From 2002–2005 (three seasons), the Bucks were affiliated with the Florida Panthers
(NHL
). The Bucks' NHL affiliate changed to the Phoenix Coyotes
for the 2005–2006 season.
, and defenceman Michel Periard
to Oklahoma City to compete in the CHL All-Star game. Chris Grenville captured the hardest shot award at the skills competition. The following season (03–04), Laredo sent players Patrik Nilson, Serge Dube
, Jeff Bes and Brent Cullaton. Cullaton captained the Southern Conference team and captured the fastest skater award, while Nilson won the accuracy shooting award. Coach Terry Ruskowski
and his staff coached the Southern Conference because the Bucks had the best winning percentage at the break. In 2005, Laredo sent another three players: Adam Paiment, Jeremy Symington and Brent Cullaton. The North went on to beat the South 14–13 in a shootout. Brent Cullaton won Fastest Skater title for the second time in a row. In 2006, Coach Ruskowski, forward Jeff Bes, right wing James Hiebert, and defensemen Serge Dube all earned a spot on the all-star team. Jeff Bes won the CHL Southern Conference All-Star MVP in that year for his four goal effort. The 2006–07 Bucks All-Stars were Ruskowski, Bobby Chaumont, Chris Korchinski, and Adam Rivet. In the 2007–08 season the Bucks had three players voted as starters in the all-star game. Jeff Bes (3rd), Serge Dube (3rd), and Dustin Traylen (1st) represented the Bucks. In the 2008-09 season in a strange CHL All-Star game the Bucks had two players called to the All-Star game Darryl Smith and Sebastien Centomo, Darryl Smith won the All-Star MVP.
The Bucks will host the CHL All-Star game in the 2009-10 season this will be the second time that Laredo will host the All-Star game and the 1st time a CHL team will host the event in the same arena twice (LEC). On June 2, 2009 The Laredo Bucks unveiled the format and logo for the 2010 CHL All Star game. The format will be South Texas (Laredo Bucks, Corpus Christi IceRays
, & Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
) vs. THE CHL ALL STARS which will be held on January 13, 2010.
2002–03
2003–04
2004–05
2005–06
2006–07
2007-08
2008-09
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team in the Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
. They play in Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
, USA at the Laredo Energy Arena.
History
Arena Ventures, made up of six businessmen, teamed up with the City of Laredo to build a state-of-the-art facility for the Laredo area and South Texas. On August 12, 2002, Laredo voters approved a tax increase to pay for the new arena, which cost $36.5 million. The arena is currently managed by SMG Management.After the success the Central Hockey League has had in South Texas in the past years, Laredo was encouraged to bring the first professional sports franchise into the city. The Bucks have proven successful, averaging attendance over 6,200 (78% capacity) in the regular season and nearly 6,500 (81% capacity) in the playoffs. The LEC Arena held 8,002 fans from 2002–2007, but was lowered to 6,500 starting with the 2007–08 season. The Bucks claimed the Ray Miron
Ray Miron
Ray Miron is the former owner of the new Central Hockey League, founded in 1992 by Miron and William "Bill" Levins, as well as a former National Hockey League executive, serving in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and as General Manager of the Colorado Rockies . They founded the league under...
President's Cup (CHL Championship) for the 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 seasons and the Governor's Cup (regular season Championship) in the 2003–2004 season. The Bucks won four straight Southern Conference Championships from 2004–2007, and have Southeast Division Championship for the last five years (2004–2008).
Until August 2007 the Laredo Bucks' AHL affiliate have always been the San Antonio Rampage
San Antonio Rampage
The San Antonio Rampage are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio, Texas. They are the top affiliate of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. Their home arena is the AT&T Center.-History:...
. From 2002–2005 (three seasons), the Bucks were affiliated with the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
(NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
). The Bucks' NHL affiliate changed to the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
for the 2005–2006 season.
All-Star games
The Bucks also hosted the CHL All-Star game in the 2004–2005 season. The Laredo Bucks have sent many players to the Annual Central Hockey League All-Star game. In the 2002–2003 season, Laredo sent forwards Chris Grenville, Eric SchneiderEric Schneider
Eric Schneider is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for EHC München in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga .During the 2002–03 CHL season, Schneider represented the Laredo Bucks in the CHL All-Star game....
, and defenceman Michel Periard
Michel Periard
Michel Periard is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played the 2010-11 season with the Mannheim Eagles of the DEL...
to Oklahoma City to compete in the CHL All-Star game. Chris Grenville captured the hardest shot award at the skills competition. The following season (03–04), Laredo sent players Patrik Nilson, Serge Dube
Serge Dube
Serge Dube is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently the head coach of the Laredo Bucks in the Central Hockey League.-Awards and honours:-External links:...
, Jeff Bes and Brent Cullaton. Cullaton captained the Southern Conference team and captured the fastest skater award, while Nilson won the accuracy shooting award. Coach Terry Ruskowski
Terry Ruskowski
Terry W. "Rosco" Ruskowski is a former National Hockey League centre, who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars....
and his staff coached the Southern Conference because the Bucks had the best winning percentage at the break. In 2005, Laredo sent another three players: Adam Paiment, Jeremy Symington and Brent Cullaton. The North went on to beat the South 14–13 in a shootout. Brent Cullaton won Fastest Skater title for the second time in a row. In 2006, Coach Ruskowski, forward Jeff Bes, right wing James Hiebert, and defensemen Serge Dube all earned a spot on the all-star team. Jeff Bes won the CHL Southern Conference All-Star MVP in that year for his four goal effort. The 2006–07 Bucks All-Stars were Ruskowski, Bobby Chaumont, Chris Korchinski, and Adam Rivet. In the 2007–08 season the Bucks had three players voted as starters in the all-star game. Jeff Bes (3rd), Serge Dube (3rd), and Dustin Traylen (1st) represented the Bucks. In the 2008-09 season in a strange CHL All-Star game the Bucks had two players called to the All-Star game Darryl Smith and Sebastien Centomo, Darryl Smith won the All-Star MVP.
The Bucks will host the CHL All-Star game in the 2009-10 season this will be the second time that Laredo will host the All-Star game and the 1st time a CHL team will host the event in the same arena twice (LEC). On June 2, 2009 The Laredo Bucks unveiled the format and logo for the 2010 CHL All Star game. The format will be South Texas (Laredo Bucks, Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi IceRays
The Corpus Christi IceRays are a Junior A ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League . The IceRays are based in Corpus Christi, Texas and play in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The "IceRays" moniker derives from the many different species of stingrays who...
, & Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees are a professional ice hockey team based in Hidalgo, Texas, and play their home games at State Farm Arena. They are a member of the Central Hockey League, and two time Central Hockey League franchise of the year...
) vs. THE CHL ALL STARS which will be held on January 13, 2010.
Rosco Era
Coach Ruskowski has coached the Laredo Bucks in all of the franchise history. In 2007, Ruskowski entered the final year of a four-year contract extension with the Bucks. Ruskowski told the Laredo Morning Times that his tenure was in the hands of Bucks chairman Glenn Hart, owner Julian "Kiki" DeAyala, and team president John Beckelhymer and that he had "full faith" that he will obtain his third contract with the club. Ruskowski's optimism paid off, for he was shortly thereafter given a "lifetime contract" as the Bucks' coach.Championships
| Year | League | Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | CHL Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs.... |
Ray Miron President's Cup Ray Miron President's Cup The Ray Miron President's Cup goes to the play-off champion of the Central Hockey League. The Ray Miron President's Cup has been awarded to teams since 2002. Prior to 2002, the playoff winner was awarded the Ray Miron Cup. The current cup is named after Ray Miron, one of the league's co-founders... |
| 2003–2004 | CHL Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs.... |
Ray Miron President's Cup Ray Miron President's Cup The Ray Miron President's Cup goes to the play-off champion of the Central Hockey League. The Ray Miron President's Cup has been awarded to teams since 2002. Prior to 2002, the playoff winner was awarded the Ray Miron Cup. The current cup is named after Ray Miron, one of the league's co-founders... |
Year-by-year record
| 2010–2011 | 66 | 24 | 34 | 8 | 194 | 228 | 56 | 8th,Berry Conference | |
| 2009–2010 | 64 | 32 | 20 | 12 | 218 | 215 | 3rd,Southeast | Lost First Series | |
| 2008–09 | 64 | 36 | 23 | 5 | 214 | 187 | 77 | 2nd, Southeast | Lost in Quarter Finals |
| 2007–08 | 64 | 42 | 19 | 3 | 233 | 161 | 87 | 1st, Southeast | Lost in Conference Championship Series |
| 2006–07 | 64 | 42 | 17 | 5 | 219 | 170 | 89 | 1st, Southeast | Lost in CHL Championship Series |
| 2005–06 | 64 | 43 | 15 | 6 | 237 | 156 | 92 | 1st, Southeast | CHL Champions |
| 2004–05 | 60 | 35 | 22 | 3 | 196 | 148 | 73 | 1st, Southeast | Lost in CHL Championship Series |
| 2003–04 | 64 | 48 | 8 | 8 | 262 | 145 | 104 | 1st, Southeast | CHL Champions |
| 2002–03 | 64 | 41 | 17 | 6 | 253 | 184 | 88 | 2nd, Southeast | Lost in Conference Championship Series |
Year-by-year summary
- 2002–2003 The Laredo Bucks did extremely well in their inaugural season, making their way to the Conference Finals in the CHL playoffs.
- 2003–2004 Led by head coach Terry Ruskowski, the Bucks won the CHL Championship in 2004, by defeating the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in overtime of the seventh game. Defenceman Dion Hyman scored a controversial overtime goal to win the championship. The Bucks averaged the highest playoff attendance in minor league hockey throughout the 2004 CHL Playoffs.
- 2004–2005 The Bucks battled from a .500 record at the all-star break to the CHL finals, which they lost to the Colorado EaglesColorado EaglesThe Colorado Eagles are a professional ice hockey team based in Loveland, Colorado. The Eagles play in the Mountain Division of the ECHL's Western Conference, where they serve as the "Double-A" affiliate of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets and the American Hockey League's St. John's IceCaps...
.
- 2005–2006 The Bucks enjoyed yet another successful season, finishing with 92 points (second in CHL) and defeating the Rio Grande Valley Killer BeesRio Grande Valley Killer BeesThe Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees are a professional ice hockey team based in Hidalgo, Texas, and play their home games at State Farm Arena. They are a member of the Central Hockey League, and two time Central Hockey League franchise of the year...
, Odessa JackalopesOdessa JackalopesThe Odessa Jackalopes were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Odessa, Texas. The team played in the Central Hockey League , and was an affiliate of the New York Islanders...
and the Bossier-Shreveport MudbugsBossier-Shreveport MudbugsThe Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs were a professional ice hockey team which played in the Bossier City-Shreveport metropolitan area of Louisiana. From 1997 to 2001 the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs were members of the Western Professional Hockey League, until the a 2001 merger between the WPHL with the...
en route to their second CHL championship in three years.
- 2006–2007 The Bucks once again won the Southeast Division Title with a 42–17–5 mark. The Bucks won playoff series' against division foes Rio Grande Valley, and Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi IceRaysThe Corpus Christi IceRays are a Junior A ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League . The IceRays are based in Corpus Christi, Texas and play in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The "IceRays" moniker derives from the many different species of stingrays who...
, while winning their fourth straight Southern Conference Title against New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. The Bucks fell in the President's Cup Finals in six games to Colorado.
- 2007–2008 The Bucks won their fifth straight Southeast Division title, going 42-19-3 (87 points). Laredo would then sweep the Southern Conference semi-finals against Odessa JackalopesOdessa JackalopesThe Odessa Jackalopes were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Odessa, Texas. The team played in the Central Hockey League , and was an affiliate of the New York Islanders...
four games to none, to advance to their sixth straight Southern Conference Finals series, only to lose to the eventual CHL Champion Arizona SundogsArizona SundogsThe Arizona Sundogs are a double-A minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Prescott Valley, Arizona that began play in the Central Hockey League in 2006 and celebrated its fifth anniversary season in 2010-11...
in a seven game series.
- 2008–2009 The Bucks battled through a tough season going through injuries and trades, going 36-23-5 (77 points). Laredo managed to grap the 3rd seed in the Southern Conference without Jeff Bes and face the Odessa JackalopesOdessa JackalopesThe Odessa Jackalopes were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Odessa, Texas. The team played in the Central Hockey League , and was an affiliate of the New York Islanders...
in the Quarter Finals, only to lose in game six.
Team records
Records are as of the conclusion of the 2008–2009 season.- Goals: 45 Chris Grenville (2002–03)
- Assists: 78 Jeff BesJeff BesJeff Bes , is a retired ice hockey centre who most recently played for the Laredo Bucks in the Central Hockey League...
(2003–04) - Points: 117 Jeff Bes (2003–04)
- Penalty Minutes: 300 Mike AmodeoMike AmodeoMichael Anthony Amodeo is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 300 games in the World Hockey Association and 19 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, and Winnipeg Jets.- References :...
(2003–04) - GAA: 2.03 Dov Grumet-MorrisDov Grumet-MorrisDov Grumet-Morris is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Lørenskog IK of the GET-ligaen in Norway.-Playing career:Dov attended Harvard University...
(2005–06) - SV%: .932 David Guerrera (2003–04)
- Career Goals: 180 Jeff Bes
- Career Assists: 330 Jeff Bes
- Career Points: 510 Jeff Bes
- Career Penalty Minutes: 948 James Hiebert
- Career Goaltending Wins: 43 David Guerrera
- Career Shutouts: 6 David Guerrera
- Career Games: 381 Serge DubeSerge DubeSerge Dube is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently the head coach of the Laredo Bucks in the Central Hockey League.-Awards and honours:-External links:...
- Playoff Goals: 16 Jeff Bes, 2007 Playoffs
- Playoff Assists: 20 Brent CullatonBrent CullatonBrent Cullaton is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player, and is now the head coach of the Boulder Junior Bison in the Western States Hockey League...
, Jeff Bes 2006 Playoffs - Playoff Points: 31 Jeff Bes, 2006 Playoffs
- Career Playoff Goals: 42 Jeff Bes
- Career Playoff Assists: 57 Jeff Bes
- Career Playoff Points: 99 Jeff Bes
- Career Playoff Games: 96 Steve Weidlich
Franchise records
- Most Goals in a season: 262 (2003–04)
- Least Goals Against in a season: 145 (2003–04)
- Most Points in a season: 104 (2003–04)
- Most Penalty Minutes in a season: 1,883 (2003–04)
- Most Wins in a season: 48 (2003–04)
- Consecutive victories in a season: 21 (2003–04)
- All Time Regular Season Wins: 287
- All Time Regular Season Losses: 121
- All Time Regular Seasons Overtime Losses: 36
- Games Played: 444
Individual achievements
Particular players and personnel that have been recognized numerous times by the CHLCentral Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
2002–03
- CHL Franchise of the Year: Laredo Bucks
- Most Outstanding Defenceman: Michel PeriardMichel PeriardMichel Periard is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played the 2010-11 season with the Mannheim Eagles of the DEL...
2003–04
- Regular season MVP: Jeff Bes
- Rookie of the Year: David Guerrera
- Playoff MVP: David Guerrera
- Ticket Executive of the Year: Kit Preston
2004–05
- Leadership Award: Glenn Hart
- Merchandise Franchise of the Year: Michelle Sanchez, Jennifer Beckelhymer, Cindy Cisneros
- Soul of Service: Nicole Thompson
2005–06
- CHL Most Outstanding Defenceman::Serge Dube
- CHL Coach of the Year:: Terry Ruskowski
- CHL Playoff MVP:: Jeff Bes
- CHL All-Rookie Team:: Adam Rivet
- CHL All-Rookie Team:: Dov Grumet-Morris
- CHL Certified Athletic Trainer of the Year:: Bobby Moore
- Rick Kozuback Award:: Glenn Hart
- CHL Broadcaster of the Year:: Joe Dominey
2006–07
- CHL Game Operations Franchise of the Year:: Mario Mecaroni, Danny Gutierrez
2007-08
- CHL Corporate Sponsorhip Franchise of the Year:
2008-09
- CHL Rookie of the Year::Darryl Smith
- CHL All-Rookie Team::Darryl Smith
- CHL All-Star MVP::Darryl Smith