LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Bryan Benway,

July 21, 2010- LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced at a press conference Wednesday that former team captain Serge Dube has re-signed with the team for the 2010-11 campaign, his eighth full season with the franchise.

The announcement was made to the media and a large number of fans at the Laredo Federal Credit Union’s McPherson Branch.

Dube, an original Buck, retired from playing prior to the start of the 2009-10 season but returned to the ice for two games in February 2010 as the Bucks were dealing with multiple injuries.

Dube, who will turn 31 in August, has played seven full seasons in Laredo and has two Championship rings with the Bucks. Dube worked in the Bucks front office from June to November of 2010.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Serge Dube will be back in a Bucks uniform this season,” said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “Serge is one of the main reasons for our success here in Laredo and to have him back for another season is very big for our organization. We want to win another championship and Serge can help us do that.”

“I am very excited to play for the Laredo Bucks again this season,” Dube said. “I missed the game tremendously and cannot wait to get back on the ice in October and try and win our third ring here.”

Dube, who is considered one of the best defensemen in the CHL, was named the 2006 CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman, and is a three-time CHL All-Star (’04, ’06, ‘08).

Dube won the CHL Player of the Month award in November 2005, and the CHL Player of the Week award in January of 2004.

In his seven full seasons’ in Laredo, Dube is among the all-time franchise leaders in several categories. Dube is second all-time in games played with 383, fourth all-time in goals scored with 81, second all-time in assists with 245, and second all-time in points with 326.

“That’s the ultimate goal is to win a championship. And to have won two here means a lot to me,” Dube said. “We all want to win another one.”

In addition to winning two CHL Championships, Dube helped lead Laredo to four straight Southern Conference Championships (2004-2007), six straight Southern Conference Finals appearances (2003-2008), five straight Southeast Division Championships (2004-2008), and seven straight playoff appearances (2003-2009).

Dube was named Captain at the start of the 2006-07 season after Brent Cullaton left to play in the UHL. During his tenure as captain Dube led the Bucks to the 2007 Southern Conference title, as well as two Southeast Division crowns in 2006-07, and 2007-08. The Bucks were a combined 120-59-13 in his Dube’s three seasons as captain.

In 2008-09, his last full season with the Bucks, Dube put up 42 points (10-32=42) in 57 games, including five power-play goals and 13 power-play assists. In the 2009 playoff series against Odessa Dube scored three points (1-2=3) in six games.

In 2007-08 Dube, who is from Sudbury, Ontario but lives in Laredo, was selected to his third CHL All-Star game, as he had another solid year. Dube scored nine goals, handed out 37 assists for 46 points, in 57 games.

During the 2008 playoffs Dube knocked in two goals, with nine assists for 11 points. Six of his nine playoff assists were on the power-play.

In 2006-07 Dube put up 53 points (16-37=53) in 60 games in his first season as Captain. Dube picked up 12 (1-11=12) points in the 2007 postseason, leading Laredo to the Southern Conference Championship.

Dube and the Bucks won their second President’s Cup Title in 2005-06, and he played a large role. Dube scored 55 points (14-41=55) in the regular season, and put up nine points (3-6=9) in the 2006 Playoffs.

Dube played three games for the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage in 2005-06.

Dube began the 2004-05 campaign overseas with the Bracknell Bees, playing in 11 games before returning to Laredo.

Upon returning to the Bucks in 2004-05, Dube struggled with injuries, and missed a portion of the season. When he returned to the line-up on February 23, 2005, the Bucks were struggling with a 23-22-2 record. With Dube back in the line-up the Bucks finished up the regular season an incredible 12-0-1, capturing both the Southeast Division Title, and the Southern Conference Championship, before falling in the President’s Cup Finals.

Dube had his best statistical season in Laredo during the 2003-04 championship season. In 59 games Dube posted a career high 18-goals, with 50 assists, for 68 points, in helping the Bucks to a CHL-best 48-8-8 record- best all-time in the CHL. Dube scored the game-tying goal in game seven of the 2004 President’s Cup Finals, knotting the game at 2-2 nearly seven minutes into the third period. The Bucks would win their first Championship in overtime that night.

In the Bucks inaugural season in 2002-03 Dube, then a rookie, would score 46 points (10-36=46) in the regular season. In the 2003 Playoffs Dube knocked in six points (2-4=6).

Dube is the seventh Buck signed this offseason.

The Bucks will start their ninth CHL season on October 15th with their home opener October 23rd at Laredo Energy Arena. Season tickets are on sale now for the 2010-11 season. Call 718-BUCK (2825) to place our order now.

*2010-11 Bucks Signed Players (In order of Announced Signing)*

*Pier Pelletier- Goaltender- 6’2’’, 200lbs- St. Louis, Que.- DOB: 4/8/87 (2nd Year Pro)

09-10 Stats: 17 Games, 9-4-3 Record, 2.88 G.A.A, .915 sv. %

Last team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Derek Scanlon- Defenseman- 6’0’’, 180lbs- Marlborough, MA – (1st Year Pro)

09-10 Stats: 55 Games, 18 Goals, 38 Assists, 56 Points, 132 PIMS (WSHL All-Star)

Last team: Boulder Jr. Bison (WSHL)

*Ryan Lehr- Defenseman- 6’2’’, 205lbs- Summerside, PEI- DOB: 5/9/86 (1st Year Pro)

09-10 Stats: 10 Games, 2 Goals, 4 Assists, 6 Points, 17 PIM’s

Last team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Daniel Koger- Forward- 6’1’’, 160- Hungary- DOB: 11/10/89 (4th Year Pro)

09-10 Stats: 45 Games, 7 Goals, 9 Assists, 16 Points

Last Team: Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan HC (Aust)

*Zeanan Ziemer- Forward- 5’10’’, 190lbs- Brandon, MAN (1st Year Pro)

09-10 Stats: 25 Goals, 51 Assists, 76 Points, 121 PIM’s

Last Team: Dauphin Kings (MJHL)

*Justin Michaud- Forward- 6’2’’, 220lbs- Selkirk, MAN (1st Year Pro)

09-10 Stats: 52 Games, 6 Goals, 9 Assists, 15 Points, 147 PIM’s

Last Team: Dauphin Kings (MJHL)

*Serge Dube- Defenseman- 5’’11, 200lbs- Sudbury, ON (9th Year Pro)

09-10 Stats: 2 Games, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)