Mudbugs Trade Popular Veteran

The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League announced the trade of veteran defenseman Craig Minard to the Lubbock Cotton Kings in exchange for rookie defenseman Brian Sutherland. Minard, 31, joins Lubbock after playing the past five seasons with Bossier-Shreveport. He leaves after his best season as a pro, playing in 55 games during the 2005-06 season and reaching his highest point total in his career with 37. "You reach a situation where you have numerous veteran players on your team and it forces you to make tough decisions," said Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "Craig has given the fans, the community and especially the franchise so much over the last five years. It`s difficult to let him go but I`m confident he will be a tremendous addition to the roster in Lubbock." Minard leaves behind a long list of accomplishments in Bossier- Shreveport. His 33 assists were the highest total in a season by a Mudbugs defenseman in franchise history. He also holds several other franchise records. Minard is third all-time in points for a defenseman with 118 and is seventh all-time in games played in Mudbugs history. Sutherland joins the Mudbugs after playing four years at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. The 25-year-old from Halifax, is the latest addition to the 2006-07 Mudbugs roster. Sutherland totaled 15 points in 71 games at Acadia. "Brian was one of the best in the CIS tournament last year and we are looking forward to working with him," said Muscutt. Sutherland joins his brother, Robbie, who signed with the Mudbugs last week. The 10th anniversary of Mudbugs hockey begins Friday, October 20th when the team travels to Oklahoma City for the season opener against the Blazers. The Mudbugs will open the season at home against the Laredo Bucks at 7:05 PM on October 26th. The 2007 Central Hockey League All-Star game will be played on January 17th at the CenturyTel Center. Season ticket packages are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS or by visiting www.mudbugshockey.com.