Mudbugs Hockey Blog

One of the very things that led to the Mudbug’s demise in the 2009-10 playoffs could very well be the same thing said about the start of this upcoming season. And that would be goaltending.

With the retirement of long time Mudbug caped crusader Kenny Carroll, as well as the question marks still surrounding the health of last season starter John DeCaro, one has to wonder.

We have all heard the cliché “ go out and give it all you got”.  This team did just that in last season’s playoffs. They gave everything they had left in the tank, but it just wasn’t enough.  The players as well as the fans were left with holes in their hearts. However, the fans were also left with a feeling of pride, compassion, and respect for their team’s gallant effort. The end of the line was disappointing, but not a disappointment per say.

The Mudbugs achieved so much despite the huge adversity that surrounded one of the most crucial parts (if not “the” most) of their team with the unfortunate rash of injuries to their goaltenders. To go through (4) four different players between the pipes in one playoff season is rare. Will it be something to build on for this upcoming season?  Without question. I think it will also become a measuring stick for years to come as to the sacrifice it takes to play in the post season, despite not achieving the ultimate prize.

The upcoming campaign will mark the first time in 8 straight seasons without Kenny Carroll on the team roster that dates all the way back to the Mudbugs 2002-03 season. The only season he missed in his 10 seasons with the team was in 2001-02, when he jumped between the AHL and ECHL. He then returned to the team to which he had previously won the WPHL Presidents Cup in 2000-01.

Who then will the Mudbugs have to open the season as their starter, as well as at backup? John DeCaro has already signed to play this next season. The question is, will the severity of his injury he sustained in last year’s playoffs keep him from being ready to go by the October 15th season opener? Or will we see (2) two new netminders on the opening night game roster? When is the last time that has happened?

I will close now with this thought or wish if you like. “Is it snowing somewhere yet?”  Then it’s almost time for the best game on the planet to begin. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

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If you look at the roster from last season, then compare it to who the Mudbugs have already signed, here are my predictions of who are left.

I think everyone can agree the first line is set, now that the final piece of the puzzle had been signed this past week. Jeff Kryzakos, Shawn Limpright, centered by CHL hall of famer Travis Clayton. The famous “CLicK line”. This line was dominant through most of last season, and I see no reason they can’t live up to that label this season as well.

Next comes Brett Smith, David “Mr. Michigan” Rutherford, and who I will predict will be Joe Blaznek. Joe will fill the Mudbugs 4th and final vet spot. A spot well filled by any standards. You could call them a 2nd line, but I think there are several teams that could very easily call the trio their 1st line. Continue Reading »

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I realized I haven’t written in quite sometime, but the off-season is almost over. Time to get back into the swing of things. Why is it that the 4 months without Mudbugs Hockey seem to take forever, while conversely, the 8  months to follow fly by at the blink of an eye? How it is perceived is my guess.

I hope everyone is enjoying a great summer, despite the melting heat. It seems as soon as we start talking NHL Football, hockey season is just around the corner. So I better get going and get back into practice if I am going to once again post Game Reviews for another season. Continue Reading »

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Rapid City was voted to be the host city and team of the 2010-11 All-Star game. Congratulations to the entire organization. The format for the game will be whomever is on the Rapid City Rush roster sheet at the time of the game. They will play host to the chosen few from the other 17 teams in the league.

So in other words if the Rush were to only have 4-5 players on their team worthy of being chosen to such a game, does that mean that rest of the roster will be in a sense taking up spots that should be filled by All-Star caliber players? Continue Reading »

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Just when I was getting used to the idea of two conferences instead of 4 divisions, the amazingly gifted hammerheads from the league decide on leaving 2 out of 18 teams out of the playoffs.

The press release from the league says:

• A total of sixteen (16) of eighteen (18) teams will qualify for the post-season, consisting of eight (8) clubs from each conference. 

Are you kidding me, 8 of the 9 teams qualify? Just when I thought the Conference setup was going to make it competitive, they throw this mess in our face. Why don’t we just start the playoffs now?  Heck, all you have to do is eliminate a total of 2 teams and the other 16 teams can prepare for the post-season. Continue Reading »

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I have tried 1 million and one ways to go about the best way I thought possible to align the Conferences and Divisions. I found that no matter how its done, one division ends up with more travel than all the rest.

So what I did was cut a line across the map, in effect leaving 9 teams above and 9 teams below the line. Let’s call it the CHL version of the Mason-Dixon line.

It is setup with a Northern Conference – to include a Northeast Division and a Northwest Division. A Southern Conference – to include a Southeast Division and a Southwest Division. This how it will look with the 18 (so far) teams in place, as I predict anyway. Continue Reading »

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It has been forever since the news of the pseudo-merger between the IHL and CHL, with only bits and pieces for fans to nibble on, the fans are getting more restless everyday. I have this distinct feeling in my gut that tells me there will be nothing substantial for quite some time.

What’s up with the name? A Super-League? Hello! I think it’s called the National Hockey League. The only way in my mind it could ever be called a Super League as such, is to combine every AA league into one. Then setup divisions according to geography. All combined there would approximately 40 teams, more or less. Who wants approximately 10 teams in each division?

The season is said to begin the 2010-11 campaign with 18 teams total, that’s 15-2(CHL)+6-2+1(IHL) divided by 18 = 1 Central Hockey league. Had to get my calculator out for that one. Question is, will the CHL teams really be affected all that much? Continue Reading »

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Amongst the many awards decided upon at the for-everlasting Central Hockey League’s 15th annual Summer Conference, there was one that stands out for us Mudbug fans. Travis Huntington was voted the distinct honor as ‘09-10 CHL Broadcaster of the Year.

Travis has been with the Mudbugs as Director of Communications and Broadcasting since joining the team in September of 2007. He was also nominated for the CHL’s Broadcaster of the Year award in both of his first two seasons as well.

Some may have forgotten that he was also voted as the play-by-play broadcaster for the 2009 CHL All-Star Game in Loveland, Colorado. Oh! Yes we are blessed by the excellence by the “voice from above”. Continue Reading »

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Just when the Central Hockey League was looking to bolster their membership of teams, two teams jump ship. The Amarillo Gorillas, who had previously announced they will not be returning for the 2010-11 season, faded into the sunset, then suddenly arose.

The NAHL official website says, “The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has accepted the membership application for an expansion team in Amarillo, Texas, to begin play for the 2010-11 season.”

The Corpus Christi IceRays had just recently announced they will also jump ship to the NAHL. “The Caller-Times has learned the IceRays plan to leave the Central Hockey League after 12 seasons in the professional ranks.” Continue Reading »

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