Bes
is Back
2004 CHL MVP returns to the Laredo Bucks for another run at the title.
10.06.04 – Laredo,
Texas– Seeking a repeat of their 2004 success, the Laredo Bucks have
re-signed Jeff Bes, a key componet of last year’s President’s
Cup Championship squad.
In a phenomanal
season capped by the league MVP Award, Bes led the CHL last year with a
career high 117 points.
Hailing
from Tillsonburg, Ontario, Jeff will embark on his 13th professional season
overall and second with Laredo. He was selected to start for the Southern
Conference team at the 2004 CHL All-Star Game in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“Jeff
was the MVP of the league and is a proven star player,” said Bucks
head coach Terry Ruskowski. “He is also a proven leader and a guy
that really helped us last year. When Brent Cullaton got called up to San
Antonio the last month and a half of the season, Jeff really put it into
another gear. He is a very important part of our team and I am very happy
he is coming back.”
Bes, 6’1”
190-pounds, led the CHL with 78 points as he helped the Bucks post a CHL
best 48-8-8 record and capture the 2003-04 CHL Governors’ Cup. He
was second in the league with 16 power play goals and third with 39 total
goals. He tied for the league lead with four shorthanded tallies.
In the
playoffs Bes was the second leading scorer in the CHL with 18 points, including
four goals, as he helped the Bucks become the first team in league history
to rally from a 3-1 finals series deficit and capture the President’s
Cup.
“Last
year was a tremendous season for the Laredo Bucks and I was thrilled to
be a part of it,” said Bes. “I came to Laredo looking for a
chance to win a championship and we were able to accomplish that goal.”
Bes, who
along with Cullaton and Chris Grenville comprised the potent ‘Three
Amigo’ line, had a CHL best 24-game point streak that was the second
longest in Bucks’ franchise history and led the CHL at plus 42.
“The
fan support is tremendous for the Bucks,” said Bes, a third round
selection of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1992 NHL draft. “It
is great going out and playing every night in a building that is full of
people rooting for you. I am very happy to be back with Laredo.”
