Laredo Bucks Sign Forward Curtis Billsten; Lance Monych to IR

The Laredo Bucks announced today they have signed forward Curtis Billsten to a contract for the 2009-10 season.

It’s a busy day for news today!  Here’s some roster news out of Laredo – the Bucks have signed forward Curtis Billsten, and also announced that Lance Monych has been placed on the 14-day IR. Please read the following press release:

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LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Tuesday that they have signed forward Curtis Billsten for the 2009-10 season. Billsten is in his second professional season, and his first in the CHL. Billsten is expected to be in the line-up Wednesday when the Bucks travel to Rio Grande Valley.

Last season Billsten (pronounced Bill-STEEN) put up a total of 39 points (11-28=39) in 62 games for the ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings and Idaho Steelheads. Billsten played 60 of his 62 games last season with Victoria.

“Curtis has been on our radar for a while, I’m finally glad to get him on our roster,” said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “We think that he is capable of big things for us here.”

Billsten had six multi-point games last season, including one multi-goal game (Jan. 2nd vs. Bakersfield). Billsten notched a career high four assists in the Salmon Kings March 11th game against Ontario.

Prior to turning pro last season the 23-year-old Billsten played one-season of college hockey for the University of British Columbia (CWUAA) where he was named to the Western Conference All-Freshman team. Billsten put up 25 points (11-14=25) in 27 games that season.

The 6’3’’, 220 pound Billsten had a successful four-year junior career scoring a total of 177 points (78-99=177) in 325 games in the WHL and AJHL.

In 2006-07 Billsten, from Calgary, Alberta, put up career highs in goals (24), assists (40), points (64) and PIM’s (96) while playing for the Kootenay Ice (WHL).

During the 2003-04 season Billsten helped the Everett Silvertips become the first WHL expansion team to win a division and advance to the WHL Championship Finals, when he put up 20 points (8-12=20) in 63 games.

*MONYCH TO IR*

The Bucks also announced Tuesday that Lance Monych has been placed on the 14-day IR, retroactive to November 27th.

Monych missed the Bucks last two games with a lower-body injury.

The 25-year-old Monych has 10 points (4-6=10) in 14 games with the Bucks this season.