The Laredo Bucks announced they have signed veteran forward Sylvain Deschatelets on Wednesday. Deschatelets has amassed 508 points in 492 career games in the AHL, ECHL, UHL & WCHL. (Photo Credit: Laredo Bucks)

The Bucks announced a signing today – Veteran puck wielder Sylvain Deschatelets will join the team, and is expected to be active against the Allen Americans when the Bucks face them on Thursday.  I’m familiar with the forward by name alone, but hadn’t really looked at his stats – pretty impressive when you look at them overall.  But, there’s a little bit of a decline over the last few years, perhaps, but he still looks like a very strong player.  I guess Laredo GM/Coach Terry Ruskowski is hoping he’s found a guy who flew under the radar that can help his team in the playoff push.

Also, the club announced they were releasing backup netminder Ryan Ford, and had placed Maxime Lincourt on the 14-Day IR.  Here is the press release:

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LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Wednesday that they have signed veteran forward Sylvain Deschatelets. Deschatelets is expected to be in the line-up Thursday when the Bucks travel to Allen.

The 30-year-old Deschatelets (day-SHAT-a-lay) is in his 10th professional season and has scored a total of 508 points (149-359=508) in 492 career games.

“We are in need of another scorer and I think Deschatelets is the guy we are looking for,” said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “He’s put up good numbers wherever he’s been and he’s highly regarded.”

Deschatelets, 6’2’’, 200 pounds, spent the last four seasons playing overseas where he put up a total of 192 points (68-124=168) in 145 games.

Deschatelets, a native of Bellville, Quebec, began this season playing in the Quebec Senior League before making his way to Laredo.

Last season Deschatelets, a native of Blainville, Quebec, scored 78 points (30-48=78) in 54 games for the EIHL’s Coventry Blaze.

In his professional career Deschatelets has played in a total of 347 professional games in the AHL, ECHL, UHL and WCHL.

Deschatelets put up a career high 81 (24-57=81) points in 2003-04 with the San Diego Gulls (ECHL).

In 1999-00 Deschatelets put up 100 points (41-59=100) in his final junior season in Quebec.

*FORD RELEASED, LINCOURT TO IR*

The Bucks also announced Wednesday that they have released Ryan Ford and placed Maxime Lincourt on the 14-day IR.

Ford played in six games for the Bucks picking up one point (0-1=1) and had a minus-three rating.

Lincourt has put up 18 points (9-9=18) in 36 games this season.

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LAREDO, TX – The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Wednesday that they have released rookie goaltenders Dan Spence and Gerry Festa.

The Bucks now have 20 players on their roster, which must be trimed to 19 by Thursday (Oct 15th), the day before the season opener at Bossier-Shreveport.

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ALLEN, Texas – The Americans announced the release of defenseman Tyler Scott and goaltender Drew O’Connell today. The roster currently has 19 players on it, the maximum number allowed by the league.

The club can carry more than 19 players until the league’s roster deadline of 3 p.m. CST Thursday, Oct. 15.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Meet and greet Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM
The Americans would like to invite all fans to a meet and greet at Boston’s Gourmet Pizza in McKinney Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This will be the first public appearance by the final team after the end of training camp. Players, coaches, Ice Angels and staff will be there to mix and mingle with fans. There will be happy hour specials and prizes given out. Boston’s, the official Allen Americans pre-game headquarters, is located at 6800 State Highway 121, McKinney, TX 75070.

Team Send Off Wednesday
Join us Oct. 14 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the front of the Allen Event Center as we wish our players luck when they head to Arizona for the first two games of the season. ESPN 103.3 FM will be on site giving out prizes. One lucky fan could win a limo ride and 4 tickets to the Stars game that night. Call 972.912.1000 for more details.

Plano Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Thursday
The Americans will host a ribbon cutting in conjunction with the Plano Chamber of Commerce Thursday, Oct. 15, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the Americans’ office in The Village at Allen. Light food and beverages will be served. Attendees can head over to Uncle Julio’s for happy hour drink specials from 5:00-7:00 p.m. afterward. The Americans office is located at 190 E. Stacy Road, Suite 1508, Allen, TX 75002.

Open House and Select-A-Seat Oct. 17, 24 and 31
On Oct. 17, 24 and 31, the Americans will be hosting an open house and select-a-seat event from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tours will leave every half hour from the lounge area of Dodie’s Place Sports Grill and last for 30 minutes. All tour participants will be required to sign a waiver of liability and must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.

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LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Monday that they have released six players from their training camp roster. The Bucks now have 23 players on the roster, which must be trimmed to 19 by October 15th, the day before the season opener at Bossier-Shreveport.

The Bucks released rookie forwards Blair Hawes, Matt McKeown, and Kevin Flather, as well as rookie defensemen Nick Williams, Drew Kivell and Ian Clarke.

The Bucks released David Croteau on Thursday

The Bucks announced the release of forward David Croteau today.  They have one more week to trim their sizable roster down to 19, the cap on roster size.  The Bucks currently have 26 players on their roster after the release of Croteau.

Laredo hits the ice again tomorrow for a pre-season game against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.  Vince Neil, of Mötley Crüe fame, will drop the first puck at the game.  The Bucks say admission is free for season ticket holders, and $5 for all other tickets, with proceeds going to benefit the Jr. Bucks.

Anyone going?  Snap some pictures and send them in…we’d love to see it here at BDH!