PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. – It was a star-studded evening in Prescott Valley, Arizona on Wednesday night as the 2012 CHL All-Star Game took place at Tim’s Toyota Center with the host Arizona Sundogs taking on a team of CHL All-Stars. The stars were bright as the CHL All-Stars defeated the Sundogs by a 6-4 score in front of 4,479 fans. Quad City’s Brandon Marino earned the game’s Most Valuable Player honors with the game winning goal and three assists (along with a +4 plus/minus rating). The MVP honor for the home team went to Kevin Petovello who scored a pair of goals. The Co-MVP awards featured a Kindle Fire for both players presented by Sher-Wood Hockey Inc. The Sundogs equaled the most shots ever in a CHL All-Star Game out-gunning the CHL team 75-51. There was great flow in the opening period with both teams seeing numerous scoring chances, as you would expect in an all-star game. The first shot of the game came from Todd Robinson (Evansville) which actually was more of a pass that Scott Reid had to be sharp on kicking it away. In fact, Reid was sharp throughout most of the first period stopping the first 16 shots he faced before allowing a goal by Matt Robinson (Wichita) off a terrific feed from Todd Robinson. That would tie the game at one goal apiece as the Sundogs got on the board first with a nice shot from Kevin Petovello, assisted by Luke Erickson and Zach Carriveau at the 2:04 mark of the opening period. The Sundogs had the best scoring chances early on with goaltender Nick Boucher (Fort Wayne) stopping Craig Macdonald on one rush and then later avoiding damage on a 3-on-0 rush and a 3-on-1 rush that led to Petovello having an empty net to shoot at but just missing the mark. The All-Stars would take their first lead at the 16:22 mark with Bruce Graham making an unreal move to get Reid out of position and allow him plenty of room to tuck the puck into the net. The lone assist on the goal went to Brandon Marino (Quad City). The Sundogs out shot the All-Stars 23-22 in the period with Reid making 20 saves and Boucher finishing the period with 22 saves as the All-Stars led 2-1 after a fast-paced 20 minutes. It didn’t take long for the Sundogs to pull even as Jesse Perrin centered a pass to the front of the net at the with a lot of traffic bearing down on Boucher and the puck redirected and found its way into the cage tying the game at two. The All-Stars would regain the lead at the 7:35 mark with Matt Robinson finding space to the side of the net with a good bounce leading the puck to his stick.  Robinson’s goal is his fifth in all-star game play and his second of the night.  Marino and Riley Weselowski (Rapid City) earned the assists. Just before the two clubs changed goaltenders midway through the game, the Sundogs would tie it up. Samson Mahbod made a great pass to an open Petovello and he buried the shot for his second goal of the night.  Boucher would leave the game with 36 saves on 39 shots and Reid stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced. Goaltending may have been the story of the middle frame with Boucher robbing several Sundogs including Tyler Matheson twice and Luke Erickson, all three chances right in front of the net. Reid’s replacement, Mike Spillane, made maybe the best two saves of the night at the 15:00 mark of the period stopping a blast from the circle and then following that up with a sprawling save on the rebound. Then in the final second of the period, Mark Guggenberger (Texas) somehow got his stick on a Sundogs breakaway by Craig Macdonald keeping the game tied after 40 minutes. The Brahmas’ rookie netminder stopped all 10 shots he faced in the period. The All-Stars took the lead back with a nice rush off a Sundogs turnover. The play ended with a Brett Smith (Fort Wayne) one-time off a feed from Brett Lutes (Dayton). Todd Robinson also earned an assist, his second of the game.  The home team wasn’t done as with 6:40 remaining in the final period, Samson Mahbod tied the game getting the first shot past Guggenberger, ending his bid for perfection.  Marino capped his starry night with a beautiful goal scored at the 16:01 mark as he danced through the defense and backhanding a shot over Spillane. Jeff Terminesi (Tulsa) added an empty net goal putting the game away giving the All-Stars the decision. Guggenberger was outstanding earning the win with 35 saves. Spillane took the loss, stopping 21 of 23 shots. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Central Hockey League announced today Joe Burton, Rick Kozuback and Brad Treliving have been elected as the ‘Class of 2012’ and the first class to be inducted into the newly formed Central Hockey League Hall of Fame.  The announcement was made at the 2012 CHL All-Star Banquet in Northern Arizona, the site of the 2012 CHL All-Star Game. Burton enters the Hall in the ‘Player’ Category and both Kozuback and Treliving enter in the ‘Builder’ Category. “It is with great honor that we open the doors of the CHL Hall of Fame and invite these three distinguished gentlemen inside,” CHL Commisioner Duane Lewis said. “No player has done more in the league than Joe Burton and Rick Kozuback and Brad Treliving have been key contributors not only to the CHL but to the sport of hockey. The election as the inaugural class of the CHL Hall of Fame is well deserved for these three individuals.” The three inductees were determined through a process conducted by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee chaired by N. Thomas Berry, CHL Commissioner Emeritus, and ultimately required unanimous selection by committee members.  The CHL Hall of Fame will induct no more than five people each year with a maximum of three players with the categories being ‘Player’, ‘Official’ and ‘Builder’.  Joe Burton, a native of Garden City, Michigan, played 11 seasons in the CHL, all with the Oklahoma City Blazers, from 1992-2003. An all-star for six straight seasons (1998-2003), Burton is the all-time leading scorer in CHL history recording 985 points and has scored more goals (565) than any other player in the history of the league. The league’s annual scoring championship shares his name as the ‘Joe Burton Award’.  A veteran of 708 CHL games (third most in league history), Burton helped guide the Blazers to the 2001 Ray Miron Cup with 110 points (51 G, 59 A) during the regular season and 11 more (5 G, 6 A) in 13 post-season games. Burton was twice recognized as the CHL’s Most Valuable Player (1998 and 2001). “When I heard about this honor, I was honestly speechless,” Burton said.  “As a youngster, I only dreamed about becoming a hockey player and then as a teenager you hope that you get the opportunity to keep playing at a higher level. But as a person with the chance to play professional hockey, the last thing on your ‘to do’ list is to a make a hall of fame. The CHL and Oklahoma City became my second family and I am truly grateful to be honored in this way.” Rick Kozuback was the original President and one of the founders of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) in 1996. Kozuback has been in the hockey industry for more than three decades playing Canadian Junior Hockey and then moving on to coach and manage various teams including the Head Coach and General Manager of the Tri-Cities Americans of the Western Hockey League for two seasons and the Associate Coach of the Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League and farm team to the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings during the 1993-94 season. From 1982-86, Kozuback was Owner, General Manager and Head Coach of the Penticton Knights Junior A Hockey team guiding them to the Canadian Championship in 1985-86. In May of 2001, Kozuback served as a key player in the joining of the WPHL and the CHL into one league, operating as the Central Hockey League.  Each year, the Rick Kozuback Award is given to a CHL owner, front office member, coach or player for showing qualities of perseverance, endurance and commitment towards the league and the sport. 

“I am honored and humbled to be part of the inaugural class of inductees into the CHL Hall of Fame,” Kozuback said. “Being involved in the inception of the WPHL in 1995 and the Joint Operating Agreement with the CHL in 2001 has given me many wonderful memories, tremendous friendships and numerous challenges. I am indebted to many people who have made this opportunity possible and without whom, the CHL as we know it would not be in existence. I am thankful for the faith that Jim Treliving and George Melville showed in 1995 by choosing to believe in our WPHL model and for Brad Treliving who worked in partnership with me over so many of our growth years. Thank you for recognizing me in the class of 2012.” Brad Treliving, a native of Penticton, British Columbia, was one of the founders of the WPHL in 1996 and served as Vice-President and Director of Hockey Operations for five years. He also was key in the combining of the CHL and WPHL in 2001 which began his seven-year tenure as the President of the CHL. During six of his seasons as the league’s President, the CHL led all North American ‘AA’ professional hockey leagues in attendance and each year, the league’s top executive is given the Brad Treliving Executive of the Year Award.  Treliving left the CHL to become the Assistant General Manager of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, a post he still holds today. Prior to his front office career, Treliving played professional hockey for five seasons including stints with Indianapolis in the IHL and both New Haven and Prince Edward Island in the American Hockey League.  “It is a great honor to be included in the inaugural class of the CHL Hall of Fame,” Treliving said. “I feel very fortunate to have been a part of so many wonderful years working with and meeting so many wonderful people.  The experiences, friendships and memories I take with me from my time in the CHL remain with me today and I am very grateful for this honor.” Contact c omments@prohockeynews.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The 2012 Central Hockey League All-Star Game is set for Wednesday night in Arizona at Tim’s Toyota Center with the host Arizona Sundogs taking on a team of CHL All-Stars. Today, the head coach of the CHL All-Stars, Dwight Mullins (Allen Americans) announced that Laredo’s Adam Rivet  will be the team’s Captain and Allen’s Bruce Graham and Evansville’s Todd Robinson will be the game’s Alternate Captains. Rivet is an all-star veteran playing in his 3rd All-Star Game. The 31-year-old Fort Erie, Ontario native is playing in his seventh season with the Laredo Bucks sitting with 250 points (85 G, 165 A) in 358 games with the team. Rivet serves as the Captain for the Bucks.

Graham has been selected to play in each of the last three All-Star Games (unable to attend last season’s game in Rapid City) with this season marking the first time he has been voted as a starter for the game. The Moncton, New Brunswick native has 194 points (82 G, 112 A) in 153 career games with the Americans. Robinson is playing in his first CHL All-Star Game but the highly decorated forward is considered one of the greatest scorers ever in minor professional hockey. In 92 career CHL games, the Trail, British Columbia native has scored 146 points (39 G, 107 A) seeing action with Evansville this season and the Odessa Jackalopes last season. In addition, Wichita defenseman Andrew Martens and Allen goaltender Marco Cousineau will each miss Wednesday’s All-Star Game due to both being on call-ups with the American Hockey League. Martens was voted a starter for Wednesday’s games but will be replaced in the starting line-up by Rivet. Cousineau was called-up on Monday by the Syracuse Crunch and Martens has been up with the Oklahoma City Barons since December 28th. The 2012 CHL All-Star Game will be available live on CHL-TV on Wednesday night for the standard individual game rate, $7.00.  Visit  http://chltv.neulion.com/chltv/ for ordering information. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com

TEMPE, Ariz. – The 2011-12 Central Hockey League  schedule has been officially released with the 462-game season beginning on Friday, October 21 in four locations and concluding on Sunday, March 25 with five contests.  T his year will be a historic one for the CHL marking its 20th-Anniversary Season. Each of the CHL’s 14 member clubs will play a 66-game schedule with 33 home games and 33 road games. Weekends comprise a large majority of the schedule as 76% of the games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (352 of the 462 games will occur over the weekends). CHL Master Schedule CHL 2011-12 Schedule (Calendar View) Opening weekend will see eight teams open their home schedules with the Rapid City Rush and Wichita Thunder marking the first game of the new season in the Thunder’s home opener on Friday, October 21. Also opening on the weekend of October 21 will be the Arizona Sundogs, Allen Americans, Bloomington Blaze, Fort Wayne Komets, Quad City Mallards, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and Texas Brahmas. Three home openers will take place on October 28 (Laredo, Rapid City and Tulsa) and the remaining three home openers will all happen on Saturday, November 5 (Dayton, Evansville and Missouri). The Evansville IceMen will play their first game in the new Evansville Arena on November 5 when they host the Fort Wayne Komets. The new state-of-the-art facility will hold 11,000 fans for hockey. There will be several games on the Holidays as the Fort Wayne Komets will host a Thanksgiving Day game for the 50th straight season when they host the CHL’s newest club, the Bloomington Blaze. The Tulsa Oilers will host the Laredo Bucks on Thanksgiving and will host the Wichita Thunder on Christmas Day in the lone match-up on December 25. The 2011-12 campaign not only marks a historic milestone for the CHL but also for two of its original teams, the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder, who both will be embarking on their 20th seasons in the league. The Fort Wayne Komets are also celebrating a milestone season playing in their 60th campaign and the Laredo Bucks will be participating in their 10th-Anniversary season. 2011-12 Central Hockey League Home Openers Allen Americans – Friday, October 21 vs. Tulsa Arizona Sundogs – Friday, October 21 vs. Laredo Bloomington Blaze – Saturday, October 22 vs. Dayton Dayton Gems – Saturday, November 5 vs. Quad City Evansville IceMen – Saturday, November 5 vs. Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Komets – Saturday, October 22 vs. Evansville Laredo Bucks – Friday, October 28 vs. Rio Grande Valley Missouri Mavericks – Saturday, November 5 vs. Wichita Quad City Mallards – Saturday, October 22 vs. Rapid City Rapid City Rush – Friday, October 28 vs. Dayton Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – Friday, October 21 vs. Missouri Texas Brahmas – Saturday, October 22 vs. Tulsa Tulsa Oilers – Friday, October 28 vs. Wichita Wichita Thunder – Friday, October 21 vs. Rapid City 2011-12 Central Hockey League Schedule Highlights October 28 -After coaching the Laredo Bucks for the past nine season, Terry Ruskowski will lead his new team and top rival of the Bucks, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, into the Laredo Energy Arena for the first time. -The Texas Brahmas and the Allen Americans play the first of 11 match-ups between the two teams that have the shortest distance between them (41 miles). The Americans won nine of the 11 games last season.  November 4 -In the first game of a home-and-home series, the Missouri Mavericks and Wichita Thunder battle for the first time in a re-match of last season’s thrilling opening round playoff battle that saw Missouri win three games to two. November 5 -The Evansville IceMen will be playing the first hockey game in the brand-new Evansville Arena when they host the Fort Wayne Komets in the first of 12 games between the two rivals. November 11 -On 11/11/11, the CHL will see a full slate of action with seven games scheduled.  The Veteran’s Day line-up includes Evansville at Dayton, Allen at Laredo, Tulsa at Missouri, Fort Wayne at Rapid City, Arizona at Rio Grande Valley, Bloomington at Texas and Quad City at Wichita. November 18 -The Allen Americans will host the Rapid City Rush in the first of back-to-back games in what will be a rematch of the 2010 CHL Finals. A series that saw the Rush defeat the Americans in double overtime of a thrilling six-game series to win the Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup.  The Rush and Americans will also meet on November 19 and March 13. November 24 -The Fort Wayne Komets will host the Bloomington Blaze on Thanksgiving Day marking one of two ‘Turkey Day’ games, the Tulsa Oilers will host the Laredo Bucks also.  For the Komets, it will mark the 50th straight season they will play host to a game on Thanksgiving Day (Fort Wayne is 31-14-4 on Thanksgiving Day). December 25 -The Tulsa Oilers are scheduled to play at home for the third straight season on Christmas Day as they are tabbed to play the Wichita Thunder. The Oilers defeated the Thunder 6-5 last season and were snowed out during the 2009-10 season. December 31 -In the final day for games in 2011, there are seven games on the calendar as Allen, Arizona, Dayton, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Missouri and Rapid City all host New Year’s Eve games. January 11 -The Arizona Sundogs will be the host for the 2012 CHL All-Star Game where the Sundogs will host a team of CHL All-Stars comprised of players from the other 13 CHL teams. January 16 -The Allen Americans will host the Tulsa Oilers on Martin Luther King Day with a special 1:05 PM (CST) start time. February 14 -Valentine’s Day will serve host to six CHL games including a match-up with the Laredo Bucks playing at the Wichita Thunder in a battle between the two-time CHL Champion Bucks (2004 & 2006) and the two-time CHL Champion Thunder (1994 & 1995). March 25 -The CHL’s 20th-Anniversary season comes to an end with the close of the regular season and five games on the docket.  The match-ups include Missouri at Tulsa, Laredo at Rio Grande Valley, Wichita at Allen, Dayton at Fort Wayne and Evansville at Texas. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com

TEMPE, Ariz. – In a press conference at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas on Thursday morning, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees announced that they will be a participating team in the Central Hockey League for the 2011-12 season. It will mark the ninth season of play for the Killer Bees. The team has been purchased by a new ownership group, Hidalgo Sports, LLC. The majority of this group had owned the Killer Bees from the franchise’s inception in 2003 through 2007. “We are very pleased to announce that the ownership group, headed by Joe Sakulenzki, will be the new owners of the Killer Bees,” Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner said. “With their previous ownership and management of the team we know they are able to hit the ground running, knowing the market and operations of a professional hockey team in the Valley.” The Killer Bees have twice been recognized as the CHL’s Franchise of the Year (2004-05 & 2008-09) and this season finished with the second highest attendance in the Berry Conference (seventh overall with an average attendance of 4,363 fans). “We are very excited to keep hockey in the Valley,” Sakulenzki said. “The Killer Bees are a top level organization and we believe we can create exciting, competitive, and economically sound hockey with this franchise.” Contact comments@prohockeynews.com

TEMPE, Ariz. – Fresh off the completion of the 2010-11 season, the Central Hockey League announced on Friday that a total of 84 regular season games were played in front of capacity crowds, marking the most in any single season in the 19-year history of the league.  This beats the high-mark set during the 2009-10 season when 81 regular season games were played in front of sold out crowds. Combining the regular season and the playoffs, there were 97 sellouts in the league this season accounting for 15% of the games played. With an increase of close to 10%, the Missouri Mavericks led the league in increased average attendance seeing their average rise from 4,935 fans in 2009-10 to 5,406 fans in 2010-11. The Mavericks finished the season with 18 sellouts (17 during the regular season).  Finishing second in increased average attendance was the Wichita Thunder, who finished with an average of 5,342 fans (a 6% increase from the 2009-10 season).  2010-11 CHL attendance figures by team:

TEAM	TOTAL	GAMES	AVERAGE
Fort Wayne	268,572	36	7,460
Missouri	178,425	33	5,406
Wichita	176,310	33	5,342
Colorado	174,537	33	5,289
Rapid City	162,477	33	4,923
Tulsa	155,769	33	4,720
Rio Grande Valley	143,981	33	4,363
Allen	131,548	33	3,986
Laredo	117,933	33	3,573
Bossier-Shreveport	111,209	33	3,369
Mississippi	106,774	33	3,235
Odessa	94,939	33	2,876
Quad City	94,737	33	2,870
Bloomington	85,907	33	2,603
Texas	72,204	33	2,188
Arizona	70,978	33	2,150
Dayton	61,959	33	1,877
Evansville	39,870	30	1,329
TOTALS:	2,248,129	594	3,784

Fort Wayne led the league in attendance averaging 7,460 fans with two sellouts of 10,480 fans, while Missouri finished second with an average of 5,406. The Rapid City Rush finished the year with 15 total sellouts (14 during the regular season) and raised their average attendance by more than 100 fans finishing the regular season with an average of 4,923 fans. The Colorado Eagles once again sold out all of their regular season and playoff games leading the league with 44 total sellouts. Overall, the CHL welcomed more than 2.5 million fans through the turnstiles in 663 combined regular season and playoff games averaging 3,784 fans over the course of the season. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com