Bossier City, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League today announced two more signings for the 2009-2010 season, adding forwards Jordan Foote and Ryan Gibbons to their roster. The signings give the 'Bugs nine forwards and a total of 14 players under contract for the coming season.
The two newest Mudbugs have plenty in common: both are 24-year-old former NHL draft picks who hail from Western Canada and will increase the bulk of Bossier-Shreveport's lineup.
"Both of these guys will bring some size and physical presence to our team, but they don't sacrifice anything on the skill side of the game either," said Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "I believe Ryan and Jordan can accompany some of our other skilled players to contribute offensively and make us a bigger, stronger team in the process."
Foote started last season as a rookie with the ECHL's Victoria Salmon Kings before making his way to the CHL with New Mexico in February. The 6-3, 205-pound winger scored an impressive eight goals in only 20 games with the Scorpions and had 19 penalty minutes, including one fighting major. He enters this year with eight goals, one assist and 27 penalty minutes in 28 professional games.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Foote was a sixth round NHL draft choice of the New York Rangers in 2004 prior to a four-year collegiate career at Michigan Tech University (NCAA Division I). In 118 career games with the Huskies, he recorded 19 points and 133 penalty minutes. Foote enjoyed his best junior season in 2003-04, notching 23 goals, 49 points and 73 PIMs in 58 games with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL.
Gibbons comes to the Mudbugs for his fourth pro season after spending the past three years in the ECHL. The 6-5, 215-pounder split time between the Elmira Jackals and Reading Royals last season, playing in a total of 29 games and recording 10 points (3g, 7a) and 25 penalty minutes (including three fighting majors) for the two clubs.
The West Vancouver, British Columbia native spent his rookie season of 2006-07 with the Johnstown Chiefs, playing 57 games before moving on to play for Charlotte and Bakersfield in 07-08. He has played 105 games as a pro, totaling 25 points and 74 minutes in penalties coming into this season.
Gibbons was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the sixth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played five seasons for Seattle of the Western Hockey League (Canadian Major Junior) before turning pro in 2006. In 291 career WHL games, he racked up 416 penalty minutes to go with 58 goals and 38 assists for 96 points.
