"Joe is one of our most complete players," said Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "He's a great skater with good size who can also play the body. I know he had an opportunity to go overseas, but maybe he's found something special here in Bossier-Shreveport and we're very happy to have him back."

Last season, the Niles, Illinois native was among the Mudbugs' top performers, finishing fourth on the team in scoring with 57 points. His 26 goals were third on the team in 2007-08, but his specialty was scoring when it mattered most. Ori led all CHL players and tied Bossier-Shreveport's franchise record with ten game-winning goals last season. He was one of only three Mudbugs to play in all 64 regular season games, finishing with a +20 plus/minus rating and 44 penalty minutes. Ori continued to excel in the playoffs, leading the team with three goals and seven points in four games.

In his first year with the Mudbugs in 2006-07, the 6-0, 185-pound winger recorded 51 points (20g-31a) and 40 penalty minutes in 63 games. Ori also had six points in 11 playoff games that year. Following a four-year collegiate hockey career at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, he started his professional career in impressive fashion. Playing one season in Germany for Miesbach TEV, the now 26-year-old scored 47 goals and 87 points in just 49 games.