Laredo, TX - The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey
League announced Tuesday that they have re-signed forward Alex Goupil
for the 2008-09 season. Goupil, who is entering his fifth professional
season, was acquired last season by the Bucks in a trading deadling
deal with Wichita on February 11th.
Goupil went on a tear
in a Bucks uniform last season, putting up 18 points (11-7=18) in 16
regular season games for Laredo. Goupil carried his hot streak into the
playoffs, as he scored 11 points in 11 postseason games (4-7=11) for
the Bucks. Goupil's totals with Laredo last season are impressive, as
he scored at least one point in 18 of the 27 total games he had on a
Bucks uniform.
"Alex was a priority for us to bring
back this season, he did a phenominal job with us when he was here last
year", said Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski. "He
works hard all the time. During practice, games, and even after
practice. He's a workhorse".
The 5'8, 205 pound Goupil scored 24 goals, with 19 assists for 43
points in 59 regular season games combined with Wichita and Laredo last
season. In his four professional seasons, Goupil has scored at least 39
points in each one.
As soon as Goupil put on a Bucks
uniform last season he paid dividends.The day after he was traded
(February 12th) Goupil scored a goal on his first shot with Laredo, in
the Bucks 4-2 win in Rio Grande Valley.
"I'm very
excited to come back this season", Goupil said. "I weighed all of my
options this summer, and decided that the best thing for my career is
to continue to play in Laredo".
All three of Goupil's
game-winning goals from last season came when he was with the Bucks,
and all three were against Corpus Christi.
Goupil
scored the game-winning goal the night Laredo clinched their fifth
straight Southeast Division title, in a 6-3 win at Corpus Christi's
American Bank Center.
In the 2008 postseason Goupil
picked up two game-winning goals, including the over-time winner in
game three of the Conference Finals in Arizona.
Goupil's playoff game-winner against the Sundogs came just 1:44 into the extra session, to give the Bucks a 2-1 series lead.
"Alex is a spark plug, he has great energy on the ice. I'm very happy
to get him back here this season", Ruskowski said. "He has a great
attitude, the fans really like him, and he's never in a bad mood. He's
a great addition to our team".
"Terry is the best at
what he does, as far as recruiting and coaching, so it's a great
situation to come back and play for him again", Goupil said.
When he was on special teams last season Goupil proved to be a
play-maker, as he scored three power-play goals, handed out six
power-play assists (three with the Bucks), and scored three
short-handed goals (all with Laredo). During last seasons playoffs
Goupil notched four power-play assists, and netted one short-handed
goal.
"We didn't win the championship last year, but
I don't dwell on the past. We all are looking forward to trying to
raise the Cup in May", said Goupil.
Goupil, a native
of Ottawa, Ontario, spent his first three professional seasons in the
UHL (now- IHL) where he put up 139 points (73 goals 66 assists). In
each of his three season's in the UHL, Goupil scored at least 23 goals,
including netting 25 goals in both the 2004-05, and 2005-06 campaign's.
Goupil split his time while in the UHL , spending two
seasons with the Danbury Thrashers (2004-2006), and one with the
Bloomington Prairie Thunder (2006-07).
Goupil has
played in 262 professional games, putting him under the veteran limit
(280 or more regular season games). In the 262 games Goupil has scored
97 goals, with 85 assists, for 182 points.