Hidalgo, TX - The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League (CHL) today announced that winger Ryan Shmyr, the team's all time penalty minute leader and fifth-leading goal-scorer, has signed with the club for the 2008-09 season.
Shmyr, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound Fairview, Alberta native, played for the Bees from 2003-06. He holds the franchise record for penalty minutes (748 regular season, 783 total) and is fifth all-time in games played (176 regular season, 185 total).
"Ryan Shmyr is a player who brings size, experience and leadership to the team," Killer Bees Head Coach Chris Brooks explained. "The fans here know him and the players around the league know him. His presence should allow our speed and skill guys the room they need to operate. He's a good character guy and a player who will help make sure the younger guys are living up to their potential."
Shmyr, 31, also holds other spots in the Killer Bees record book. His 66 points (34-32-66) rank seventh in team history, while his 34 goals are fifth all-time. Of those goals, Shmyr bagged 14 of while on the power play, good for fourth all-time. Shmyr was voted as the team's second most-popular play via online fan voting prior to the team's 5th Anniversary Season.
For the past two seasons, Shmyr played in the Elite Ice Hockey League in Great Britain for the Nottingham Panthers. While there, the Panthers won the 2006-07 playoff championship and the 2007-08 Challenge Cup. Last season, Shmyr finished with 274 PIM, good for fourth overall and collected 19 points (6-13-19).
Shmyr, who enters his 12th professional season in 2008-09, has appeared in 590 games and collected 155 points (66-89-155) and 2668 PIM. He ranks in the top 50 all time PIM leaders in minor pro hockey.
"I'm excited to come back to the Valley," Shmyr said. "I spent three seasons here and enjoy the area and most of all playing for the fans there. I've talked to Coach Brooks and the lineup he and Sean Gillam have assembled should make us a contender."
