Notebook in Friday's Paper

There was so much going on this past Thursday that I ended up writing a notebook for Friday's Times. It's late, and I'm still at the office, so I'm going to take the easy way out and just post the entire thing on here.

Most of the news discussed in this story has already been posted on the blog, but you can read Coach Ruskowski's take on everything in here:

Bucks announce 2009-10 events

By JOY LINDSAY
LAREDO MORNING TIMES

The Laredo Bucks held a press conference on Wednesday to announce the return of tailgating for the 2009-10 season.
Fans will be welcome to tailgate outside the LEC from 4 p.m. until an hour before puck drop for every home game, and each Saturday home game will feature a cook-off.
“The fans really missed the tailgates,” Bucks Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting Bryan Benway said. “A lot of people would come out and tailgate with their friends, and it was a big party atmosphere. We wanted to bring that back, and the LEC was gracious enough to deal with us so we could do this. We’re trying to change the whole atmosphere of the Bucks and the arena, and this is one of the big things that we think will (help).”

Bringing the fun back

Bucks President/Head Coach/General Manager Terry Ruskowski was not in attendance for the press conference, but he played a big part in the decision to revive tailgating at the LEC and expressed his excitement about its return.
“Let’s bring the fun back into hockey again,” Ruskowski said. “The first couple years we were here, I’d go for walks before games and people were tailgating, kids were playing street hockey and football … it was just a great opportunity for the families to get together, enjoy themselves, enjoy the day, then go inside and enjoy hockey.”
Tailgating will begin at the home opener on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a fajita cook-off. Fans are encouraged to bring their own food and cooking equipment, and draught beer will be available for $1 from the LEC.
Ruskowski, Bucks Vice President of Business Operations Nicole Kupaks, Bucks Vice President of Sales Donald Thomson and LEC General Manager Roy Medina were among those who contributed to the return of this popular practice.

Red carpet start

In addition to tailgating for the home opener, the Bucks will host an “extravaganza,” with all players and staff members arriving in tuxedos or formal gowns to take photos with fans on a red carpet.
“We never had one of these events before, and what better way to kick off our eighth season than have a big extravaganza outside,” Benway said. “We’re going to get a lot of people here wishing the team well before the home opener. We’re looking forward to it.
“We want to make this as exciting and memorable as possible. You don’t see many red carpets in Laredo, so we wanted to bring that here to the arena.”
The first 1,000 fans to arrive will also receive a free “Believe in Blue” picture frame.

Bucks add enforcer

Earlier on Wednesday, the Bucks announced the signings of two new forwards, including rugged winger Robin Richards.
“I was after Richards a while back, and he kept on eluding me,” Ruskowski said. “I lost (Erick) Lizon, my big tough guy, so I needed a guy who can come in here and stick up for all the guys on the ice, make sure no one gets picked on or harassed, especially our goal scorers. He’s that type of guy. He’s 6-foot-4, 220 (pounds) … he knows his responsibility.
“Every team has to have a guy like that, and I’m happy to have Richards.”
Richards will be entering his fifth professional season, having spent one prior season in the Central Hockey League and also played in the East Coast, North American and United (now International) Hockey Leagues.
For his pro career, Richards has racked up 508 penalty minutes in 120 games while scoring 14 points.
Despite Richards’ signing, Ruskowski said rookie enforcers still have a chance of making his team.
“We’re all fighting for a job, and if someone shows me they’re more aggressive, they’re going to have job,” Ruskowski said. “I only have four guys coming back, so there’s jobs up for grabs for whoever impresses me in training camp.”

Corsi signs on

Wednesday’s other signing made center Peter-James Corsi the 27th player to join the Bucks’ training camp roster.
The 21-year-old Montreal native spent last season in the ECHL after playing four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“Corsi’s an interesting situation,” Ruskowski said. “He’s very good with the puck, has great instincts. He bounced around in the East Coast last year, but he should have played one more year in juniors. This kid was going to put up 80-90 points in major junior last year and have teams after him like crazy, but that one year as a pro under his belt may have given him more finishing, more experience that other kids don’t have.
“He’s intelligent and a good playmaker; you have to have those qualities to be a successful center.”
Corsi had 70 points in 68 regular season games during his final junior campaign and posted 28 points in 52 ECHL contests last season.

Duo sent back to Bucks

Ruskowski spent the earlier part of this week in Houston watching forwards Josef Fojtik and Maxime Lincourt try out for the American Hockey League’s Aeros and moved on to San Antonio Rampage camp on Wednesday when the duo was returned.
“They have been released, so they’ll be coming into Laredo (today),” Ruskowski said. “I expect them to be a force to be reckoned with in camp. The only scrimmage they had, they both scored a goal. That should be a pretty good roster situation for myself to be in, so I’m pretty pumped.
“I’m just hoping right now to see what’s available. When somebody slips through the cracks and has no place to go after expecting to make the Rampage, I want to have the opportunity to sign them. I’m just talking to the general manager and coaches, seeing what’s available and what could be.
“If I don’t ask, they won’t tell me, so I want to be here in person to get in their in faces and show that I’m interested.”