Dube Spurns Retirement, Re-Signs With Bucks
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced at a press conference Thursday that they have re-signed three-time CHL All-Star Serge Dube for the 2008-09 season, his seventh year with the team. The announcement was made to the media and a large number of fans at Doctors Hospital.
2008-09 CHL Off-Season Transactions
Dube, who seriously contemplated retirement over the summer, is the franchises All-Time leader in games played with 324. Dube becomes the first Veteran on the Bucks roster for this season, leaving three remaining Vet spots open.
Dube, who is considered one of the best defensemen in the CHL, was honored with the 2006 CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman Award, and is a three-time CHL All-Star (’04, ’06, ‘08).
The 29-year old Dube has also been honored with the CHL Player of the Month award in November 2005, and the CHL Player of the Week award in January of 2004.
“I’m certain that Serge was very close to retirement this summer, but I’m ecstatic that he is back with us”, said Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski. “Serge is a perennial All-Star, who is one of the best ‘D’ men in the league”.
“I’m excited to try and win another championship here. Two years without a title is too long”, Dube said. “I thought a lot about it, and decided that playing another year was the best decision for me. If we win the Cup this year I think I’ll call it a career”.
In his six seasons’ in Laredo, the 5’11, 205 pound Dube is among the all-time franchise leaders in several categories. Besides being the all-time Bucks leader in games played, Dube is fourth all-time in goals scored with 71, second all-time in assists with 213, and second all-time in points with 284. In addition, Dube is tied for fifth all-time in single-season assists, handing out 50 during the Bucks first CHL championship season of 2003-2004. Dube is also tied for sixth all-time with six game-winning goals during the Bucks second CHL championship season of 2005-06.
“I’ve watched him (Dube) grow into a solid, and confident player who makes our team a lot better”, Ruskowski stated. “I know our defense is taken care of when he’s on the ice for us”.
Last season Dube, who is from Sudbury, Ontario but lives in Laredo with his new wife Aileen, was selected to his third CHL All-Star game, as he had another solid year. Dube scored nine goals, handed out 37 assists for 46 points, in 57 games. His 2007-08 numbers included four power-play goals, 15 power-play assists, two short-handed goals, four short-handed assists, and three game-winning goals to go along with a plus 25 rating.
Dube had five, three-point games last season, including four games where the Captain had three assists.
During the 2008 playoffs Dube knocked in two goals, with nine assists for 11 points. Six of his nine playoff assists were on the power-play.
“Serge solidifies our defense, he’s a character player, who knows our systems, and plays them well”, said Ruskowski.
Dube spent time on the 14-day IR last season from February 23rd- March 11th, forcing him to miss five games. Dube also missed two games in Austin on February 8th-9th with a stomach virus.
Of Dube’s three game-winning goals last season, two of the three came in one-goal wins. On November 13th Dube scored his second goal of the game just 29 seconds into overtime, to lead the Bucks to a 3-2 OT win over Rio Grande Valley.
“With the guys that Terry is bringing in, we should be right there again at the end. It’s going to be tough, there’s a lot of good teams out there”, Dube said.
Dube had his best statistical season in Laredo during the 2003-04 championship season. In 59 games Dube posted a career high 18-goals, with 50 assists, for 68 points, in helping the Bucks to a CHL-best 48-8-8 record- best all-time in the CHL.
Dube began the 2004-05 campaign overseas with the Bracknell Bees, playing in 11 games before returning to Laredo.
Upon returning to the Bucks in 2004-05, Dube struggled with injuries, and missed a portion of the season. When he returned to the line-up on February 23rd, 2005, the Bucks were struggling with a 23-22-2 record. With Dube back in the line-up the Bucks finished up the regular season an incredible 12-0-1, capturing both the Southeast Division Title, and the Southern Conference Championship, before falling in the President’s Cup Finals.
During the 2005-06 season Dube played three games in the AHL for the San Antonio Rampage.
Dube joins Steve Weidlich as the two original Bucks on the 2008-09 roster. Both Dube and Weidlich have been with Laredo since the teams first season in 2002-03.
The Bucks now have 12 players on their roster for this season, including returnees Dube, Weidlich, Igor Agarunov, and Matt Summers.
