Bucks Bring Back Looby

LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Mike Looby for the 2009-10 season. Looby was a member of the Bucks 2006 President’s Cup Championship team.

“I’m very happy to have Mike Looby back with us for this season,” said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “He knows what it’s like to win a Championship here, and wants to do it again.”

Looby joined the Bucks as an amatuer during the 2006 Playoffs, where he scored three points (1-2=3) to help lead Laredo to their second Championship. Looby had two points (1-1=2) in the Southern Conference Finals against Odessa, including a goal in the Bucks series clinching game-five win. Looby picked up an assist in Laredo’s 4-2 Game One Finals victory against Bossier-Shreveport.

The Brampton, Ontario native has spent the last three seasons playing for five different teams in two different leagues, including three in the CHL from 2006-2008.

“I’ve tried to get Looby back for the last two years and it just never happened,” Ruskowski said. “I know that he will bring experience here, and show the young guys how we play Buck hockey.”

Last season the 6’0, 200 pound Looby split time in the ECHL with Dayton and Gwinnett, scoring a total of 12 points (4-8=12) in 75 games, to go along with 69 PIM’s.

2007-08 was a career year for Looby as he put up a total of 27 points (4-23=27) in 62 games, splitting time with Rio Grande Valley and Tulsa.

The 29-year-old Looby spent the 2006-07 season in the CHL for Arizona and Rio Grande Valley, picking up 11 points (3-8=11) and 54 PIM’s in 62 total games.

Prior to turning professional Looby played in a total of 260 OHL games from 2001-2006, scoring 66 points (10-56=66).

Looby is the 25th Buck signed this off-season, including the 15th with at least one year of professional experience.