Bossier-Shreveport Signs Two More Players

BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League added forwards Kevin Cooper and Matt Frank to their 2008-09 roster on Thursday, bringing their total number of players signed for the upcoming season to 12. Cooper re-joins the 'Bugs for his second season with the team and fifth as a pro, while Frank will start his professional career as a rookie out of Ferris State University.

2008-09 CHL Off-Season Transactions

Cooper proved to be one of Bossier-Shreveport's most prolific goal scorers during his first run with the team in 2007-08. Although he didn't join the 'Bugs until late November, Cooper still finished second on the team with 27 goals and tied his career high with 56 points in just 50 games last year. Those totals equaled the best points-per-game average on the Mudbugs' squad in 07-08 at 1.12. The speedy 5-9, 180-lb. winger was also voted Best Defensive Forward by his peers in last year's CHL "Best of the Best" Poll.

"'Coop' is a guy that quickly became a fan favorite last year. He's got a great skill set and always plays with so much composure," said Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "He's also going to have an opportunity up in Rochester during training camp, so we wish him the best with that. Should he be returned to us, we will definitely look forward to getting him back."

Prior to joining the Mudbugs last year, Cooper played in four different leagues during his first three seasons, suiting up in the AHL, ECHL, UHL and in Europe. With Elmira of the UHL in 2005-06, the Toronto native appeared in 75 games, scoring 33 goals and totaling 56 points with 38 penalty minutes for the Jackals. As a rookie, Cooper played one game with the AHL's Providence Bruins in 04-05 and spent the rest of the season in the ECHL, playing 72 games with Pee-Dee and Texas and notching 48 total points. During his college career, Cooper played four seasons at Middlebury College, totaling 159 points in 114 career games. As a senior with the Panthers, Cooper scored 35 goals and 57 points in just 30 contests.

Frank joins the Mudbugs after a successful four-year college career at Ferris State University. The 6-0, 185-lb. winger earned a reputation in college as a solid penalty killer and good two-way forward who also served as an Assistant Captain for his last two seasons. After his freshman year was cut short by injury, Frank came back to post career highs of four goals and 12 points in 34 games for the Bulldogs in 05-06. He appeared in a total of 103 games at Ferris State, finishing his collegiate career with six goals, 15 assists, 21 points and 89 penalty minutes.

"Matt comes to us from a program that we've developed a little pipeline with at Ferris State," Muscutt said. "He's a player who brings good size and lots of energy to the lineup. His coaches have informed us that his defensive abilities are second to none and he has some offensive abilities that we look forward to seeing him tap into this season as well."

The Billings, Montana native also played one year of Junior hockey in the North American Hockey League before starting college. Frank posted impressive numbers for the NAHL's Bozeman IceDogs in 2003-04 with 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points and 124 penalty minutes in 54 games.

Bossier-Shreveport now has 12 players signed for the 2008-09 Central Hockey League season, including seven forwards, four defensemen, and one goaltender.