Mangos, Pszenyczny Bolster 'Bugs Blueline
 
BOSSIER CITY, LA – The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs today announced the signings of returning defensemen Simon Mangos and Dave Pszenyczny for the 2009-2010 Central Hockey League season. Both players have signed for a second season along the Red River to give Bossier-Shreveport 11 total players under contract for the coming season.
 
“These two guys are going to be important parts of our hockey club this year,” said Head Coach Scott Muscutt. “They’re both two dimensional D-men who are strong in their own end of the ice, but can turn around and spark things offensively as well. I’m very pleased to have both of them back, and when you include Dale Lupul, we’ve got a good core group of defensemen to build around.”
 
Mangos, 29, will suit up for his sixth pro season in 09-10 after proving to be a dependable contributor at both ends of the ice last season. The 5-10, 203-pound blueliner scored eight goals and added 22 assists for 30 points and was one of only four players to play all 64 games for the club in 08-09. He was the Mudbugs’ most prolific shooter in the shootout, scoring four times on eight shootout attempts. Mangos also finished with a +5 rating and 67 penalty minutes.
 
Mangos played his first two pro seasons in the ECHL before going overseas to play in England from 2006-2008. In two years with the Manchester Phoenix of the English Elite Ice Hockey League, he recorded 27 goals and 82 points in 116 games. The Cambridge, Ontario native played four seasons of college hockey at Ferris State University prior to turning pro in 2004-05. As a junior with the Bulldogs, Mangos was named CCHA Second Team All-Conference.
 
“Simon is an experienced guy who always plays with composure,” Muscutt commented. “He brings a wealth of offensive skill and patience to go with his defensive capabilities. He was a solid player all last year for us, and I expect him to be even better this year.”
 
Pszenyczny, 24, comes back to the ‘Bugs for his fourth pro season in 2009-10. Last year he was a solid member of Bossier-Shreveport’s defense and contributed 22 points (8g, 14a) offensively to go with a +5 rating and 116 minutes in penalties. The native of Sterling Heights, Michigan also showed a knack for scoring big goals, netting four game-winners in the regular season and adding the overtime winner in Game 2 of the Northern Conference Opening round playoff series vs. Rocky Mountain.
 
After playing five seasons of Canadian Major Junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, Pszenyczny played his first two pro seasons in the ECHL, splitting time between Phoenix, Alaska and Reading. The 6-0, 190-pounder also appeared in four American Hockey League games with the Toronto Marlies during the 2006-07 season.
 
“Dave is a versatile guy to have on the back end,” stated Muscutt. “One minute he’s grinding it out in a puck battle along the boards and the next minute he’s flying into the offensive zone on the rush. He also brings some toughness and isn’t afraid to stick up for his teammates, and those are the types of guys you need.”