(Courtesy of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs) BOSSIER CITY, LA -- The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League today solidified two important parts of their 2005-2006 roster by re-signing veteran forwards Dan Wildfong and Chris Brassard. Both served as assistant captains last year and were the Mudbugs' top two scorers during the regular season, combining for 123 points.

Wildfong, who will enter his seventh season in Bossier-Shreveport, enjoyed a career year in 2004-2005 by leading the Mudbugs in goals (32), assists (37), points (69), plus minus (+24), penalty minutes (306), shorthanded goals (3), and overtime goals (3). The Clinton, Ontario native also finished second in the CHL Most Valuable Player award voting and was voted "Best Leader" in the 2005 CHL Best of the Best Poll. Wildfong is the Mudbugs' all-time leading scorer with 383 points in 372 career games with the franchise.

Brassard, a Toronto, Ontario native, will begin his fourth season with the Mudbugs and eighth in professional hockey. Last season, the 29-year old winger finished second on the team with 29 goals and 25 assists for 54 points in the regular season and set a new CHL record with four power play goals in one playoff game on April 1st against Wichita. In just three seasons in Bossier-Shreveport, he has moved up to eighth in all-time Mudbugs scoring with 166 points in 168 games. Brassard came to the Mudbugs in the 2002-2003 season after spending the previous two years in the ECHL, including one as team captain of the Greensboro Generals in 2001-02.

"We've had complete opposite ends of the spectrum with the loss of a great leader in Forbes MacPherson last week and now the addition of two great leaders in Dan Wildfong and Chris Brassard this week," said Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "Obviously, they'll both be huge parts of the Mudbugs' success on and off the ice this season. They know what it takes to win and we're excited to have them back. Both players bring toughness, a scoring touch, points, and leadership so it's certainly a great day for our team."

The signings of Wildfong and Brassard fill two of the four possible veteran positions on the Mudbugs' 2005-2006 roster. Central Hockey League regulations state that teams may only carry four players which have played in 260 or more professional games. Both have also become integral parts of the Bossier-Shreveport community with many off-ice activities, including Wildfong's Shoot-2-Score Ultimate Lacrosse Camp which is taking place this week at Centenary College. Wildfong was nominated for the "CHL Man of the Year" award last season for his outstanding community service.

"It's great to be coming back and I'm excited for another season here in Bossier-Shreveport," said Wildfong. "It's really a no-brainer to re-sign with such a top notch organization and hopefully we can continue the winning tradition. This community has been unbelievable to me over the last six years."

The ninth season of Mudbugs hockey will begin on October 21st at the CenturyTel Center.