Laredo Bucks Hockey Team :: Big Game Hockey: Korchinski Rides Again

Korchinski Rides Again
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Bryan Benway on 02/09/2010 19:07:00
 
Earlier today the Bucks announced the re-signing of 2007 CHL All-Star Chris
Korchinski. And the crowd went wild!
Korchinski's signing became official very recently although it was rumored to
have been done over a week ago. All of the I's needed to be dotted and all of
the T's crossed before we could make an announcement on it. This was a big topic
of conversation in a lot of places for the past two weeks. I not only got tons
of e-mails, texts and calls from fans and media around Laredo and the CHL about
whether or not this was going to happen, but from fans and media in Canada and
England as well.
No matter when the deal was done this is a very big pick up for the Bucks as
Korchinski will add some much-needed scoring and aggressiveness to the line-up
this season.
The fact that the Bucks were even able to get Korchinski back is almost a
miracle because about a month ago he was signed to play with the Hull Stingrays
over in England, where it seems every single golf commentator is from these
days.
Here's the rundown on how Korchinski landed back in Laredo. On August 11th the
Stingrays ownership decided to shut down the team, making all of their players
free agents making them able to sign anywhere. As soon as that happened quite a
few teams, including the Bucks and one other CHL team that will remain nameless,
went all out in an effort to sign Korchinski for 2010-11. After a contract
negotiation, Korchinski decided to come back to the Bucks.  Talk about your
storybook ending.
There's no doubt that Korchinski is one heck of a talent. His numbers show that.
Korchinski has put up 187 points (90-97=187) and 235 PIM’s in 235 career
games. In his two seasons in Laredo Korchinski scored a total of 106 points
(47-59=106) with a +31 rating in 122 games, and put up 28 points (16-12=28) in
31 career CHL playoff games. Korchinski has notched 20 or more goals and 50 or
more points in three of his first four professional seasons (last season in
Elmira was the exception to that).
Korchinski will bring scoring, speed, aggressiveness, physicality and leadership
to the Bucks for this coming season. He will be a first or second line center
for Laredo and hopefully score between 60 and 70 points this season. He also
brings clutch play to the team. In his two seasons in Laredo he had a total of
eight game-winning goals in 122 regular season games, while scoring seven
game-winning goals in 31 total playoff games in Laredo. The Bucks biggest clutch
player the last two seasons was Darryl Smith who had nine game-winning goals in
each of the last two regular seasons, but alas he is gone now and Korchinski can
step back into those shoes.
It wasn't too long ago that everyone in the CHL was asking, "where will the
Bucks get their scoring from this season?" Well, with Matt Robinson and Chris
Korchinski that's a heck of a start. Then throw guys in like Neil Trimm, Mark
O'Leary and Serge Dube, along with Jeff Bes (hopefully) and some younger guys
the Bucks should be fine in the scoring department.
Another thing Korchinski brings to the Bucks is his physical and aggressive
play. He has 235 PIM's in his first four professional seasons and he's not
afraid to get into a fight or lay a big check on someone. The Bucks now have
five or six physical, tough players, including guys who can fight if need be
(Korchinski, Styffe, Michaud, Lehr, Dieude-Fauvel). The Bucks will no doubt be
more physical this season than in the last two or three seasons combined, and
the they may be getting another tough guy in the near future to cement that
thought.
With the re-signing of Korchinski today it's safe to say that it's a great day
for Laredo!
With Korchinski officially inked the Bucks 2010-11 roster is up to 19 players
(nine returning, nine new rookies, one non-rookie newcomer). Breaking it down by
position players the Bucks now have seven defenseman, 10 forwards and two
goaltenders.
I can tell you that there could be a couple of player signing next week, as
multiple guys are close to being officially headed to Laredo. I'll know more
about that on Monday or Tuesday. Be sure to keep checking here or the Bucks
Twitter and Facebook pages for updates.
If you missed my interview with Serge Dube that we did in July it is now
available on the newest edition of "Puska on Pucks". Thanks to Denis Puska for
picking that up and putting it on his show.
If you are looking for something to do Saturday bring the kids out to Autmus
fest at TAMIU between 5-11pm because we will have the Kids zone brought to you
by the Laredo Bucks. We will have the big slides and games out there for the
kids to play on along with many other fun activities.
In other news the mass exodus continues down in the Valley with Damon Rycroft
being sent to Colorado. This comes 48 hours after Jesse Bennefield asked to be
traded by the Bees. Here's what Rycroft had to say about the deal:
"I approached Coach Brooks and expressed an interest in moving back to the
Colorado area," Rycroft said. "I stressed to them it was a personal decision and
not a hockey decision. It was tough but I was fortunate he fully understood my
reasons for the request and for that I’m very grateful."
And Chris Brooks' thoughts:
"It’s tough to lose a player like Daymen but we understand his reasons for
wanting to move on."
Who's next to depart the Valley? Sir Sting-a-lot?
Finally today a big congratulations to Corpus Christi broadcaster/media
relations guru Josh Bogorad who was named the new voice of the ECHL\'s Alaska
Aces on Tuesday. This is a great move for Josh and he definately deserves it.
He's one of the best, if not the best broadcaster and media relations director
in all of minor league hockey. I've learned a lot from him, way more than he's
learned from me! I had a brief texting conversation with Josh on Tuesday as he
was hanging out in New York and he was very excited and humbled by the chance to
go to such a great organization. Best of luck to Josh!
That's all for today. I don't know about you but I have a three-day weekend
(with the exception of my two-hour shift at Autmus fest on Saturday). Be safe
this weekend and i'll catch up with you on Tuesday! I'm always e-mail ready at
benway@laredobucks.com.
Until next time,
It will be a hot one in the old town tonight!
GO BUCKS GO!