Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs


The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs were a professional ice hockey team which played in the Bossier City-Shreveport metropolitan area of Louisiana. From 1997 to 2001, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs were members of the Western Professional Hockey League, until a 2001 merger between the WPHL with the Central Hockey League. From 2001 to 2011, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs played in the Central Hockey League. From 1997 until 2000, they were known as the Shreveport Mudbugs, changing the name to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs after the team relocated from the Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport to the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City.
One of the few successful sports teams from the Bossier-Shreveport area, the Mudbugs found success early. Coached by former Mudbug player Scott Muscutt and owned by Tommy and Leslie Scott, the team increased attendance each year and hosted the All-Star festivities for the Central Hockey League in 2007. The Mudbugs maintained heated rivalries with the Texas Brahmas, Laredo Bucks, Mississippi RiverKings, and Colorado Eagles.

History

In their first four seasons, the Mudbugs saw their most success. After the sweep from the Fort Worth Brahmas in the second round of their opening season, the Mudbugs went on to win the President's Cup Championships three straight years in the WPHL. Following the merger of the WPHL and CHL, the Mudbugs found their way back to the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals three times. The Mudbugs were the only team in history of the WPHL and CHL to ever win the Cup three straight years.
During the 2009–10 season, Mudbugs legend goaltender Ken Carroll and Travis Clayton were named to the Central Hockey League's All Decade Team.
On July 20, 2010 former player Jason Campbell was named the new Vice President & General Manager for the Mudbugs.
With the merger of the CHL and the IHL beginning with the 2010–11 season, the Mudbugs played in the Berry Conference. The Mudbugs would go on to win the Ray Miron President's Cup that season in a 7-game series with the Colorado Eagles, but would cease operations two weeks later citing low attendance and financial issues.
In October 2015, it was announced that a new Mudbugs team would return for the 2016–17 season after signing a 12-year lease agreement with the Louisiana State Fairgrounds to play their home games in the Hirsch Coliseum as a member of the Tier II junior North American Hockey League. On April 8, 2016, the Shreveport Mudbugs were officially announced as an expansion team in the NAHL.

Season-by-season results

WPHL & CHL team awards and trophies


Ray Miron President's Cup Champions
  • 1998–1999
  • 1999–2000
  • 2000–2001
  • 2010-2011
Governor's Cup Champions
  • 1998–1999
  • 2006–2007
  • 2007–2008
Central Hockey League Northern Conference Champions
  • 2003–2004
  • 2005–2006
Division Championships
  • WPHL Eastern Division 1998–1999
  • WPHL Eastern Division 1999–2000
  • CHL Northeastern Division 2003–2004
  • CHL Northeastern Division 2004–2005
  • CHL Northeastern Division 2005–2006
  • CHL Northeastern Division 2006–2007
  • CHL Northeastern Division 2007–2008
Central Hockey League Franchise of the Year
  • 2005–2006

WPHL & CHL player awards and trophies


Central Hockey League Coach of the Year
  • Scott Muscutt: 2007-08
Central Hockey League Rookie of the Year
  • Cam Abbott: 2006-07
Central Hockey League Most Outstanding Goaltender
  • Ken Carroll: 2005-06
  • John DeCaro: 2006-07, 2007–08
Western Professional Hockey League Rookie of the Year
  • Ken Carroll: 2000-01
Western Professional Hockey League Playoff Most Valuable Player
  • John Vecchiarelli: 1998-99
  • Hugo Hamelin: 1999-00
  • Jason Campbell: 2000-01
Western Professional Hockey League Man of the Year
  • Scott Muscutt: 1999-00
Western Professional Hockey League Most Outstanding Goaltender
  • Kevin St.Pierre: 1997-98
  • Ken Carroll: 2000-01

Franchise individual records