Nov 21, 2016

Mudbugs Announce First Tender for 2017-2018 Season

SHREVEPORT – The Shreveport Mudbugs, proud members of the North American League are pleased to announce the signing of 1998 born forward Hunter Hogue to a tender agreement for the 2017-2018 season. Hogue is the first player tendered by the Mudbugs in preparation for next season.

“Hunter is a competitive forward with a good shot and a desire to score,” Mudbugs Director of Scouting Mike Grattan said. “He is a quality finisher and takes pride in being around the blue paint.”

Finishing has been the name of the game for the Cincinnati, OH native through the first third of the 2016-2017 campaign. Hogue’s 14 goals through 16 matches with his current team, the Ohio AAA U18 Blue Jackets puts him in the Tier I Elite Hockey League goal scoring lead. He has also chipped in with 11 assists and currently sits tied for third in overall league points.

This is Hogue’s third season as a member of the AAA Blue Jackets organization. Last season, the 5’11, 170 pound forward put up 15 points in 20 league games at the Midget Major level. In 14-15, Hogue checked in at just over a point per game, totaling 26 points in 25 games with the AAA Blue Jackets U16 squad.

A tender is one mechanism NAHL teams use to obtain a player’s rights for the following season. By signing Hogue, Shreveport locks in the 18-year-old’s league rights for the 2017-2018 campaign. Each NAHL team receives seven standard tenders, two tenders that must be used in the North American Prospects Hockey League and one additional tender that must be offered to a player competing the NA3HL, which is the NAHL’s Tier III Junior ‘A’ development league. The Mudbugs have six standard tenders in the cupboard, after using a tender to acquire Cam Cook from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs this past summer.

Mudbugs Associate Head Coach Francis Anzalone believes Hogue is a player who fits the on and off-ice player personnel blueprint that the organization has put in place.

“Hunter is a very diligent player and person who competes first and foremost,” Anzalone commented. “He comes from a program that has produced quality players for the Junior ‘A’ and collegiate level. We look forward to helping Hunter on his hockey journey and are excited to welcome him to the fold.”