Dulle takes parting shots on his way out of town

HIDALGO — Kurtis Dulle has been traded by the Killer Bees before. But the explanation he was given for Wednesday’s trade to the Colorado Eagles for future considerations didn’t seem to hold water with the now-former Bees defenseman.

When asked after Wednesday’s practice about trading Dulle to Colorado, Bees coach Chris Brooks said the deal was made because they needed to clear salary cap space to sign veteran forward Joel Irving.

That salary cap explanation didn’t go over well with Dulle, who was one of 10 players returning from last year’s team. His pay, Dulle said, wasn’t more than four other Bees defensemen, leading him to think there might have been other reasons to the trade besides the ones provided.

When he met with Brooks after being texted to speak with him, Dulle left Brooks’ office before the coach could even tell him he had been sent to Colorado.

“I guess I’m upset because, at the end of the day it’s his team and it’s his pieces to the puzzle. That’s how it is, right? And I respected that,” Dulle said. “If that’s the reason I didn’t belong here, then I think he needs to be man enough to tell me that instead of saying it’s a salary cap issue. And I can respect that more.”

When reached Wednesday night, Brooks declined to comment about Dulle’s characterization of the trade.

Dulle acknowledged Wednesday that when he re-signed with the Bees this summer, he “cleaned the slate” with Brooks over their relationship but never felt completely secure about his place on the team. Despite his solid numbers last season (seven goals, 28 assists), Dulle was the last player from last year’s team to re-sign. He decided to return because of his affinity for the area and the team in spite of any differences he may have had with Brooks.

“I felt it. I know that the relationship that me and (Brooks) have… I’m not here to kiss (butt). I’m here to do my job,” Dulle said.

“I know, of the coaches I’ve had in the Valley, Tracy Egeland… people may have looked at him like a very strict, maybe at times a negative coach. But he’s the only true coach I’ve ever had in the Valley. He says it how it is and he’ll do anything for his players. It’s not about him, it’s about his team.”

The trade to Colorado ends Dulle’s second stint in the Valley. The first time he was traded, he was sent by Paul Fixter in January of 2007 along with Bill Newson to Tulsa for a package built around David Masse, who left one month into the next season to play in Quebec.

Bees general manager Grant Buckborough hopes Dulle’s career continues in a successful way like it did after the first time he left the Valley.

“It’s a tough decision whenever we make a trade, not just because it’s Dulle, but every player,” Buckborough said. “It’s tough that when people give their heart and soul in training camp and we release them. And it’s no different when we (trade) a player who’s been here for years.”

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.