Banga traded to Texas

HIDALGO - Topher Scott, Matt Byrnes and whoever becomes the two future considerations the Killer Bees acquired from Texas on Monday for Travis Banga will have to have quite an impact for people to forget the truly bizarre circumstances which brought them to the Rio Grande Valley.

Coach Chris Brooks said Monday last Tuesday, the day Robin Bouchard left the team and forced it to start that night's game with just 13 skaters, he asked Banga about his relationship with Dennis Maxwell and whether he could "cohabitate" with his teammate from last season. Brooks said Banga said "yes. If that's what's best for the team, then that's what's best for the team."

But Banga's answer changed Wednesday, after Maxwell returned and practiced with the team for the first time. Banga then went home, where he talked with his family and decided that it was time for him to leave, leading to the now-former RGV forward asking for a trade.

"Over the past week, that's what I've been dealing with," Brooks said. "I wanted Travis Banga on my team. I made a decision that Dennis Maxwell at this point would help our hockey team and I made a decision to bring him in. And Travis and his family didn't agree with my decision and no longer wanted to be a part of our team.

"I didn't want to trade Travis Banga. That's the most important thing that people have to know. Travis Banga made a decision last week after I made a decision to sign Dennis Maxwell that he didn't want to be here."

Banga, who joins the Southeast-division leading Brahmas, said it was a "choice he needed to make" in order to be happy. He said that when Brooks asked last him last Tuesday whether he was on board with Maxwell's return, he probably wasn't "100 percent sold" on the move when it was discussed.

"This was my choice. I choose for my family," Banga said. "I think this was the best choice for me in a certain situation that will help me in the long run."

Banga didn't comment on his relationship with Maxwell and apologized to fans who think he is "bailing out" on them.   

"With Maxwell signing it's going to be good for the team here. They get a veteran player," Banga said. "On the other hand, it's something I decided after talking to the coaches Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon when I thought it through more. I  thought the best thing for me to do was to ask for my trade and go on with my career."

Ironically, Banga's absence from the lineup since Dec. 9 was one of the reasons Brooks signed Maxwell. With Banga, Ryan Shmyr and Trevor Weisgerber on injured reserve, Bouchard's departure, the waiving of Rob Voltera and the injury later last Tuesday to defenseman Jesse Perrin, the Bees were looking at playing with just 12 players last Wednesday night.

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