Fixter looking ahead to next season

HIDALGO - Paul Fixter didn't say it explicitly, but there will be major changes to the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

"We'll make those decisions later. I mean, they're (players) all property of us," Fixter said. "They're our property and we'll make those decisions later."

In truth, it would be hard to see Fixter bringing back too many players from a team that struggled to a CHL-worst 16-41-7 season. Seemingly after every game, Fixter and his players would say the same things about the team.

For example, after a 3-2 loss to Tulsa in February, Fixter ripped into his team's effort.

"I am so disappointed, so disgusted, so (ticked) off right now. I really am," Fixter said. "It was a joke. Did we show any effort tonight?"

Yet, even after hearing or reading comments like those, the players never seemed to respond to Fixter. Even captain Rob Voltera wasn't above frustration with his teammates.

"I've been trying to talk them into games all year," Voltera said after a 4-1 loss to Austin earlier this month. "It's just not working, so, whatever."

To avoid a repeat of what could sensitively be described as a poor season, Fixter won't only have to import more talented players. But, he'll have to craft a group that can be counted on to deliver more of the hustle and effort the coach desires.

And Fixter knows he will have to make some changes to how he recruits and courts players.

"I think there have to be some changes," Fixter said. "We didn't do a good enough last year."

One thing the Bees did was get a played called up to the AHL. Just minutes after the Bees lost 7-3 to Bossier-Shreveport, forward Mark O'Leary was signed to a professional tryout by the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Since then, Fixter has said that moment was the highlight of the Bees season. He also hopes that it will help attract a better quality of players to the Valley and somewhat neutralize the affect the season could have on recruiting.

Fixter said it would be "awfully stupid" if he didn't use that during this offseason.

"It's huge for us, no question," Fixter said. "And the fact that he's still up there playing and doing well. It's great for Mark and it's great for the organization."

Other than that, though, it would be hard to see too many other positives coming from this season.

After a decent 7-6-2 start, the Bees won only nine games the rest of the season. In one painful three-game stretch, RGV allowed 28 goals. Defensively, the Bees were undoubtedly the league's worst team, allowing 278 goals, 13 more than any other team.

To compound those difficulties, the Bees' offense struggled. Forwards David Masse and Adam Edinger, both of whom were expected to be major contributors, were gone by New Year's Day. Masse, who scored 38 goals in 2006-2007, left the Bees one day after Thanksgiving because of family issues. Edinger, who was signed in the offseason and scored 51 goals in the IHL two years ago, was waived Dec. 28.

"There's certain things in life that certainly humble you and humiliate you and knock you down, and this (season) was certainly one of those" Fixter said. "This was not a fun experience for anybody, not just me. There's also things in life that keep you motivated, and that's challenges. If you're a motivated person and you have passion, that's what keeps you going.

"I've chosen to be in this field. What people say about me, write about me... I really don't care. If you don't like it, find a new job. I'm just fortunate I have an ownership and management group that has been very supportive, and that's encouraging."

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436. For this and more local stories, visit www,themonitor.com.