Bees snag goalie Franck, still hope for Rogers return

HIDALGO — Andy Franck gives the Killer Bees one of the CHL’s most experienced goalies. They still hope that one of their rookies from last year will join him to form what could be one of the league’s best tandems.

On Tuesday, the Bees announced the signing of Franck, a two-time CHL All-Star who spent last season with Oklahoma City and became a free agent when the Blazers ceased operations. Though Franck missed seven games with a groin injury he suffered Nov. 22, he still was chosen to be the CHL team’s starting goalie at last year’s All-Star Game against the host Colorado Eagles.

“(The Bees) had a solid year last year and I know a lot of the guys will be coming back,” Franck said. “I know they lost a few to other teams in Europe but the core of the team will be back and it will be good to build on that and have guys that expect time there and have had time to gel there already.”

One player the Bees haven’t lost yet from last year’s 35-24-5 team is goalie Wylie Rogers. Rogers, along with fellow rookie Christian Boucher, was part of a goalie combination that, despite its inexperience, was surprisingly solid and led the Bees to their best season. But because of their performance and youth, both Rogers and Boucher were expected to try to move up to another league.

While Boucher has already signed to play in the Netherlands, Rogers is still unsigned. Bees coach Chris Brooks is hopeful Rogers will return and pair up with Franck.

“I know he had a great experience in the Rio Grande Valley and he is excited about the team I’m putting together,” Brooks said. “Hopefully we can work out a deal to have him come back. If I can’t, we’ll go onto plan a, b, or c.”

The Bees have already done that with other rookies from last year’s team, including Boucher and defenseman Nicolas Dumoulin, who signed in Germany. Forward Evan Rankin was also expected to try to move up but is still unsigned.

Brooks said the Franck signing shouldn’t be seen as a message to Rogers to make up his mind about returning.

“When guys are unsure… the thing is last year we had a large number of rookies and I understand they want to chase their dreams and play at the highest level they can play at,” Brooks said. “It’s my job to put together a team and I make decisions based on guys not coming back.

“When Andy Franck came available, and he had interest in coming to play for us, and I don’t take him and Wylie Rogers decides he’s going to play in Europe or the East Coast Hockey League, then I’m stuck without anybody,” Brooks added. “And I’m not going to put myself in that situation.”

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