Buccaneers 25th Anniversary team begins to take shape

The Des Moines Buccaneers have announced the names of the twenty-five players who have received invitations to be a part of the 2004-05 roster. Included on the list of protected players are nine returnees from last season's playoff squad and a recent NHL draftee. Two members of the Des Moines Capitals have also been invited to join the Bucs in the fall.

The Buccaneers retained four forwards, four defensemen, and one goalie from last season's team that qualified for the franchise's eighteen consecutive playoff berth. The returning players are: Patrick Boregestad, Alan Dorich, Rory Farrell, Chris Kane, Brandon Longley, Brad Peterson, Ryan Raven, Samir Saliji, and Patrick Watson. In addition to the returning players, the Bucs have invited former St. Louis Heartland Eagle defenseman Thomas Gerken to join an experienced group on the blue line in Des Moines.

Matthew Greer, who was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in last weekend's NHL entry draft, headlines a group of six talented recruits from Minnesota high school programs that have been asked to be a part of the Buccaneers‚ 25th Anniversary team.

Also receiving invitations to join the Bucs were local players Brad Krueger and Roch Naert. Both Krueger and Naert helped the Des Moines Capitals win the 2003-04 Iowa High School Hockey League state championship.

The following is a complete list of players invited to be a part of the 2004-05 Des Moines Buccaneers squad: