Bye-Bye Banga

Brahmas forward signs with the IHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks

I don't think anyone is surprised to hear that Travis Banga will not be back in a Brahmas sweater this season. While Banga was a strong competitor and a contributor to the President's Cup win, it was clear that he may not have been a good match for Dan Wildfong's systems and expectations. Now, according to Banga's agent, it has been reported that the 29-year-old center from High River, Alberta has signed with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League. He will join former Laredo Bucks goalie Sebastien Centomo for Muskegon's 50th Anniversary Season.

Banga joined the Brahmas on January 9th after being acquired from the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in a trade for forward Topher Scott and future considerations from Wichita (center Matt Byrnes), Rocky Mountain and Rapid City. It was a controversial trade as it was the first in-season swap between Southeast Division teams in nearly five years.

As a Brahma, Banga put up 24 points (8 G, 16, A, +1) and 36 penalty minutes in 26 games played during the remainder of the regular season. On special teams, he scored four power play goals and four power play assists and also had a game winning goal (01/17/09 vs. Odessa).

During the playoffs, Banga scored three points (2 G, 1 A) in nine games played including the game winning goal in Game 3 of the President's Cup Final.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith