Twenty9
05-20-2004, 05:25 PM
TEN PLAYER DEAL HIGHLIGHTS BUSY DAY FOR RAYZ
Corpus Christi, Texas – In a blockbuster trade, the Corpus Christi Rayz announced Thursday morning that they have completed a ten-player deal with Topeka that has the two clubs swapping five players a side. The Rayz received defensemen Bernie John and Chad McIver, goaltender Brent Zelenewich, forward Ryan Carter and the rights to Jason Baird, the team’s leading scorer in exchange for forwards Ken Richardson, Cosmo Dupaul, Jay Woodcroft and Patrick Levesque and defenseman Gary Zinck.
The Rayz promised fans big changes shortly after the hiring of new Rayz Head Coach, Ken McRae and General Manager, Larry Linde. On Thursday, that big news splashed heavily into the Coastal Bend and sent local fans into hockey hysteria just weeks into the off-season. The trade reunites five stellar players with their former coach, as each of the players acquired by Corpus played under McRae last season in Indianapolis, where he and Linde each served in the same capacity. Indianapolis relocated to Topeka following the completion of last season.
Highlighting the trade for Corpus Christi are the additions of John and the rights to Baird. The Rayz picked up a four time all-star and last year’s “CHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman” Award recipient in John and a league MVP finalist and All-Star Game MVP in Baird. The duo could provide the scoring punch the Rayz were looking for last year as they had 76 and 79 points respectively while missing just a game combined – something that is welcomed to a Rayz squad that was injury plagued for the majority of the season.
“We brought some exceptional talent to Corpus Christi today,” said McRae. “We knew we had a lot of work and rebuilding to do this summer, and in one deal we’ve built a foundation that most any team in this league would be happy to have. The work is hardly over for us, and we’ll keep looking for the best talent out there, but this is a huge step towards the future success of this hockey team.”
Linde echoed his coach’s statements. “We know what we’re getting with these guys, and needless to say we’re thrilled,” he said. “These are the types of players that make any team they’re on much better. They’re excited to be coming and we’re certainly excited to have them.”
John, 32, is considered by many to be one of the best defenseman in AA hockey, and he helped solidify those claims with his spectacular play last season. His 76 points (17 goals, 59 assists) led all CHL defensemen and his nine power play goals ranked second in the league. The veteran blueliner out of Sudbury, Ontario earned just about every honor possible as a member of the Ice. John was named an All-Star in four of his five seasons in Indianapolis, and is the all-time franchise leader for points (353) and assists (262).
John said he was excited about playing for his former coach again. “It was my first choice to come to Corpus Christi,” he said. “I know how to play under (McRae) and know what works for his style. I’m really looking forward to making it out there.”
He also brings veteran leadership and experience to Corpus Christi having played over 660 professional games and helped his team to the 2000 Miron Cup Championship. In this year’s postseason, John led the Ice in points, averaging two a game and finishing a +7 in their first round series with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.
“Everything you want out of a hockey player, Bernie John is,” Linde said. “He anchors a list of fine people and fine hockey players we are bringing to Corpus Christi.”
Baird, 23, was the most explosive offensive forward for the Ice last season. The 6’1”, 205 lb. native of Cayuga, Ontario had the rare distinction of leading his team in both points (79) and penalty minutes (196). He also led the team with a +21 rating for the year. About to enter his fourth season of professional hockey, Baird has been the measure of consistency since turning pro. In 195 games, Baird is averaging almost a point per game, and he has not missed a game in the last two seasons in Indianapolis. Baird, who tied for sixth in the league in scoring last year, is currently under contract with a European team, however the Rayz now own his CHL rights should he decide to remain in the United States.
Ryan Carter, 27, is the second forward acquired by the Rayz in this deal and much like Baird, he brings size and consistency. Carter played in every game last season, while setting career high marks in goals (17) and points (33). Carter was a college standout for Iona of the NCAA, captaining his team and becoming the University’s all-time leading scorer and the all-time career leader in points in his conference (MAAC), scoring 179 points in only 138 collegiate games. For his excellence, in 2002, the British Columbia native was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top collegiate player in the United States.
Chad McIver, 26, has played two seasons of professional hockey after four years at Ferris State University. McIver played two games last season for the Columbus Stars of the United Hockey League under former Rayz Head Coach Malcolm Cameron before finding a home in Indianapolis. A 6’1”, 211 lb. defenseman from Thunder Bay, Ontario, McIver is a stay-at-home defenseman, who compliments Bernie John quite nicely with his style. In 49 games last season for the Ice, McIver had 14 points and 37 penalty minutes.
Zelenewich, 25, made an immediate impact on the CHL last season with his superb play as a rookie. In 25 games, the 5’11”, 175 lb. goaltender out of Winnipeg, Manitoba posted a remarkable 17-6-2 record with a 2.44 GAA and a .922 save percentage. Zelenewich made his claim as one of the best rookie goaltenders last year after three solid seasons as the starting netminder for St. Mary’s of the CIAU. In 2002, Zelenewich led his team to the AUS Championship and the Canadian National Championship game. He appeared in one game in the postseason. At the end of the season, Zelenewich was called up to Manitoba of the American Hockey League.
While the new additions are quite welcome to Corpus Christi they did not come cheap. Ken Richardson had been the team’s captain the past two seasons and is credited for holding the club together during the tumultuous 2002-03 season. Dupaul, 29, battled injuries from the start of the year last season and did not join the team until mid-season after recovering from off-season knee surgery. Woodcroft, 27, tied for the team lead with 16 goals and finished with 31 points, however he missed the final 17 games of the season with a groin injury. Gary Zinck and Patrick Levesque are two rookies that Rayz are sending to Topeka.
In separate news the Rayz also sent rookie defenseman Matt Medvecz to Topeka and goaltender Craig Hillier to Amarillo to complete trades made during the 2003-04 season.
Corpus Christi, Texas – In a blockbuster trade, the Corpus Christi Rayz announced Thursday morning that they have completed a ten-player deal with Topeka that has the two clubs swapping five players a side. The Rayz received defensemen Bernie John and Chad McIver, goaltender Brent Zelenewich, forward Ryan Carter and the rights to Jason Baird, the team’s leading scorer in exchange for forwards Ken Richardson, Cosmo Dupaul, Jay Woodcroft and Patrick Levesque and defenseman Gary Zinck.
The Rayz promised fans big changes shortly after the hiring of new Rayz Head Coach, Ken McRae and General Manager, Larry Linde. On Thursday, that big news splashed heavily into the Coastal Bend and sent local fans into hockey hysteria just weeks into the off-season. The trade reunites five stellar players with their former coach, as each of the players acquired by Corpus played under McRae last season in Indianapolis, where he and Linde each served in the same capacity. Indianapolis relocated to Topeka following the completion of last season.
Highlighting the trade for Corpus Christi are the additions of John and the rights to Baird. The Rayz picked up a four time all-star and last year’s “CHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman” Award recipient in John and a league MVP finalist and All-Star Game MVP in Baird. The duo could provide the scoring punch the Rayz were looking for last year as they had 76 and 79 points respectively while missing just a game combined – something that is welcomed to a Rayz squad that was injury plagued for the majority of the season.
“We brought some exceptional talent to Corpus Christi today,” said McRae. “We knew we had a lot of work and rebuilding to do this summer, and in one deal we’ve built a foundation that most any team in this league would be happy to have. The work is hardly over for us, and we’ll keep looking for the best talent out there, but this is a huge step towards the future success of this hockey team.”
Linde echoed his coach’s statements. “We know what we’re getting with these guys, and needless to say we’re thrilled,” he said. “These are the types of players that make any team they’re on much better. They’re excited to be coming and we’re certainly excited to have them.”
John, 32, is considered by many to be one of the best defenseman in AA hockey, and he helped solidify those claims with his spectacular play last season. His 76 points (17 goals, 59 assists) led all CHL defensemen and his nine power play goals ranked second in the league. The veteran blueliner out of Sudbury, Ontario earned just about every honor possible as a member of the Ice. John was named an All-Star in four of his five seasons in Indianapolis, and is the all-time franchise leader for points (353) and assists (262).
John said he was excited about playing for his former coach again. “It was my first choice to come to Corpus Christi,” he said. “I know how to play under (McRae) and know what works for his style. I’m really looking forward to making it out there.”
He also brings veteran leadership and experience to Corpus Christi having played over 660 professional games and helped his team to the 2000 Miron Cup Championship. In this year’s postseason, John led the Ice in points, averaging two a game and finishing a +7 in their first round series with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.
“Everything you want out of a hockey player, Bernie John is,” Linde said. “He anchors a list of fine people and fine hockey players we are bringing to Corpus Christi.”
Baird, 23, was the most explosive offensive forward for the Ice last season. The 6’1”, 205 lb. native of Cayuga, Ontario had the rare distinction of leading his team in both points (79) and penalty minutes (196). He also led the team with a +21 rating for the year. About to enter his fourth season of professional hockey, Baird has been the measure of consistency since turning pro. In 195 games, Baird is averaging almost a point per game, and he has not missed a game in the last two seasons in Indianapolis. Baird, who tied for sixth in the league in scoring last year, is currently under contract with a European team, however the Rayz now own his CHL rights should he decide to remain in the United States.
Ryan Carter, 27, is the second forward acquired by the Rayz in this deal and much like Baird, he brings size and consistency. Carter played in every game last season, while setting career high marks in goals (17) and points (33). Carter was a college standout for Iona of the NCAA, captaining his team and becoming the University’s all-time leading scorer and the all-time career leader in points in his conference (MAAC), scoring 179 points in only 138 collegiate games. For his excellence, in 2002, the British Columbia native was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top collegiate player in the United States.
Chad McIver, 26, has played two seasons of professional hockey after four years at Ferris State University. McIver played two games last season for the Columbus Stars of the United Hockey League under former Rayz Head Coach Malcolm Cameron before finding a home in Indianapolis. A 6’1”, 211 lb. defenseman from Thunder Bay, Ontario, McIver is a stay-at-home defenseman, who compliments Bernie John quite nicely with his style. In 49 games last season for the Ice, McIver had 14 points and 37 penalty minutes.
Zelenewich, 25, made an immediate impact on the CHL last season with his superb play as a rookie. In 25 games, the 5’11”, 175 lb. goaltender out of Winnipeg, Manitoba posted a remarkable 17-6-2 record with a 2.44 GAA and a .922 save percentage. Zelenewich made his claim as one of the best rookie goaltenders last year after three solid seasons as the starting netminder for St. Mary’s of the CIAU. In 2002, Zelenewich led his team to the AUS Championship and the Canadian National Championship game. He appeared in one game in the postseason. At the end of the season, Zelenewich was called up to Manitoba of the American Hockey League.
While the new additions are quite welcome to Corpus Christi they did not come cheap. Ken Richardson had been the team’s captain the past two seasons and is credited for holding the club together during the tumultuous 2002-03 season. Dupaul, 29, battled injuries from the start of the year last season and did not join the team until mid-season after recovering from off-season knee surgery. Woodcroft, 27, tied for the team lead with 16 goals and finished with 31 points, however he missed the final 17 games of the season with a groin injury. Gary Zinck and Patrick Levesque are two rookies that Rayz are sending to Topeka.
In separate news the Rayz also sent rookie defenseman Matt Medvecz to Topeka and goaltender Craig Hillier to Amarillo to complete trades made during the 2003-04 season.