Former NHL Coach Camps With Bats
Published on October 10, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League opened their 2005 training camp with two experienced hands at the helm. Joining veteran Ice Bats Coach Bill McDonald for on-ice sessions this week is former National Hockey League Head Coach John Torchetti.
A veteran of nine years in the professional coaching ranks, Torchetti coached the CHL San Antonio Iguanas for two years in the mid-â90's, then manned the bench for two seasons with Fort Wayne of the International League.
Promoted to the NHL in 1999, Torchetti was an Assistant Coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons. He then served as Head Coach with Florida's top affiliate, the American Hockey League San Antonio Rampage in 2002-03, and was an Assistant Coach with the NHL Panthers for two seasons. In late 2004, Torchetti was promoted to Head Coach of the Panthers, and guided the team for its final 27 games before the lockout.
"Torch and I go back a long way," McDonald said. "We first got acquainted in the Central League when I was in Fort Worth and he was in San Antonio, and we both coached in the IHL. It's always good to have another voice for the players, especially one with as much experience as John has. He's been at hockey's highest level, and that means something to players."
In addition to imparting wisdom to Ice Bats players, Torchetti is using the experience to prepare himself to coach Team USA at the Duetschland Cup, a weeklong pro tournament in Germany in November.
"With some family connections in the area, I asked Macker if he'd like some help coaching the team in camp," Torchetti said. "I'm happy to pass on whatever I can, little things like getting back in proper position on defense. Macker's teams always are competitive and play hard every night. I think he got off to a good start today, and the team worked pretty hard. So I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish over the course of the week."
The Ice Bats continue 2005 training camp sessions tomorrow, Tuesday, October 11th at Chaparral Ice Center. The Bats will play three preseason exhibition games, with two to be played at the Travis County Expo Center. The team will travel to College Station for a 7pm game this Thursday, October 13th against Southeast Division rival Laredo at Arctic Wolf Ice Center.
The Ice Bats will then return for a pair of preseason games at the Bat Cave. The Bats will face the Laredo Bucks in a rematch beginning at 7:30pm this Friday, October 14th. The game is open exclusively to Ice Bats season ticket holders, with the Ice Bats and their Booster Club hosting a "Meet the Players" Tailgate immediately following the game.
The Bats will wrap up the preseason schedule with a home contest beginning at 4pm this Sunday, October 16th against the Memphis RiverKings. That game is free and open to the public, with donations to be taken for Ice Bats Children's Charities.
The Ice Bats will then begin their 10th-Anniversary 2005-06 season hosting Corpus Christi on Friday, October 21st at the Travis County Expo Center. The 64-game CHL schedule includes 30 home dates at the "Bat Cave," as well as a pair of home games scheduled for March at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton.
Tickets for individual home games are on sale now through the Ice Bats office at 927-PUCK, or at any Texas Box Office location, including all Austin-area HEB stores. Fans may also purchase seats at any Get Tix outlet, including Waterloo Records and any Austin-area Pinky's Wireless location.
For on-line orders, fans may visit www.TexasBoxOffice.com or www.GetTix.Net. To charge by phone, fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at 927-PUCK, Texas Box Office at (512) 477-6060, or Get Tix at 1-866-4-Get Tix.
Individual game tickets range in price from $11 to $35, depending on section, with discounted rates for groups of 15 or more. In addition to individual game tickets and group outings, season tickets and corporate partnerships are currently available for the upcoming season, with full-season, half-season and 10-game ticket packages on sale now. Fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com for more information.
AUSTIN ICE BATS - 2005 TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE (Times and sites subject to change. All practices open to the public).
Tues., Oct. 11th noon-2pm Practice at Chaparral Ice Center*
Wed., Oct. 12th 10:30am-12:30pm Practice at Chaparral Ice Center*
Thurs., Oct. 13th 9am-10am Practice at Travis Co. Expo Center 7pm Preseason Game vs. Laredo (at College Station)
Fri., Oct. 14th 10am-11am Practice at Travis Co. Expo Center 7:30pm Preseason Game vs. Laredo (Travis Co. Expo Center)
Sat., Oct. 15th noon-2pm Practice at Travis Co. Expo Center
Sun., Oct. 16th 9am-10am Practice at Travis Co. Expo Center 4pm Preseason Game vs. Memphis (Travis Co. Expo Center)
Mon., Oct. 17th 11am-12:30pm Practice at Travis Co. Expo Center
Tues., Oct. 18th 9am-10:30am Practice at Travis Co. Expo Center
Wed., Oct. 19th 10:30am-noon Practice at Travis Co. Expo Center
* (Chaparral Ice Center is located at 14200 N. IH-35, near Wells Branch Pkwy).
Central Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2005
- Mudbugs Training Camp Underway - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- New League Rules Figure In First Day Of Camp - Tulsa Oilers
- Borsheim, McGrane Come to Colorado via AHL Teams - Colorado Eagles
- Former NHL Coach Camps With Bats - Austin Ice Bats
- RiverKings Fan Fest kicks off in two days - Mississippi RiverKings
- Mudbugs single game tickets on sale now - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bucks announced they will wear Aggie's hockey jerseys on Thursday - Laredo Bucks
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