Rivalry Renewed: Rio Grande Valley Returns for 2013-2014 Season
May 14, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The IceRays will renew an old rivalry next season as the North American Hockey League announced today that the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will join the South Division starting in the 2013-2014 season.
"This is great news for us today as the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees join our league, it will also add a 7th member to the already strong south division," said IceRays general manager Pat Dunn. "More importantly, Rio Grande Valley is inheriting a top notch team in the former Wenatchee Wild, who lost last night in the final of the National Championship."
The Killer Bees were formerly members of the Central Hockey League along with the IceRays before Corpus Christi made the move to the NAHL.
Dunn added how the competition will be heightened. "It will be a tough task for us but by adding Rio Grande Valley, but we will get the old rivalry back which will be great for our fans. It also gives us a closer travel partner. We are looking forward to playing the Killer Bees next season. I also hope that their fans embrace the move to the NAHL as much as the fans in Corpus Christi did."
The Wenatchee Wild will be relocating to Hidalgo, TX playing inside the State Farm Arena and become the seventh team in the NAHL's South Division. The Wild lost to the Amarillo Bulls in the championship last night.
"This is great news for our league, our division and especially our organization," said head coach Justin Quenneville. "Rio Grande Valley was a pro team, had pro fans, and operated professionally in every sense of the way. To have another successful market join our division will build increased credibility and hype in an already reputable division."
The arena features a 6,800-seat arena that configures up to 5,500-seats for ice hockey, football and soccer and a center stage concert capacity of 6,800-seats. The arena also features 25 suites and 500 club seats. The property also includes 2,200 surface parking spaces on site, as well as a 2,000-square-foot lounge with access from outside of the arena, as well as 1,000-square foot bar and 300-square-foot pro shop.
Quenneville also remembers the days of playing in State Farm Arena. "I loved playing there as a player in front of thousands fans who were passionate about the game like ours. I know it will be another great environment to play in."
The schedule for the 2013-2014 North American Hockey League season will be release mid-summer.
Season tickets for the 2013-2014 season of IceRays hockey are now on sale. Call the front office at 361-814-7825 for details or check out the pricing and seating chart online at www.goicerays.com.
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North American Hockey League Stories from May 14, 2013
- Rivalry Renewed: Rio Grande Valley Returns for 2013-2014 Season - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Payden Mielke Signs Commitment with Colorado State - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Wenatchee Wild to Relocate NAHL Membership to Hidalgo, Texas - NAHL
- Wild Fall Short in Robertson Cup Championship Game - Wenatchee Wild
- Amarillo Bulls Win 2013 NAHL Robertson Cup National Championship - NAHL
- Amarillo Bulls Win 2013 NAHL Robertson Cup National Championship - NAHL
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