Ice Bolsters Roster
October 16, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Indianapolis Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- The Indianapolis Ice finalized its opening night roster with a flurry of transactions today. Joining the opening night roster are gritty forwards Jason Baird, Bryce Classen and Jerry Connell and skilled defenseman Scott Lewis. To make room for the foursome, the Ice released forwards Steven Levac, Bob Miele, Robert Stefan and defensemen Mark Fontas and Milan Sejna.
Baird, who attended training camp this year with the Springfield Falcons (AHL), made his pro debut last season with Cincinnati (ECHL) and was third on the team in scoring with 39 points (18G, 21A) and second in penalty minutes (160). Before turning pro, he was a four-year regular with the Erie Otters (OHL) and accumulated 218 points (87G, 131A) and 699 penalty minutes in 245 career junior games. In his last season with the Otters, he was second on the team in scoring with 88 points (30G, 58A) and first in penalty minutes (237).
Classen, 26, made his pro debut last year in the ECHL with Columbia and Augusta. In 55 games between the two clubs, the speedy forward notched 12 points (8G, 4A), while playing mostly on the third line. Before his first pro stint last season, the native of Aylshan, Saskatchewan played collegiately at Acadia University.
Connell, who stands at 6-4, 210 pounds, will be making his professional debut with the Ice. The 21-year-old forward arrives in Indy after five seasons in the OHL with Barrie and Sudbury. Last season in Sudbury, he was third on the club in scoring with 35 points (16G, 19A) and second in penalty minutes (145).
Lewis, 26, adds to the overall depth back at the blueline as he has a year pro under his belt. He played his first year professionally last season in the ECHL with Mobile and Richmond and combined for 20 points (5G, 15A) and 49 penalty minutes in 69 games between the two teams. Despite playing in just 54 games with Richmond, he placed second on the club in scoring among d-men with 16 points. Before his year in the Coast, the skilled blueliner played four years collegiately at Ferris State University (CCHA-NCAA-I).
With the three additions up front, we add speed, grit and size, which gives me good balance on all three forward lines, said Ice Head Coach Ken McRae. I also thought we needed another puck-handling defenseman that was capable of making that tape to tape pass out of the defensive zone.
The Indianapolis Ice opens up the regular season and its 15th season of hockey in the Circle City with a pair of home games this weekend as the team hosts the Tulsa Oilers on Friday, October 18th and the Memphis RiverKings on Saturday, October 19th. Both games begin at 7:00 p.m. from the Pepsi Coliseum.
Fans can purchase tickets for the first two games and all individual games at all Ticketmaster locations including select Marsh Supermarkets, Karma Records, select L.S. Ayers and the Pepsi Coliseum and Conseco Fieldhouse box offices, or by calling 239-5151 or online at ticketmaster.com
Season tickets are still on sale now and can be purchased by calling (317) 925-4423. For all the latest Ice information, please visit www.indianapolisice.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2002
- A new ice age in Indianapolis - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
- CHL 2002-2003 Season Preview - CHL
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- Ice Bolsters Roster - Indianapolis Ice
- 2002-03 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Team Roster Unveiled - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Oilers Finalize Roster - Tulsa Oilers
- Bucks Air Live on 101.5 FM/1410 AM - Laredo Bucks
- 2002-2003 IceRays Roster is Set - Corpus Christi IceRays
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