Another Anderson to Austin
October 6, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League have taken a major step forward to improve team toughness, today announcing the signing of forward Dallas Anderson to contract for the 2004-05 CHL season. The big 6-7, 225-pound Anderson was assigned to Austin Monday by the Ice Bats' American Hockey League affiliate in Houston.
The 25-year-old Anderson, a native of Bowsman, Manitoba, attended training camp with the Ice Bats in 1998 as a 19-year old. After his release, he returned to the Canadian Tier II junior level to improve his game while piling up successive 365-plus penalty-minute seasons in the Manitoba Junior League.
Anderson split his rookie pro season in 2000-01 with Corpus Christi, then of the Western Professional League and the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL. In the two seasons that followed, both spent with the Oilers, Anderson then developed into one of the league's top enforcers. Anderson led the league with 378 penalty minutes in 2001-02, and placed third with 365 minutes the following season.
Last season, Anderson spent time with Oilers of a different kind, attending training camp with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. He then played eight games with Flint (Mich.) in the United League, before sidelined for the season to injury.
"Dallas Anderson will be an important part of our team," said Jeff Greenlaw, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "He's a big power forward who will stand in front of the net on the power play, has good offensive skill, and obviously plays with a great deal of toughness."
Greenlaw said Anderson is a different player from the youngster that tried to break into the pros in Austin in 1998.
"There's no comparison, he's a completely different individual," Greenlaw said. "He's grown and filled out. He's a good skater for a big guy, he's got good hands and can put the puck in the net. He had an opportunity to evaluate his game in NHL camp last year, and had a good camp in Houston this year."
Anderson follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Ryan, a six-year fan favorite with the Ice Bats from 1996 to 2002. Ryan Anderson remains the Ice Bats' career leader in games played (389) and penalty minutes (1,283). The elder Anderson will get a chance to see his younger brother in Ice Bats colors, having retired as a player and relocated back to Austin.
Dallas Anderson is the 11th player officially signed to contract for the coming season. He joins forwards Jared Dumba, John McNabb, Mike Olynyk, Benoit Genesse, Jeff Neufeld, Kris Knoblauch and Brent Gay, defenseman Brian Pasko, and goaltenders Matt Barnes and Peter-Emmanuel Brady as Ice Bats officially under contract. With around 20 players expected for the opening of the team's training camp, additional signings will be announced this week.
The Ice Bats are preparing for their upcoming training camp, with the first on-ice practice sessions to take place next Monday, October 11th at Chaparral Ice Center. The Ice Bats will host a preseason exhibition game against the Southeast Division rival Corpus Christi Rayz, beginning at 7:35pm on Friday, October 15th at the Travis County Expo Center. The game is open to the public for general admission seating, with a requested donation to Ice Bats Children's Charities and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Every fan in attendance that donates at least $5 will also receive a ticket to a future Ice Bats regular season home game.
The Ice Bats then open their ninth season of play at the Travis County Expo Center with three home games October 22nd through the 24th, against Southeast Division rivals Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley and Laredo.
Opening Night is Friday, October 22nd. Free magnetic schedules will be given away, and the "Bud True Music Concert Series" begins with an appearance from country artist Rick Trevino.
The following evening, Saturday, October 23rd offers free magnetic schedules and a post-game concert from "Pushmonkey." The UT men's hockey team will also play before the contest.
Opening weekend concludes with "Faith and Family Day" on Sunday, October 24th, and an appearance from the James Jean Band.
Season tickets and corporate partnerships are currently available for the upcoming season. Once again, free Belfry Club membership is included with all full-season packages, and free parking with all full-season and 16-game ticket plans.
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.
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Central Hockey League Stories from October 6, 2004
- RiverKings will honor school employees with special ticket rate - Mississippi RiverKings
- Scorpions Welcome Flyers Coach to Training Camp - New Mexico Scorpions
- Another Anderson to Austin - Austin Ice Bats
- Brahmas sign center Bryan Lundbohm - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs Sign Two Alberta Natives - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Dr. Hockey to Operate at Scorpions Home Games - New Mexico Scorpions
- Here comes Hitchcock - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bucks Sign More Blue Line Help, Three Defensemen Bring Depth - Laredo Bucks
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