Baird Back In Corpus Christi

Published on September 7, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rayz have signed All-Star forward, and former team MVP, Jason Baird for the 2007-2008 season, Rayz Head coach Ken McRae announced on Friday. Baird, who has 143 points in 125 games in his Corpus Christi career, returns for his fourth season with the Rayz. After missing most of the 2005-2006 season with an injury, Baird returned to his point per game form, leading the Rayz in assists and finishing second on the team in scoring last season. The veteran has 342 career points in 328 games, spanning over three leagues. Baird and the Rayz will begin their 10th Anniversary season in six weeks with a trip to Rio Grande Valley on Friday, October 19th. Season tickets and corporate packages are currently available through the Rayz office. For more information, please call (361) 814-PUCK.

Baird, who turns 27 next week, concluded his first season back from injury with 16 goals, 45 assists and 61 points in 61 games. He also tallied 139 penalty minutes - placing second on the team. Baird additionally contributed nine points (3g, 6a) in 12 playoff games. In his three seasons with the Rayz, Baird has racked up totals that rank among all-time franchise leaders. Baird's 96 assists place him third on the franchise list, while his 143 points rank fourth. Baird's return to the Rayz will be his sixth straight under McRae, and the fourth consecutive season that the tandem has been in South Texas with the Rayz.

"After bouncing back from a tough injury, Jason still ended up as a point a game guy," said McRae. "Even though that was a big accomplishment, I know he can come up with even bigger and better numbers this season. Last season he still had nights where the injury plagued him. He fought through those times and helped our club, but it definitely was a struggle. He's been here a few years now, and when he's healthy people know what they can expect out of him. I know he's worked hard in the gym all summer to get back to 100% healthy and he will be there by training camp. I've seen his progress through the summer, and he will be a more complete player this season."

Baird becomes the fourth and final veteran to sign with the Rayz. Central Hockey League restrictions allow only four players who have played in more than 260 pro games per roster. Baird, who has appeared in 328 pro games, joins Geno Parrish, Joe Blaznek and Nick Lindberg as the four vets on the Rayz roster. Baird also becomes the eighth returning player from last season, along with Justin Quenneville, Kevin Watters, Adam Powell, Chris Mei, Kevin Couture, Parrish and Lindberg.

McRae added, "As a veteran, Jason must bring leadership skills, and we know he'll add grit this season. He will be counted on heavily for offensive production and to help lead this club on and off the ice."

Baird was the Rayz leader in goals, points and penalty minutes in the 2004-2005 season - his first in Corpus Christi. He was impressive, tallying 30 goals and 74 points in 60 games. The 6'1", 210lbs. power forward also added 222 penalty minutes, finishing the season as the only player in the CHL with at least 70 points and 200 penalty minutes. Baird's 30 goals were a career high. The perennial All-Star was off to another stellar start in the 2005-2006 season, tallying eight points in the season's opening three games. The strong performance was expected to be just a foreshadowing of what the Baird and the Rayz would provide all season long. However, an ill-timed collision in just the fourth game of the season forced Baird out of the lineup for the remainder of the year with a knee injury. The loss of Baird proved to be a larger blow than expected and completely changed the complexion of the Rayz season. Now, Baird is set to return for another season in Corpus Christi and confident in what the future brings.

"I feel pretty good right now," said Baird. "I have a month left to get to where I need to be for training camp, but so far everything's been going well this summer. I've been working hard and feel this year can be another great season, both for me personally and this team.

"Last season was tough," Baird added. "To come back after missing a year and still having problems was a big obstacle. This year, after working with doctors and trainers all summer, I hope to be back to the form I was before the injury."

Baird said that the way the team shapes up for this season offers a strong prospect for a solid offensive year and a good group of guys off the ice.

"I think we have a better offense than we did last year, and last year we weren't bad," said Baird. "Adding a guy like Blaznek is huge, and with the (seven other) guys we have coming back it's only a matter of time before we get the same chemistry we had last year that made us successful. I think we can put together a very good year with this team."

Throughout his career, Baird has continued to garner impressive achievements that gained him the reputation as one of the premier players in minor pro hockey. Baird was the only man in the CHL lead his team in both points and penalty minutes in 2003-04 as well as 2004-05. In 2005 he tied for the Southern Conference lead in points. He continued his resume building achievements by recording hat tricks in back to back CHL All-Star Games to earn MVP honors in both.

Baird has had a busy summer. In addition to his rehabilitation, Baird was married early in the summer, and just two weeks ago, his wife Bethany gave birth to their first daughter, Addison.

The Corpus Christi Rayz return to the American Bank Center for their 10th Anniversary on Saturday, October 20th at 7:05pm. The Rayz are proud to be celebrating a decade along the Gulf Coast and invite all of South Texas to join in the fun of the 2007-2008 campaign. Season tickets and corporate packages are currently available through the Rayz office. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

RAYZ 2007-2008 ROSTER

Joe Blaznek F

Jason Baird LW

Jay Chrapala G

Kevin Couture G

Adam Hogg C

Brent Howarth RW

Jon Jankus F

Nick Lindberg C

Adam Powell LW

Justin Quenneville C

Derek Smith F

Kevin Watters RW

Drew Baker D

Chris Mei D

Geno Parrish D

Ryan Swanson D

Jason Tapp G

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from September 7, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central