Bats Add Three to Camp Roster
October 6, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the signings of three players on the eve of the team's 2002 training camp. Added to the Ice Bats' training camp roster were forwards Matt Kohansky and Mark Coletta, and defenseman Kevin Fournier.
The 24-year-old Kohansky, a native of Norfolk, Massachusetts, played four seasons at Brown University, before spending his rookie pro season overseas. Kohansky scored 10 goals and 15 assists in 20 games last season in Swedish Division I play.
Coletta, 26, from Burnaby, British Columbia, will enter his rookie pro season after four years at Plattsburgh State University in Plattsburgh, New York. Coletta was fourth in scoring for the Cardinals with 11 goals and 16 assists in 32 games last season.
Fournier, 24, from Laval, Quebec, is also a rookie, coming off four years of play at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Scoring 11 points in 25 games for the Yellow Jackets last season, Fournier was regarded as one of the top d-men in the Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
"We feel like these are three good young players who now have to prove they can play at this level," said Brent Hughes, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "Matt Kohansky can provide us with some goal scoring. He was one of the top players at Brown two or three years running. He's offensively gifted, but talented on the defensive side too."
"Mark Coletta is a gritty little guy who can play in the corners or score. He's versatile in that he can play any position on the front line. Kevin Fournier is a stay at home defenseman who moves the puck well. He's been the top defenseman on his team for awhile, and is slightly older coming into the pros, so he'll have more experience than your average rookie."
With today's signings, the Ice Bats have 19 players officially under contract for the coming season. Other players signed include the "STP Fuel Line" of Brett Seguin, Gerald Tallaire and Dan Price, as well as forwards Kelly Smart, Tab Lardner, Ian Larocque, Randy Ponte, Tommy Bolduc and Mike Olynyk. Also signed are defensemen Mike Gaffney, Darryl McArthur, Pat Brownlee, Mike Rees and Doug Johnson, and goaltenders Matt Barnes and Peter Brady.
The team has signed three of a maximum-allowed five "veteran" players, those with 260 games or more of pro experience. However, the Bats have signed all three of their league-required rookies, players with 25 games or less of pro experience.
The Ice Bats also announced the schedule for their 2002 training camp, slated to begin with the first on-ice sessions this Tuesday, October 8th. (A complete training camp schedule is attached to this release). All practice sessions are open to the public.
The Ice Bats will play a preseason exhibition game at 7pm on Saturday, October 12th, vs. the expansion Laredo Bucks at the Travis County Expo Center. The game will be open to the public for general admission seating, with a requested donation to Ice Bats Children's Charities.
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The Ice Bats, defending Southern Conference champions, will open the 2002-03 CHL regular season on Friday, October 18th at the new Ford Center in Oklahoma City. The team's home opener at the newly-remodeled Travis County Expo Center will take place the next night, Saturday, October 19th, against the Laredo Bucks. The Ice Bats will raise Conference and Division championship banners, there will be live music, and free magnetic schedules will go to 5,000 fans.
For the first time in franchise history, the team will play all 32 home games on weekend datesâFriday and Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoons. For the coming season, improvements at the Travis County Expo Center include all-new glass surrounding the rink, safety netting in end zones and corners, and climate control for the first time ever.
Season tickets and corporate partnerships for the 2002-03 Ice Bats season are on sale at the Ice Bats office. Season tickets are available in full season, 16-game and 10-game plans. Free Belfry Club membership is included with all full season packages, and free parking with all full season and 16-game plans.
Individual game tickets are also available through the Ice Bats office or through all Star Ticket outlets, including all Austin-area Albertson's locations. Ticket prices remain the same as last season, and range from $11 to $21, depending on section, with discounted rates for groups of 15 people or more. To charge by phone, fans may call the Ice Bats office at 927-PUCK, or Star Tickets at 469-SHOW. On-line ordering is available through www.startickets.com. For more information, fans may call the Ice Bats Ticket Office at (512) 927-PUCK.
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Central Hockey League Stories from October 6, 2002
- Bats Add Three to Camp Roster - Austin Ice Bats
- Bucks Training Camp Begins Monday - Laredo Bucks
- King and Boileau Assigned, Four Depart - Indianapolis Ice
- ''Camp McRae'' Begins Monday Morning - Indianapolis Ice
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