Bats Affiliate with Dallas Stars
October 8, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League, along with the National Hockey League Dallas Stars, today announced completion of a historic agreement between the two teams. Under the agreement, the Ice Bats immediately become the Stars' official CHL affiliate, receiving Stars prospects and undertaking a joint marketing effort to promote the sport in the region.
The agreement also states that if Cedar Park voters approve funding of a state-of-the-art, 6,000-seat arena in a bond referendum November 5th, the Stars will purchase the Ice Bats, and move them into the new facility as their primary farm team as early as the 2004-05 season.
"The agreement announced today represents another great step forward for the future of hockey in Austin," said Charles Newman, Ice Bats General Manager. "Any opportunity to be involved with the Dallas Stars is an exciting prospect. They are not only one of the top franchises in the NHL, but also one of the marquee franchises in all of professional sports."
"The two names synonymous with hockey in Central Texas are the Ice Bats and the Dallas Stars," Newman said. "Our fans will be able to see Stars prospects while enjoying the new improvements in our current facility. Our franchises can begin extensive joint marketing to continue to grow upon the proven success of hockey in our area. The potential is also there down the road for us to be the top affiliate of an NHL team, and play in a brand new building."
"We are delighted that the Austin Ice Bats will participate in this exciting project," said Bryan Perez, Executive Vice-President of the Southwest Sports Group. "The Ice Bats' success has paved the way for this new project, and now it's time to take hockey in Central Texas to the next level."
"The residents of Cedar Park are the big winners here. This is the icing on the cake for their new full-service sports and entertainment complex," Perez said. Should voters fail to approve the new arena project, the Ice Bats will remain under their current ownership group, K&J Ice, Ltd.
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The Ice Bats will begin their 2002 training camp with the first on-ice practice sessions tomorrow, October 8th. The Bats will play a preseason exhibition game at 7pm this 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.
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.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2002
- Ice camp free-flowing - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
- Buzzards Add Dynamic Center to Roster - El Paso Buzzards
- Grenville Named Player/Assistant Coach - Laredo Bucks
- Training Camp Changes - San Angelo Saints
- Bats Affiliate with Dallas Stars - Austin Ice Bats
- An Original Returns, as Binns Is Back In Lubbock - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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.
