Bats' "Blood Brothers" to be Unleashed

Published on August 20, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release


The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the signings of veteran forwards Shawn Legault and Kris Waltze to contract for the coming 2003-04 season. The tough duo is expected to represent one of the most feared tandems in the league.

The 26-year-old Legault, a native of Legal, Alberta, returns to the Ice Bats for the second straight season, his fourth overall with the club. The sixth-year pro is widely regarded as one of the league's top "tough guys," after amassing 251 penalty minutes in 40 games with the Bats last year, and 20 more minutes in one game with AAA Houston of the American League. But the 6-3, 215-pound winger also established career highs with 13 goals and 27 points with the Bats last year.

Legault enters this season ranking second on the Ice Bats career penalty minute list. After a junior career that included major junior experience with Tri-City of the Western Hockey League, Legault entered the pro ranks with the Ice Bats in 1998. Playing two seasons on defense, he led the team in penalty minutes both years, ranking 5th in the Western Professional Hockey League with 336 minutes in 1999-2000.

Legault then played the next two seasons with Elmira in the United League, averaging almost 400 penalty minutes per season, while also appearing in 13 games with Syracuse of the American League. And he attended NHL training camps with the Columbus Bluejackets prior to both years.

Last year, Legault appeared in one exhibition game while attending NHL training camp with Edmonton. Upon his release by the Oilers, he returned to Austin, where his season was productive, although twice interrupted. Legault missed nine games early to a foot injury and ten additional games in December and January while serving a league suspension.

Waltze, 25, from Two Hills, Alberta, is also a graduate of the Western Hockey League, playing on the same Tri-City team with Legault in 1996 and 1997. Waltze also broke into the pros in 1998, playing his first two seasons with the then-San Angelo Outlaws of the WPHL. Waltze combined for 571 penalty minutes in his two seasons in San Angelo, leading the Outlaws to the WPHL President's Cup Finals in 1999.

Waltze has spent the past three seasons in the East Coast Hockey League, combining for 6 points and 246 penalty minutes in 50 games with Reading and Toledo last year.

"It's hard to find guys that are tough but can also play the game," said Jeff Greenlaw, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "There's not really a place in today's game for guys that can only fight. Both of these guys are extremely tough, but can also be called upon in a variety of situations. ‘Legs' played on our top scoring line last year, and created a lot of space for his linemates.

Both are veterans who will provide a lot of leadership. When guys on the bench see these guys laying their bodies out, they'll follow suit. And if anyone decides to take liberties with any of our skill players, these guys can take care of business. Of the thirty fights Waltze took part in last year, I'm told he didn't lose one.

The reunion of Legault and Waltze continues a relationship that began in adolescence. The Edmonton-area natives grew up within 20 minutes of each other, and played on the same line at Tri-City.

According to Legault, the two continue to play summer hockey together, and "hang out lots" during the off-season. "They've been dying to play together," says Greenlaw. "They think it's the greatest thing.

With Legault and Waltze, the Bats have signed three of the maximum five "veteran" players allowed under CHL rules—players that have appeared in more than 260 professional games. Center Kelly Smart is the other veteran that has been signed by the club. Forward Tab Lardner and defensemen Darryl McArthur, Pat Brownlee and Daniel Tetrault have also signed for the coming season, giving the Ice Bats seven players officially under contract.

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The Ice Bats begin their eighth season of play on Saturday, October 18th, against the New Mexico Scorpions at the Travis County Expo Center. Two-time defending Southeast Division and Southern Conference champions, the Ice Bats also won the Governors' Cup with the League's top regular season record last year.

Season tickets for the upcoming season are on sale now at the Ice Bats office, in full-, half-season, or 10-game plans. Free Belfry Club membership is still included for all new full season packages, as well as free parking for all full-season and half-season plans.

For more information, fans may call the Ice Bats Ticket Office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from August 20, 2003


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