Bats Go To School For Rookies
June 17, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League have farmed the collegiate ranks for a pair of first-year performers, today announcing the signings of defenseman Brian Pasko and forward Brent Gay to contract for the 2004-05 season. The two are expected to lend a physical presence to this year's Ice Bats lineup.
The 6-2, 205-pound Pasko, a native of Lisle, Illinois, is coming off a four-year collegiate career at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Pasko, who will turn 24 later this month, made a splash in his freshman season at WMU-- leading all NCAA players with 195 penalty minutes, smashing the school record formerly held by his coach, Jim Culhane. Adapting to the college game, Pasko limited his penalty box time in each of his following three seasons at Western, but remained a fan favorite for his bone-jarring hits.
In his senior season, Pasko missed 13 games to injury, appearing in 14 games with the Broncos. Prior to attending Western Michigan, Pasko served as captain for his junior team, the Chicago Freeze of the North American Hockey League. He was voted the Most Valuable Player for the NAHL All-Star Game in 2000.
In Austin, Pasko will be reunited with goaltender Matt Barnes, who served as a volunteer coach with Western Michigan last year.
Gay, 24, from Melville, Saskatchewan, is a 6-0, 205-pound power forward coming off four years of play at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. A first-team All-Conference performer last season, Gay scored 9 goals and 23 assists in 28 games with the Trojans, a perennial favorite in the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference. As a sophomore, he was on the Trojan team that won the ACAC championship. Ranking third on the team in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons, Gay scored 18 goals and 20 assists in 25 games in 2002-03.
"These two players will help address some of the areas in which we were lacking last year," said Jeff Greenlaw, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "It's clear we needed to get bigger as a hockey club, and find gritty guys who will compete every night."
"Brian Pasko is a big, solid, stay-at-home defenseman who will help us protect Matt Barnes," Greenlaw said. "We know âBarnesy' will make that first save. Now we want to surround him with players than can clear the puck and keep bodies from the front of the net."
"Brent Gay is a high-energy, big, aggressive forward," Greenlaw continued. "He brings good skill to the table, but his primary benefit is his aggressive, physical play. With a full four years of college under their belts, both of these players bring the added benefit of a little more experience than your typical rookies."
Along with former CHL Outstanding Goaltender Barnes, Pasko and Gay join forwards Tab Lardner and Mike Olynyk as Ice Bats officially under contract for the coming season.
The Ice Bats will begin their ninth season of play this October at the Travis County Expo Center. Season tickets and corporate partnerships are currently available for the upcoming season. 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.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 17, 2004
- Bats Go To School For Rookies - Austin Ice Bats
- Matt Frick to Return for Third Season - San Angelo Saints
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