Bats in Revamped Division as Rival Bows Out
June 27, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League will remain in a revamped Southeast Division, after the CHL announced finalized conference and division alignments yesterday. For the 2002-03 season, the Ice Bats will have as division rivals the Corpus Christi IceRays, San Angelo Outlaws and expansion Laredo Bucks. Laredo replaces San Antonio in the division, after the Iguanas suspended operations yesterday.
The Bats finished ahead of San Antonio to claim the Division title last season, then downed the Iguanas in a spirited playoff series en route to the President's Cup Finals.
"It's tough to lose San Antonio because of the great rivalry we were building with them," said Charles Newman, Ice Bats General Manager. "But we look forward to welcoming Laredo as the new team in the division, as well as the continuation of the great rivalries we've had with teams like Corpus Christi, San Angelo and Fort Worth, among others."
The rest of the CHL divisional alignment remains the same as last season. The other Southern Conference division, the Southwest, will be comprised of El Paso, Lubbock, New Mexico and Odessa. In the Northern Conference, Bossier-Shreveport, Fort Worth, Indianapolis and Memphis comprise the Northeast Division, while the Northwest Division will include Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita.
With the departure of San Antonio, all Iguanas players have been declared free agents. Ice Bats Coach Brent Hughes said he has interest in several former Iguanas players, but also wants to retain the core nucleus of last season's Southern Conference Championship team. Hughes said he expects to announce the Bats' first player signings within the next week or so.
The Ice Bats also announced today that Player/Assistant Coach Jeff Greenlaw will assume a number of duties left by former full-time Assistant Coach Ken McRae, including recruiting, team travel, player immigration and community relations. McRae was named Head Coach of the CHL Indianapolis Ice in May.
Greenlaw and Bats defenseman Pat Brownlee will conduct the summer's first RollerBat roller hockey clinic this Saturday, June 29th, from 10am to noon, at Factory Mattress, 5601 Brodie Lane. Three other clinics are to take place at Factory Mattress locations in July and August.
The clinics are free of charge, and open to all children ages 6-15, accompanied by a parent or guardian. No pre-registration is necessary. Ice Bats players and coaches will conduct skills and safety demonstrations, and in-line hockey scrimmages. Participants are asked to bring their own in-line skates, stick and helmet. Additional equipment will be available on a limited basis.
For more information on the clinics, fans may call (512) 927-PUCK, or visit the team's website at www.icebats.com.
Season tickets and corporate partnerships for the 2002-03 Ice Bats season are on sale at the Ice Bats office. Season tickets include free Belfry Club membership for full season packages, as well as free parking for all full season and 16-game plans. For next season, improvements at the Travis County Expo Center will include all-new glass surrounding the rink, and climate control for the first time ever.
The Ice Bats' 2002-03 regular season schedule is expected to be released in July or early August. For more information, fans may call the Ice Bats Ticket Office at (512) 927-PUCK.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 27, 2002
- Bats in Revamped Division as Rival Bows Out - Austin Ice Bats
- Outlaws Re-Sign Bishop - San Angelo Saints
- Brahmas sign offensive defenseman Brant Somerville - Fort Worth Brahmas
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