Bats Schedule Preseason Game; Bring Training Camp Roster to 16
October 2, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the scheduling of a preseason exhibition game to be played 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. A complete schedule will be finalized later this week for the team's 2002 training camp, slated to begin with the first on-ice sessions this Tuesday, October 8th.
The Ice Bats also today announced the signings of three players for the 2002-2003 seasonâforwards Ian Larocque, Tommy Bolduc and Mike Olynyk.
The 25-year-old Larocque, a native of Kingston, Ontario, played in 59 games for the Ice Bats last season, scoring 13 goals and 24 assists. Named CHL Player of the Week for November 6th, he also scored four points in 15 playoff games, during the Bats' run to the President's Cup Finals. A product of Northern Michigan University, Larocque played three seasons with Waco and Amarillo in the Western Professional League, before he was obtained in an off-season trade with Amarillo last summer.
From the city and province of Quebec, Bolduc, 21, played with three teams in the East Coast and United Leagues during his rookie season last year. His longest stint was with Knoxville of the United League, where he racked up 159 penalty minutes in 25 games. Bolduc played three full seasons in the Quebec Major Junior League before turning pro.
Olynyk, 20, from Sparwood, British Columbia, will enter his rookie season after four years of play in the British Columbia Hockey League. Olynyk scored 18 goals and 28 assists in 60 games with the Langley Hornets last season.
"I don't think we got to see Ian Larocque at his full capability last year," said Brent Hughes, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "He was kind of stuck as a third line forward, and wound up more as a defensive player. This season, I hope to turn Rocky loose a little more offensively. But I think the fact that he learned the defensive side of the game last year should make him a better overall player."
"Tommy Bolduc had good stats in major juniors," Hughes said. "He's a guy that will stick up for his teammates, and provides us with some toughness. Mike Olynyk is more of a grinder type. He can score when given an opportunity, but he'll be most effective in the corners doing the dirty work with a strong work ethic."
With today's signings, the Ice Bats have 16 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 and Randy Ponte, 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. With today's signings, the Bats also have all three of their league-required rookies, players with 25 games or less of pro experience. Hughes said additional signings this week should bring the training camp roster to 20 or so, to be pared to an 18-man roster for the start of the season.
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The Ice Bats, defending Southern Conference champions, will open the 2002-03 CHL 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 expansion 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 2, 2002
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- Bats Schedule Preseason Game; Bring Training Camp Roster to 16 - Austin Ice Bats
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