
Bats sign top former CHL d-man
Published on July 30, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the signing of two-time All-Star defenseman Daniel Tetrault (pronounced TET-ro) for the coming 2003-04 season. Tetrault, winner of the CHL Outstanding Defenseman award for 2001-02, returns to the Bats after spending last season in the American and East Coast Hockey Leagues.
The 23-year-old Tetrault, a native of La Broquerie, Manitoba, enters his fourth pro season after a five-year junior career with Brandon of the Western Hockey League, winning the WHL title in 1996. A 4th-round NHL draft choice of Montreal in 1997, Tetrault attended camp with the Canadiens in 1997 and 1998, before he was sidelined by a leg injury.
Battling back to sign with the Ice Bats in 2000, Tetrault was nominated for Western Professional League Rookie of the Year honors, and appeared in the 2001 WPHL All-Star Game. Tetrault followed that up with an outstanding campaign in 2001-02, finishing among the top ten CHL defensemen with 43 points, and ranking second among all players at +35.
Selected as a starter for the 2002 CHL All-Star Game, Tetrault was named the League's Outstanding Defenseman at the conclusion of that season. Called up twice to Bridgeport of the American League during the regular season, Tetrault finished the 2001-02 campaign with the Sound Tigers en route to their appearance in the Calder Cup Finals.
Tetrault split last season between the AAA-level Sound Tigers and their ECHL affiliate in Trenton, scoring a combined 21 points in 67 games.
"It'll be great to have Daniel Tetrault back," said Jeff Greenlaw, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "He's a very intense player, and a good "team guy" and leader. And he can do it all. He can score... he's one of the great open ice hitters at this level, and he can drop the gloves if need be, although we'll have other guys to handle that role.
"Tetsy spent half of last year in the American League, and has the talent, drive and hunger to get back there again," Greenlaw said. "Hopefully, we can give him a chance to do that.
Tetrault is the third player to sign with the Ice Bats for the coming season, joining forwards Kelly Smart and Tab Lardner on the current roster.
"I'm looking forward to getting lots of ice time, and helping the team win," Tetrault said. "I have a lot of friends in Austin from my two years there, and I know Greeny will do a good job. Bottom line, they want to win, and I know I can help. It'll be good to play a lot in one place, and then I'm pretty confident I can get called up. Teams know about me and what I can do.
Greenlaw said the team will finalize the signings of several other players in the next few weeks.
"We're real close to locking up a good core of players from last year's team," Greenlaw said. "We've still got some major decisions to make because of the veteran rule and salary cap restrictions. But everyone wants to come back, and that's a good sign.
Under CHL rules, teams are allowed no more than five "veteran" players, those with more than 260 games of pro experience. Smart is the only player on the current roster to fit that standard, but several others from last season's squad also qualify as "veterans" under the rule.
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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 July 30, 2003
- He's A Killer! - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Bats sign top former CHL d-man - Austin Ice Bats
- Three Rookies Added to Blazers Roster - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Thunder Re-Sign Leiter - Wichita Thunder
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.
