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Busy on and off Ice

September 22, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, Texas: September 22, 2003 - The Corpus Christi Rayz have signed forward Jay Woodcroft and rookies Vinnie Jonasson and Patrick Levesque to one-year deals, Rayz General Manager/Senior Vice President Pat Dunn announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Woodcroft, 27, spent last season with the Flint Generals of the United Hockey League where he tallied 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) and 81 penalty minutes in 63 games. Woodcroft is known as an agitator who gets under his opponents skin and takes them off their game. Rayz Head Coach, Al Sims knows how valuable a player like that can be. "He's an in your face center who can check and score," said Sims. "That's an important role." Woodcroft is 6'1", 205lbs. and originally from Toronto, Ontario. Prior to his pro career, he played four seasons at the University of Alabama - Huntsville. After stints in the UHL, ECHL and WCHL, this will be Woodcroft' s first time in the Central Hockey League.

Jonasson, 26, has played 12 professional games for the Wichita Thunder of the CHL in the 1997-98 season, but still qualifies as a rookie when he comes to camp for then Rayz this season. In Wichita, the 5'11", 200 lb. defenseman had one goal, one assist and 6 penalty minutes. He chose to play college hockey in Canada after his short time in the CHL, and played two seasons for the University of Brandon and most recently one year at Regina University. "Vinnie is a two-way defenseman," said Sims. "He can add offense, along with strong defense." Last season, the native of Thompson, Manitoba had nine points (1 G - 8 A) and 8 penalty minutes in 25 games for the Regina Cougars.

The Rayz added another rookie in forward Patrick Levesque. Levesque is a 19 year old who has spent the previous four years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Sherbrooke Beavers and Drummondville Voltigeurs. Last season the 6'0", 180 lb. forward tallied ten points (2 G - 8 A) and 63 penalty minutes in 26 games fro Drummondville.

The Rayz are also keeping very busy on the ice, literally. The playing surface in the Memorial Coliseum is nearly completed and should be ready for skating by the middle of this week. With preseason approaching in just over two weeks, the Rayz are opening up the skating surface for a WD Sports Youth Hockey Camp this weekend. The host of the camp will be former Rayz forward, Tobin Praznik. For more information on the Rayz, the camp or the ice conditions, please call (361) 814- PUCK.

The Corpus Christi Rayz drop the puck on the 2003-04 Central Hockey League season on October 16, when they host the New Mexico Scorpions. Season tickets and group packages are currently available. For more information, please contact the Rayz office at (361) 814-PUCK or check out the Rayz online at www.ccrayz.com.

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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.

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