Buzzards to Open Lucky Seventh Season on Road
October 17, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
EL PASO, Texas â The El Paso Buzzards, having been temporarily replaced in their Coliseum corral by western stars Woody and Jessie of Disney On Ice's Toy Story 2, will saddle up and ride off to San Angelo to begin their lucky seventh season against the newly-named Saints. Buzzards' head coach and director of hockey operations Craig Coxe has his cowboys selected from an original training camp roster of 28 down to a fit and trim 16 and is ready to hit the trail toward a third President's Cup championship.
"I don't mind starting on the road," said Coxe. "It gives us an opportunity to work out the kinks before entertaining the hometown crowd." Though this is Coxe's first season coaching in the Nest, he is not unfamiliar with how hockey goes in El Paso. "I played a game at the County Coliseum when I was with Corpus Christi," said Coxe, speaking of his 1998-1999 season. "It's been a long time, but I remember being impressed with El Paso's boisterous crowd and I am looking forward to sharing in their enthusiasm."
The Central Hockey League allows for a roster of up to 18 players and with two spots open, Coach Coxe is in negotiations to fill those spots by Friday's game against San Angelo. He has already chosen his captain, Russ Guzior, and assistant captains, Jeff Scharf and Buzzards returnee Rhett Dudley, from the three veterans he has on his roster. The rest of the team is made up of four rookies and nine non-veterans.
The San Angelo Saints, formerly the Outlaws, tout a team chock full of former Buzzards in goaltender Jamie Ronayne (2001-2002), defenseman Corri Moffat (1997-2000), forwards Jamie Thompson (1996-1998) and Chris Peach (2001-2002) and coach Brent Scott (1996-1998, 2000-2001). The Buzzards will look to get past the Saints' defense and cut down on opportunities for scoring threat Thompson who, as a Buzzard, was the WPHL's Most Valuable Player in the 1997-1998 season.
The Corpus Christi IceRays, now led by former NHL Head Coach Al Sims, beat the Buzzards in both exhibition games this pre-season. Coach Coxe doesn't let that statistic worry him or his Buzzards as they look to take on Sims' defensive IceRays on Saturday in Corpus Christi. "From what I can see, they are a hard working club and I look forward to playing against them on Saturday," said Coxe.
Both Buzzards games can be heard on 1380 AM "El Paso's Sports Ticket" beginning at 5:45 pm on Friday and Saturday. Interim broadcaster Dan Weiss of the Corpus Christi IceRays and Corpus Christi radio guru Rick Dames will handle the play-by-play for both Friday's and Saturday's games until the Buzzards' new broadcaster is announced.
The El Paso Buzzards play in the professional Central Hockey League. The team is entering their seventh season of play in El Paso with a home opener on Saturday, October 26th as they take on the San Angelo Saints. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are still available for the 2002-2003 season by calling the Buzzards' office at (915) 533-PUCK or by visiting www.elpasobuzzards.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2002
- Darren Pang Joins Ice as Goaltending Coach - Indianapolis Ice
- Buzzards to Open Lucky Seventh Season on Road - El Paso Buzzards
- Cosmo Dupaul Traded to Corpus Christi - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Brahmas sign defenseman Craig Johnson, make final roster decisions - Fort Worth Brahmas
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