Change on the Horizon

Published on January 15, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, TX - The Corpus Christi Rayz have made several moves to their hockey organization Thursday afternoon, Rayz General Manager/Senior Vice President Pat Dunn announced. The Rayz traded rookie goaltender Rob Garrick to the Lubbock Cotton Kings and rookie forward Chris Page to the Tulsa Oilers.

Six new players have also come to Corpus Christi, and while they remain unsigned, it's possible that as many as all of them could be playing in the Rayz first game under Cameron, Saturday night as the Rayz host the Laredo Bucks.

The six players brought into Corpus Christi were all members of the Columbus Stars of the United Hockey League – the team Cameron coached until they were forced to suspend operations permanently last week due to financial problems. Cameron has brought in two forwards, Matt Noga and Paul Dunphy, two defensemen, Matt Medvecz and Gary Zinck and two goaltenders, Greg Hewitt and Craig Hillier. At the time of their termination, the Stars were in first place in their conference.

Noga, 27, was one of the most sought after players in minor league hockey since the Stars dismantled. He is averaging a point a game over the last two seasons. Dunphy, 24, is a rookie who has ten points in 33 games this year. Medvecz, 25, and Zinck, 23, bring size to the Rayz blue line. At 6'1" and 6'4" respectfully, the two players should help strengthen the Rayz defensive core. Hewitt, 25, and Hillier, 25, are two netminders that are very well respected throughout professional hockey. Prior to this season, and after the Stars folded, teams from several different leagues, including the American Hockey League, were trying to recruit Hewitt. The fact that he followed Cameron is a testament to how players respect him. In 24 games this season, Hewitt had a 13-6-4 record, a 2.43 GAA and .914 save percentage. Hillier posted good numbers as well with a winning record and a 2.76 GAA. Hillier is a former NHL 1st round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With Page and Garrick off of the team's roster, there are now four spots that must be opened if all six new additions are to join the team immediately. The departure of Page and Garrick opens up one position at both goaltender and forward, however with two players at each position possibly being added, jobs are certainly on the line. Final decisions on the roster moves must come before the Rayz next game Friday night.

When Malcolm Cameron took over as Head Coach of the Corpus Christi Rayz earlier in the week, he made it no secret that changes were soon on the horizon. Those changes started with a bang on Thursday as both Page and Garrick were dealt away. Terms of both deals remained undisclosed.

The Rayz who are 13-19-3 and eight points behind a playoff spot in the Southern Conference will have a new coach, and a new look as they face the Laredo Bucks on Friday night at the Memorial Coliseum. Good seats are still available. To see the new look Rayz for the first time under Head Coach Malcolm Cameron, call (361) 814-PUCK or come to the Memorial Coliseum box office on game night. The Rayz continue their weekend of hockey Saturday night against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and Monday night versus the Lubbock Cotton Kings. Tickets for all games are still available.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2004


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