Corpus Christi Rayz To Suspend Operations

Published on May 20, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rays of the Central Hockey League announced today that they are suspending their business operations and will not play in the upcoming 2008-2009 season. "We had hoped that we could secure a buyer or new partner for the franchise, but as of this point, we have been unable to do so", said W. D. Frank, President of WD Sports Texas, the owner of the Corpus Christi Rayz Central Hockey League franchise. "Unless a bona fide party comes forward in the next week or so, the Rayz will not play in the 2008-2009 CHL season."

The Corpus Christi Rayz, or IceRays as they were formerly known, just completed their 10th season in the Coastal Bend, playing 6 seasons in the Memorial Coliseum before moving to the American Bank Center, which opened in fall of 2004.

"This is a sad day for me personally, as I watched this great sport develop in Corpus Christi for several years before we owned the franchise", said Frank. "I am truly disappointed that we have not secured qualified investors to maintain hockey here."

Any potential investor/owner of the franchise would be required to agree to purchase terms with WD Sports and then apply to the Central Hockey League for approval by the Board of Directors and Board of Governors. "We have had a great relationship with Doug (Frank) over the decade the Rayz have played in South Texas," said Rick Kozuback, President and CEO of Global Entertainment Corporation (AMEX: GEE), which operates the CHL through one of it's subsidiary companies. "We hope that in the very near future that hockey can once again become a staple in the Corpus Christi community and surrounding areas."

"Our business operations will continue for an indeterminate time to settle the final business affairs of the team, and we will continue to manage the last of the season ending issues with the team's contracted players and other personnel. Subject to several existing end of season player trade agreements, the remainder of our contracted player personnel will become unrestricted free agents at a time to be announced by the Central Hockey League. We wish to thank our season ticket holders, casual hockey fans and especially our group of extremely committed corporate sponsors over the years."

A very special thanks to those Rayz fans that have made deposits on their 2008-2009 season tickets. They should contact the Rayz office at their convenience for refunds to be processed.

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