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Goaltender Nastiuk Departs For Germany

January 28, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi IceRays All-Star goaltender Kevin Nastiuk will be leaving the IceRays to join the Eisbären Berlin (Berlin Polar Bears) team of the DEL league in Germany, IceRays General Manager/Senior VP, Pat Dunn announced Thursday. The DEL is the top league in Germany and one of the premier professional leagues in the world, and Berlin is currently in first place in the league. Nastiuk compiled an 11-10-4 record with a 2.59 GAA and a.921 save percentage with Corpus Christi. The IceRays will begin a three-game weekend Friday night in Allen, and conclude it on Sunday at the American Bank Center on Faith and Family Night at 5:05pm. For more information please call the IceRays at 361.814.PUCK.

Nastiuk, 24, emerged as one of the elite goaltenders in the CHL after his arrival in Corpus Christi in November. The former Carolina Hurricanes NHL Draft selection joined the IceRays on November 15th, and since that time carried the workload for the club. He started 25 of 28 games after signing with the IceRays, and helped overhaul the club's defense. Corpus Christi held their opponent to two regulation goals or less in 16 of the 28 games since Nastiuk was signed. At the time of his departure, the Edmonton, Alberta native leaves the CHL with the second highest save percentage, fourth best goals against average, and despite joining the league a month late he ranks fourth in both games played (26) and minutes played (1503:21). Nastiuk also is tied for the league lead with three shutouts - all of which have come in the last six games.

The CHL took notice of how well Nastiuk played with the IceRays, as the netminder continued to garner league-wide honors. On Dec. 7th Nastiuk was named the CHL Oakley Goaltender of the Week. Earlier this month, Nastiuk was the winning goaltender of the CHL's All-Star Game in Laredo, Texas.

"Kevin has been everything we hoped he would be and more since coming to Corpus Christi," said Dunn. "He proved that he is one of the top goaltenders out there, and we can't thank him enough for what he's done for the IceRays over the last two months. While we are extremely disappointed to see him leave, we also understand that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we're thrilled that Kevin has the chance to seize it. We fully support him in this decision, thank him for his time with the IceRays, and wish him nothing but the best in his future."

The IceRays will continue their four game road trip in Allen on Friday and Laredo on Saturday. The Rays will return home on Sunday at 5:05pm to host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Faith and Family Night. Pre-game festivities including a pre-game concert from the James Roots Band begin at 3:15pm and the doors open at 2:45pm. It's also another installment of the Fine Jewelry Outlet Great Diamond Giveaway where one fan is guaranteed to win a $7,000 diamond at the game. Simply register for free at FJO in the Sunrise Mall, then attend Sunday's game for your chance to win. For more information, please call the IceRays at 361.814.PUCK or visit them online at www.goicerays.com.

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