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Here comes Hitchcock

October 6, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, Texas: October 5, 2004 – The Corpus Christi Rayz are making last second adjustments to their roster for training camp, which is just five days away. On Wednesday they announced that one of the most anticipated attendees is a man who brings with him quite a reputation. Current Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach and former Stanley Cup Winner, Ken Hitchcock will make his way to Corpus Christi next week and assist the Rayz during their 2004 training camp.

Hitchcock, 51, will be in Corpus Christi from October 12th through the 17th where he will join the Rayz and New Mexico Scorpions for their duel training camps. The Rayz and Scorpions are holding training camp in the same venue for the second consecutive season. While in Corpus Christi, Hitchcock will attend practices for both clubs and aid in the coaching of the teams. As an added bonus for the Corpus Christi youth hockey players, Hitchcock will also be assisting in Junior Rayz practices while he is in the Coastal Bend.

"This is a great moment for our hockey programs, and I'm honored that Ken will be coming to Corpus Christi," said Rayz and WD Sports President/CEO Doug Frank. "Ken Hitchcock is arguably the best coach in the National Hockey League, and for him to take the time to come to Corpus Christi and work with both of our teams is a privilege. It should be a lot of fun and I am sure that everybody will learn something."

Hitchcock has spent nine seasons in the National Hockey League and led his team to division championships an amazing six out of nine years. He is one of the most influential people in Texas' hockey history, as the man who brought the Stanley Cup to the Lone-Star State. In 1999, he led the Dallas Stars to their first ever National Hockey League championship, and helped solidify the Stars as an NHL powerhouse, and Texas as a strong hockey market. His success has taken to the international level as well. This summer Hitchcock was Team Canada's coaching staff as they captured Hockey's World Cup with an undefeated record, and he was also a Coach for Team Canada's gold medal winning team at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Hitchcock is currently with the Flyers of the NHL, however not in training camp due to the current lockout. He said he was excited about the prospect of coming to Corpus Christi for camp.

"Hopefully I can bring something to training camp and I am looking forward to working with both teams," he said. "I'm missing the teaching aspect of the game right now, and I think this is a great opportunity to get back into that."

Hitchcock met Frank during his time in Dallas. With a strong reputation as one of the premier teachers of hockey in the world, Hitchcock will be able to add a new element for the Rayz players during training camp. His arrival should also have fans excited about the upcoming year and what is in store for Corpus Christi, as the season approaches.

The Rayz also announced on Wednesday that they had signed rookie forwards Lorne Misita and Michael Mueller. Both will be begin camp with the Rayz on Monday. Misita spent the last three years playing college hockey with the University of Prince Edward Island and Mueller has played in Europe for the past two seasons. The tandem brings the Rayz total number of training camp players to 22.

The Rayz will begin the 2004-05 season in Austin on October 22nd, and host the Laredo Bucks in the first ever event at the AmericanBank Center on November 5th and 7:05pm. Training camp officially opens up on Monday, October 11, 2004. The Rayz will host three preseason games, including one versus the Mexico National Hockey Team in the Memorial Coliseum. Preseason games begin on Thursday, October 14, 2004. Make your plans to be a part of all 30 Corpus Christi Rayz home dates this season and cash in on the Rayz Rewards Season Ticket Benefit Package or "Rayz for Hire" program today. Group rates and corporate sponsorship packages are currently available. For more information, please contact the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK or log on to the Rayz website at www.ccrayz.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from October 6, 2004


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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