Home sweet home

Published on July 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, Texas – After months of anticipation, the Corpus Christi Rayz professional hockey team and the American Bank Center have reached an agreement in principal to make the brand new, state of the art arena in downtown Corpus Christi, the Rayz' new home, Rayz President/CEO Doug Frank announced Friday afternoon. At a press conference located just outside the new building, the Rayz also announced that the team will continue to operate the Memorial Coliseum as an ice facility that will house all of Corpus Christi's recreational hockey programs.

Several key members of the Corpus Christi community were on hand, including Mayor Loyd Neal, as Frank announced an agreement that will ensure that the American Bank Center will be the home for the Rayz for at least the next five years. The American Bank Center is currently in construction and will be completed in time to host every Rayz regular season game for the upcoming 2004-2005 Central Hockey League season.

"This is the beginning of something special," sad Frank. "The biggest sports team and the biggest venue in Corpus Christi should provide the fans with an amazing show. When the season begins, the people of Corpus Christi will really have something to talk about."

Rayz General Manager/Senior Vice President, Larry Linde, said that this agreement is just one of many improvements Rayz supporters can expect to see this season.

"Together the Rayz and the American Bank Center will provide a scene unlike any that this city has ever seen before," said Linde. "The fans will be thrilled once they see what we have in store for them this year."

The American Bank Center promises to be one of the nicest buildings in South Texas as well as the CHL, providing the Rayz with a home that few professional sports teams can rival. The arena will house over 7,500 fans for hockey games and comes fully equipped with state of the art amenities, two VIP club rooms and an atmosphere that is guaranteed to impress Rayz fans.

"This is a thrilling day in the short history of the American Bank Center," said Marc Solis, the General Manager of the American Bank Center. "The Rayz are going to play a very important role in the overall success of the arena. They are an integral part of the community and we are extremely proud and excited to be teaming up with them."

The upcoming season will be the seventh for the Corpus Christi Rayz. In the six previous seasons, the Rayz have known only one home, in the city's historical Memorial Coliseum. Friday afternoon, the Rayz announced that they will still be working with the building affectionately called, "The Igloo." The Rayz will operate the Coliseum as a primary ice facility for the public of Corpus Christi. The agreement worked out between the Rayz and the Memorial Coliseum will ensure that all skating programs, including youth hockey, adult hockey and public skating will be continued through the end of the 2004-2005 season. The Coliseum will also offer a secondary sheet of ice for the Rayz, as needed during the year.

"It was imperative for us that the community of Corpus Christi was thought of throughout this entire process," said Frank. "We made it a priority to have an ice rink available to all those who wish to use it. The Rayz try to promote hockey and skating with more than just our games. The Coliseum has given us the means to continue that and we're very excited."

The Rayz will even be able to expand their skating times and opportunities to the public with this deal because there will be more time available for ice in the Coliseum than in the past.

The Rayz 2004-2005 CHL season begins in late October. For more information on Rayz season tickets, group tickets, corporate sponsorship opportunities, or other ways you can be a part of all the excitement with the Rayz as they enter the American Bank Center, please contact the Rayz office at (361) 814-PUCK.

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Central Hockey League Stories from July 9, 2004


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