Ice Bats Busy at Trade Deadline

Published on February 3, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release


The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League were the league's busiest team at yesterday's CHL trade deadline, announcing completion of two separate trades with Fort Worth and Corpus Christi. The Ice Bats acquired goaltender Brent Belecki from the Fort Worth Brahmas, in exchange for defenseman Scott McCallum and future considerations. The Bats also obtained defenseman Trent Brandvold from Corpus Christi, in exchange for defenseman Clint Way.

The 26-year-old Belecki, a native of Calgary, Alberta, is in his sixth professional season. After four years of junior play with Portland in the Western Hockey League, Belecki spent his first two pro seasons largely in the East Coast League. He then compiled his best career season, earning a 34-17-4 record and 3.05 goals-against average with Asheville of the United League in 2000-01.

Prior to the 2001-02 season, Belecki attended training camp with Utah of the American League, top affiliate of the Dallas Stars. He was assigned to San Antonio, and put together a CHL All-Star season, with an 18-7-5 record and 2.38 GAA. Belecki lost a tough first-round series to the Ice Bats in the 2002 CHL Playoffs.

Last season, Belecki appeared in 58 games with Corpus Christi, and was 10-14-3 with the Rayz this year before getting traded to Fort Worth in mid-January. Belecki was 1-2 in three appearances with the Brahmas.

Brandvold, 27, from Smithers, British Columbia, is in his second pro season. After attending the University of Lethbridge in Canada, Brandvold appeared in all 64 games with Corpus Christi as a rookie last year. He started this season with the Beaumont-based Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL, then scored four points in 32 games upon returning to Corpus Christi.

McCallum had six points in 37 games with the Ice Bats, while Way had three assists in 42 games in Austin.

"Jonathan Forest has done a fabulous job in net for us, but has played 11 games in a row and needs to be spelled," said Jeff Greenlaw, Ice Bats Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. "In Brent Belecki, we bring in a quality goaltender and a quality person to give us a good one-two punch in net. He'll not only help us down the stretch, but toward our goal of winning a championship."

"Trent Brandvold is another solid defenseman, a big, tough kid with a great shot," Greenlaw said. "We certainly know him well, having seen him in our division. We wish Scott McCallum and Clint Way all the best, but we're happy with the changes we've made. Now, it's in the guys' hands."

19-19-6 on the season, the Ice Bats are tied with Rio Grande Valley for second place in the Southeast Division, and for the final Southern Conference playoff position. The Bats return to action tonight at Laredo, then return home for games Wednesday and Saturday against Rio Grande Valley, and Sunday against Tulsa.

Wednesday night, one lucky fan has a chance to shoot for a new Ram pickup, in the Dodge "Score-O" contest. And after the game, fans can join the Ice Bats for a post-game party at Lavaca Street Bar, 405 Lavaca, downtown.

Saturday is "Trading Card Night," courtesy of State Farm Bank. The second half-set of Ice Bats trading cards goes to 3,000 fans. Then, after the game, the "Crown Royal Concert Series" gears back up, with a post-game performance from the rock band "Vallejo."

Sunday is Time Warner Cable Family Day. Fans may purchase a package of four tickets, Pepsis, hot dogs and a game program for just $49.99. And former Ice Bats Andy Ross and Ryan Anderson will be on hand, joining Kelly Smart, Brett Seguin and Coach Jeff Greenlaw as the first enshrinees in the "Ice Bats Fan Club Hall of Fame."

Tickets to all home games are now available at all Texas Box Office locations, including the Ice Bats ticket office and all Austin-area HEB stores. On-line ordering is available through www.TexasBoxOffice.com. To charge by phone, fans may call Texas Box Office at (512) 477-6060, or the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK. Individual game tickets range in price from $10 to $30, depending on section, with discounted rates for groups of 15 or more.

For more information, fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2004


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