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Ice Bats Owner Joins Amarillo Ownership Group

February 21, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release


(Austin, TX) - The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced that the team's Owner and President, Randy Sanders, has also purchased a partial ownership stake in the CHL Amarillo Gorillas. Although Sanders will be part of a nine-person ownership group in Amarillo, his addition is expected to stabilize that franchise in the Texas Panhandle.

"Like the Ice Bats, I believe that the Amarillo franchise has great potential for success," Sanders said. "They gave me an opportunity to invest in the team, and I jumped at it. All the ingredients are there. It's a loyal city with good facilities, and I hope to keep hockey in Amarillo for a long time."

Sanders, who joined the Ice Bats as a partial owner in 2006, took over sole ownership of the team just prior to the current season. He said his investment in Amarillo will have no bearing on his plans for sustaining pro hockey in Austin.

"They're two separate business opportunities," Sanders said. "Each has its strengths and its weaknesses. I am still in the process of sorting through multiple options for building a new facility for the Ice Bats, and I am committed to continue playing in the Austin area for years to come."

The Ice Bats continue their playoff drive with home games Thursday and Saturday nights at Chaparral Ice Arena. Game time is 7:35 both nights.

Saturday, the Ice Bats will host "Komen Night," as they face the Corpus Christi Rayz. Ice Bats players will wear special pink ribbon jerseys throughout the game, and will use pink hockey sticks during pregame warm-ups. Both items are currently on sale, with proceeds to go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the battle against breast cancer. A portion of gate ticket proceeds will also go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Austin affiliate. For more information, or to make a purchase, call 512-927-PUCK.

The Ice Bats are the AA Affiliate for the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Houston Aeros (AAA). The team is currently playing its 12th season in Austin. Single game tickets and mini-plans are available by calling 512-927-7825 or visiting icebats.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2008


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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