Ice Bats Renew NHL Affiliation
June 29, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the renewal of an affiliation agreement with the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League and their top affiliate, the American Hockey League's Houston Aeros. Under the agreement, the Ice Bats will receive AHL-contracted players from the Wild organization, and will be able to place players in Houston's pre-season training camp. The agreement will also allow the Aeros to call up Ice Bats players for competition at the AAA-level.
As a result of the affiliation last season, the Ice Bats were assigned defenseman Aaron Schneekloth and goaltender Miroslav Kopriva from the Aeros. Kopriva, a 6th round draft pick of the Wild in 2003, earned a 12-3 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and franchise record .938 save percentage in 15 Ice Bats appearances. He was 6-4-1 with a 3.52 GAA in 12 appearances with the Aeros, and became the first Ice Bat to be called up to the NHL when he was summoned to the Wild near the end of the NHL season last April.
Schneekloth, a CHL All-Star and finalist for league Outstanding Defenseman honors, scored 16 goals and 27 assists in 59 games with the Ice Bats last season. He also appeared in six games with the Aeros.
"We are once again tremendously excited to be the official CHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Houston Aeros," said Ice Bats President Jeff Buch. "Last season, we were honored to help them develop some of their prized young talent, and we want to continue to create an even stronger relationship. We are looking forward to providing quality hockey to our fans in an all-new venue."
"I thought our affiliation did a great deal for us last year," said Ice Bats Coach Bill McDonald. "Getting Miroslav Kopriva was a shot in the arm when we needed it. Our players have some light in the tunnel, so they know they have a chance to go up to the next level and get noticed. It's been great working with (Assistant General Manager) Matt Shaw and (Head Coach) Rob Daum down in Houston. They're a class organization, and we'll continue to do our part to help them move players up the ladder."
This marks the third consecutive season the Ice Bats will be the Wild's official CHL affiliate, but Austin's relationship with Houston dates back to 1997, when the Aeros were members of the International League.
"The Aeros and Ice Bats have a longstanding and successful relationship, and we are excited to have it continue," Shaw said. "With the proximity of Austin to Houston, we're able to call up players with ease, and give our fans a chance to see our stars of the future while they develop their careers in Austin."
The Ice Bats will begin their 11th season at the all-new Chaparral Ice Arena, located on I-35 between Howard Lane and Wells Branch Parkway. The team's first home game for the 2006-07 season has been scheduled for Saturday, October 21st, with the remainder of the CHL schedule to be released in July.
Season tickets and corporate partnerships for the '06-'07 campaign are currently available, with full-season and half-season ticket plans on sale now. Fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com for more information.
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