Ice Bats' Top Two Scorers Return
June 19, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the first signings of the off-season with the return of the team's top two scorers, John McNabb and Aaron Davis. The two forwards have been signed to contract for the 2006-07 season, the Ice Bats' first at Chaparral Ice Arena.
The 28-year-old McNabb, from Calgary, Alberta, will enter his eighth professional season, his third with the Ice Bats. McNabb has led the Ice Bats in scoring in each of the last two seasons. Last season, McNabb scored 33 goals and 36 assists in 63 games, including a team-most 10 power play and 6 shorthanded goals. That came on the heels of a 37-goal, 37-assist campaign in his first year with the team in 2004-05. A CHL All-Star in both seasons with Austin, McNabb was runner up for Southern Conference MVP at the 2005 game. The veteran winger was also an East Coast Hockey League All-Star in 2000.
"John is an offensive force that teams in our league have to reckon with," said Ice Bats Head Coach Bill McDonald. "He's a potent goal-scorer, and he likes to have the puck on his stick in big situations. I thought he really came along last year as a leader for our hockey club, too. His return is key for our team moving forward."
Davis, 26, from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, will enter his fifth pro season as a swift, playmaking center. Davis scored 17 goals and a team-most 38 assists in 61 games last season. And most of his team-high 6 game-winning goals came at dramatic times-- including overtime and shootout winners vs. Rio Grande Valley last January, and two other scores in the final 2:17 of games. A product of Lake Superior State University, Davis also appeared with CHL teams in Fort Worth and Odessa, prior to his acquisition by the Ice Bats in a trade last September.
"Aaron was one of our best players down the stretch, on both ends of the ice," McDonald said. "He's got great hands, and has a good feel for the game. He makes the other players around him better, and scores goals at pivotal times. Aaron and John were two guys we definitely wanted to have back and to build our team around."
The Ice Bats will begin their 11th season in October looking to pick up where they left off. A 34-27-3 record in 2005-06 included a 24-10-1 run over the season's second half, as the team took their playoff chase into the final day of the season.
The Ice Bats will play the coming 2006-07 season in a new home-the Chaparral Ice Arena, located on I-35 between Howard Lane and Wells Branch Parkway. Season tickets and corporate partnerships for the season 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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Central Hockey League Stories from June 19, 2006
- Ice Bats' Top Two Scorers Return - Austin Ice Bats
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