Ice Dogs Release 2003-04 Opening Day Roster
October 16, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Long Beach Ice Dogs News Release
LONG BEACH, Calif. â Ice Dogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Kevin Kaminski, announced today their opening day roster for their 2003-04 inaugural ECHL season. The team opens the season Friday at Roanoke, marking the first ever match-up between former teams of the WCHL and ECHL.
The Ice Dogs return only two players from last year's team, right wing Craig Lyons and defenseman Nathan Horne. The Ice Dogs feature three key additions this season, wingers John McNabb and Eric Laplante, and defenseman Lee Sorochan. "This is a team with good chemistry", said Kevin Kaminski. "Time will ultimately tell, but we have speed, goal scoring, toughness, grit, leadership and good, young rookies."
McNabb scored 35 goals last season and added 35 assists for the Jackson Bandits of the ECHL. Laplante was a 3rd round draft pick of the NHL's San Jose Sharks in 1998 and has played the last 3 season in the AHL. Sorochan, a 2nd round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 1993, has 310 games of AHL experience including playoffs and 3 games with the NHL's Calgary Flames.
Last season, the Ice Dogs did not play a single game with a completely healthy lineup, setting a WCHL record with over 345 man-games lost to injury. This year they look to get off on the right foot in the physical and highly competitive ECHL. The Ice Dogs will be tested early with a 5-game East Coast swing that will include visits to Johnstown, Wheeling, Trenton, and the 2003 ECHL champions, Atlantic City.
The Ice Dogs home opener is Saturday, November 1st when they take on the Bakersfield Condors at 7pm. Season tickets are available by calling (562) ICE-DOGS.
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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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