IceGators will retire No. 24 on Opening Night

August 21, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release


Lafayette, LA – The Louisiana IceGators will retire all-time ECHL assist leader Chris Valicevic's No. 24 jersey during a special ceremony at their home opener at the Cajundome on Saturday, October 18, against Mississippi at 7:05 p.m. Valicevic will become the first player in team history to have his number retired. The team made the announcement at a Thursday afternoon press conference at the Cajundome.

"It's an honor for me to have it done," said Valicevic, who was joined at the press conference by wife Becky and sons Conner and Bryce. "I've spent a lot of my life here, and it's still my home."

"With Chris' years of service to both the IceGators and the community, this is a natural step," said IceGators managing partner John Lingo, speaking on behalf of Gator Play, LLC, which purchased the team in May. "We hope everyone will come out and help honor him on October 18."

Valicevic, who now works for Baker Hughes, is happy to be a part of the new ownership's first game. "They are making waves and trying to melt the past with the present, and all the great things that have encompassed Lafayette and Louisiana IceGators hockey for a long time," he said.

The 35-year-old is excited about being a part of Opening Night, and he has high aspirations for the event. "Ideally, I would like it to be the way I started - Opening Night, a full house, and have the guys who are just coming in to understand what it was like eight or nine years ago when we had packed the house and the place was crazy," said Valicevic. "It was one of those very enjoyable things where you always look forward to going to the arena. I want to help get back to that."

Valicevic played in every regular-season game in IceGators history prior to retiring after the 2001-02 season, accumulating 494 games with the team. Only nine other IceGators in history have gone one season without missing a game. The Mt. Clemens, Mich., native, was the 1998-99 ECHL Most Valuable Player, garnered ECHL Defenseman of the Year honors four times and was named a member of the league's 15-year All-Anniversary team in April. Valicevic's seven All-Star appearances are an ECHL record, and he was also a five-time first-team ECHL performer.

The St. Mary's (Mich.) University product, who began his career with two seasons in ECHL Greensboro, had career professional totals of 612 points (151g, 461a) and 577 penalty minutes in 600 games. His ECHL totals include a league-record 460 assists, 151 goals and 611 points (fifth all-time) in 590 games (also fifth all-time). Valicevic, who played 10 games in the AHL/IHL in his career, ranks first on the IceGators all-time list in games played (494), assists (395) and points (527). He is fourth in goals with 132. Valicevic's teams made the playoffs in each of his nine ECHL seasons, and he played in 102 post-season games, yet another league record.

"As a franchise matures, its history becomes a larger part of the fan's love for the team," said IceGators general manager Brian Kelley. "Fans argue about the franchise's greatest team or greatest moment. And some teams are blessed to have players that were not only the team's best, but also arguably the league's best. Chris Valicevic is that kind of special player – one who is not only the greatest player in the IceGators eight-year history, but also one of the three or four greatest players in ECHL's history. He deserves to walk into the Cajundome and see his number in the rafters, not on another player's back."

"It was a real pleasure coaching Chris for the last two years of his career, which was highlighted by the many accolades he received over the time as a perennial, premier defenseman in the ECHL," added IceGators head coach and vice president of hockey operations Dave Farrish, who coached Valicevic for two seasons. "He was also known for his durability, having never missed a regular season game, which really shows his dedication and commitment to the team and the fans of Acadiana."

Louisiana opens its ninth ECHL season at Mississippi on Friday, Oct. 17, at 7:35 p.m. The Sea Wolves travel to the Cajundome the next night for the IceGators' 7:05 p.m. home opener. Full season ticket packages, half season plans and Ice Packs are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (337)234-4423. Full season packages start at just $288, while children ages 4-12 can have season tickets for only $225 in any level, including rinkside, with an adult purchase.



ECHL Stories from August 21, 2003


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