Kopriva Attends NHL Prospect Camp
July 25, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
Former Austin Ice Bats goaltender Miroslav Kopriva will participate in a National Hockey League developmental camp for top prospects of the Minnesota Wild, the NHL team has announced. Kopriva will be among 29 of Minnesota's top prospects at the weeklong camp, which begins today, Tuesday, July 25th. The Ice Bats are the official Central Hockey League affiliate of the Wild.
The camp is to feature morning and afternoon practices, while also providing off-ice tips on training, strength and conditioning, and nutrition.
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 last season. He was 6-4-1 with a 3.52 GAA in 12 appearances with the Ice Bats' American League affiliate in Houston, 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.
Ice Bats Coach Bill McDonald says even though the camp's focus is on development and not on evaluation, Kopriva will have a chance to make an impression.
"His job is to show he's taking the necessary steps to prepare himself for a career in the NHL," McDonald said. "He'll have an opportunity to show what he can do on the ice, but he also needs to demonstrate that he's taking care of himself in a professional manner, and adapting to the language and culture of North America." 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 early August.
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.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 25, 2006
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- Killer Bees sign D-man Carrigan, name Gillam assistant coach - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- RiverKings trade Dorian Anneck's rights to Rage - Mississippi RiverKings
- Anneck Traded to Rage - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Rosco At Hockey Camp In College Station This Week - Laredo Bucks
- Kopriva Attends NHL Prospect Camp - Austin Ice Bats
- Bucks Sign Canadian Defenseman - Laredo Bucks
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