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Linde to join Texas af2 Holdings

December 29, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rayz announced Friday that Larry Linde who had been the club's Vice President & General Manager since April of 2004 has accepted a new position with Texas af2 Holdings, LLC. - the parent corporation of six professional arena football teams, including the AF2's newest franchise, the Corpus Christi Sharks. Linde will become Director of Franchise Development with a focus on preparing the Sharks for their inaugural AF2 campaign this spring. In addition, Linde will remain with the Rayz organization in an advisory role as a team consultant. Linde's transition will become effective January 1st, 2007. His previous role of General Manager has been vacated and the Rayz plan to announce management additions to their staff in the near future.

Linde, 39, has been heralded as one of the most creative GMs in minor league hockey. In two plus seasons with the Rayz, Linde oversaw the move to a new state-of-the-art arena in the American Bank Center, back-to-back record breaking attendance increases, and he has been responsible for numerous new promotional events and charitable relationships within the South Texas community. He has brought annual events filled with ingenuity and entertainment to the Coastal Bend. In his short time with the Rayz, Linde has made games such as "Pack the House for Charity" Night and the "Cool School Day" Student's Game staples of the Rayz season.

Linde said that he was happy with the progress that the Rayz have made over the past two and a half years, and that he's optimistic about the future of the Rayz organization.

"We've made tremendous progress in a relatively short period of time and I'm pleased by that. There are still some projects that we're working on, and always room for improvement, but I'm comfortable with the Rayz position in the marketplace. The respect I have for Doug Frank and the fact that I can remain with the franchise in an advisory role made this move possible."

Rayz Owner and President, Doug Frank said that he is thankful for Linde's contribution to the Rayz turnaround and the continued working relationship.

"We wish to congratulate Larry on this great opportunity," Frank said. "This new position with Texas af2 Holdings allows him significant opportunities to grow professionally. It also allows us, with his help, to make some important adjustments as we begin to consider our 10th year of professional hockey in Corpus Christi."

Linde has already logged almost 18 seasons on his sports management resume in a career that has spanned close to two decades. In addition to his time in Corpus Christi, Linde has also made stops in Indianapolis (twice), Memphis, Tulsa and Reno, NV. A graduate of Butler University, Linde achieved his first General Manager position at the age of 27, and has not looked back since. While with the Indianapolis Ice, Linde made nationwide headlines when he signed 7'7" NBA Center, Manute Bol as the "Worlds Tallest Hockey Player" and former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding as part of "Guaranteed Fight Night". Despite his extensive sports experience, this will be Linde's first venture into professional football. Linde said the transition to a new sport was an exciting challenge that he looks forward to tackling.

"While the majority of my professional career has been spent in hockey I've always had a tremendous passion for football. This is the ideal situation for me as it's truly the best of both worlds...my focus will be on football and the Sharks but I still get to retain some involvement with hockey and the Rayz." He added, "I look forward to working with Doug MacGregor and his group in making professional football a larger part of Corpus Christi and South Texas."

Texas af2 Holdings, LLC President, Doug MacGregor said he welcomes Linde's experience and knowledge to his business family.

"I'm very excited that we'll have an experienced sports executive leading the team," MacGregor said. "We're committed to building a first class organization and we're confident that Larry can lead that effort. We're particularly pleased that we'll be working cooperatively with the Rayz organization, a well respected team in the community."

Linde is very active in the Coastal Bend community. Both he and his wife Nicole serve on the South Texas Board of the USO. In February they welcomed the birth of their first child, daughter Emersen Makena Linde. The trio will continue to reside in Corpus Christi. For more information on this move, please contact the Corpus Christi Rayz at (361) 814-7825 or the Austin Wranglers Arena Football Team at (512) 491-6600

The countdown to 2007 is on, and you can be a part of the biggest New Year's Eve Party in the Coastal Bend. It all takes place Sunday night, December 31st on the on "Tux and Pucks Night" at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T. The Corpus Christi Rayz will host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at a special start time of 8:05pm at the American Bank Center, and all fans in attendance at the game will receive free admission to a post-game New Year's Eve Party. The post-game party will feature public skating, party favors and a spectacular fireworks display on the waterfront. Tickets start at just $10. Call ahead to inquire about $6 seats. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

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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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