Make way for the rookies

September 7, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rayz have inked rookies Tim Vitek and Robert Fogarty, Rayz General Manager/Senior Vice President Larry Linde announced Wednesday afternoon. The two players bring the Rayz total number of players under contract for the upcoming season to 17. The Rayz are only five weeks away from the start of training camp, set to begin in the second week of October.

Vitek, 22, is a gritty forward who makes his professional debut after four seasons at the University of Massachusetts. In four seasons of collegiate hockey, the 5'10", 170 lbs. center out of Dresden, Ontario totaled 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points and 58 penalty minutes in 136 games. A two-way forward, Vitek was hampered by injuries during the early portion of his career at Massachusetts, but finished strong missing only one game over his final two seasons.

Rayz Head Coach Ken McRae said he was looking forward to seeing Vitek's tenacity in training camp. "Tim comes from a solid program at the University of Massachusetts," McRae said. "We're looking for him to come in and provide an energetic boost to our club and have him help solidify our penalty killing unit. He's a young, scrappy kid who we're excited about seeing."

Fogarty, 21, will be one of the tallest players in camp for the Rayz. The 6'5", 220 lbs. defenseman is expected to add obvious size to the Rayz blueline. Last season, the native New Yorker from Rochester played 63 games in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. He had 26 points and 90 penalty minutes while there. Fogarty then made his professional debut in the United Hockey League appearing in 16 games with the Kansas City Outlaws. The stay at home defenseman registered one assist as a member of the Outlaws.

"Fogarty is a big, solid defenseman who gives us added size and strength on our back end," McRae said. "Hopefully, he'll be able to use that asset to his advantage and help wear down our opponents."

The Corpus Christi Rayz will begin their eighth consecutive season in the Coastal Bend on Friday, October 21st in Austin. The Rayz home opener will be Saturday, October 22nd at 7:35pm vs. division rivals, the Austin Ice Bats. Last season Corpus Christi broke a franchise attendance record, welcoming more than 123,000 fans in their first season at the American Bank Center. Season tickets & sponsorship packages are currently available. Deposits start as low as $50 per seat. For more information, please contact the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.

RAYZ 2005-2006 ROSTER

Jason Baird LW

Derrick McIver LW

Blair Stayzer LW

Randy Murphy C

Chris Robertson C

Tim Vitek C

Ryan Carter RW

Shawn Legault RW

Ken Patzack F

Patrick Carriere D

Robert Fogarty D

Matt Frick D

Jay Hardwick D

Bernie John D

Chad McIver D

Scott Reid G

Brent Zelenewich G



Central Hockey League Stories from September 7, 2005


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