Rayz add first Mexican born player

Published on October 7, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


With Corpus Christi Rayz training camp just three days away, the Rayz added two to their official training camp roster. The Rayz signed Brian Baxter Arroyo-Lopez and Blair Egerter to training camp agreements, Rayz General Manager/Senior Vice President Larry Linde announced on Friday afternoon. Arroyo-Lopez was born, and currently lives, in Mexico City, Mexico. If Lopez makes the team's 18 man roster, he would become the first Mexican born athlete to play professional hockey in North America.

A 6¡¦2¡¨, 200lbs. forward, Arroyo-Lopez has an extensive hockey background, despite growing up in a non-traditional hockey market. For the majority of the last five years the twenty-year old Arroyo-Lopez has been playing for the Ukraine National Team. For the last six months, he has been training in Russia. Arroyo-Lopez is heralded throughout international play as having tremendous skating ability.

His arrival in camp marks the second consecutive year that the Rayz and the CHL have taken steps to expand the sport of hockey south of the border. Last season the Rayz and two other CHL franchises hosted an exhibition series against the Mexico National Team, which is based out of Arroyo-Lopez¡¦s hometown of Mexico City. Those games marked the first time that the Mexican National Team had ever skated against professional competition on U.S. soil.

¡§When you consider how well hockey has been received in South Texas it makes sense to try and extend it south of the border,¡¨ said Linde. ¡§Our Hispanic fan-base is passionate, knowledgeable and excited about Rayz hockey. Over the last few years we¡¦ve seen hockey succeed tremendously in Corpus Christi, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.¡¨

Linde added that Corpus Christi was the right fit and the Rayz the right franchise for Arroyo-Lopez to pursue is dream of playing professionally.

¡§When professional hockey came to South Texas in 1998, a lot of people said it wouldn¡¦t succeed. Eight years later, we¡¦re standing on the brink of what should be the most exciting season we¡¦ve ever had. Now it¡¦s our pleasure to give a hungry young player like Arroyo-Lopez the opportunity to advance his career and make history in the process.

Rayz Head Coach Ken McRae expressed intrigue about his newest player,

¡§He¡¦s got good size and some international experience¡¨, McRae said. ¡§The scouting report on him is that he skates extremely well and can handle the puck. I¡¦m curious to see what he¡¦s all about.¡¨

McRae added, ¡§The pro game is a different game than what he¡¦s used to but he¡¦ll have every opportunity to make our club.¡¨

Egerter will join the Rayz after spending last season in the Saskatchewan West Hockey League. He split time between the Luseland Mallards and the Kerrobert Tigers. On both teams, Egerter combined for seven goals and 26 points in 17 games. Prior to his time in the SWHL, the 21-year old Egerter attended training camp with the Kansas City Outlaws of the United Hockey League.

The addition of Arroyo-Lopez and Egerter completes the Rayz Training Camp roster with 23 players. Training camp will officially open on Monday afternoon with a practice in Laredo. The ten-day training camp will consist of practices and two exhibition games for Rayz Head Coach Ken McRae to view his players. By Thursday, October 20th the Rayz must reduce their roster to 18 players in preparation for the start of the season.

The Corpus Christi Rayz will be appearing on Saturday morning at the HEB at McCall and Alameda from 9:00am-11:00am for another HEB-Rayz Days. The Rayz will set up an inflatable hockey rink and hold a street hockey clinic for children in the parking lot. The clinic is free of charge and open to all children. Rayz staff member will also be on hand with season and individual ticket information.

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.

OFFICIAL CORPUS CHRISTI RAYZ 2005 TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

Monday, October 10th - Training Camp Opens:

Practice 1-3pm in Laredo (Laredo Entertainment Center)

Tuesday, October 11th - Practice 1-4pm at American Bank Center

Wednesday, October 12th - Practice 9am-12pm at American Bank Center

Thursday, October 13th - Practice 9am-12pm at American Bank Center

Friday, October 14th - Practice 9am-12pm at American Bank Center

Saturday, October 15th - Practice TBD

Sunday, October 16th - Corpus Christi Caller-Times Best of the Best Shoot-Out:

Killer Bees vs. Rayz 2:00pm

@ American Bank Center - FREE Admission

Monday, October 17th - Practice 9am-10:30am

Rayz @ Killer Bees 7:30pm Hidalgo, TX - Dodge Arena

Tuesday, October 18th - Practice 1pm-4pm at American Bank Center

Wednesday, October 19th - Practice 9am-12pm at American Bank Center.

Training Camp Officially Closes ¡V Roster Finalized

OFFICIAL CORPUS CHRISTI RAYZ 2005-2006 TRAINING CAMP 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

Blair Egerter F

Brian Baxter Arroyo Lopez F

Josh Miskovich F

Ken Patzack F

Patrick Carriere D

Tyler Cherwinski D

Robert Fogerty D

Matt Frick D

Jay Hardwick D

Bernie John D

Chad McIver D

Sam Miller D

Joel Cameron G

Scott Reid G

Brent Zelenewich G

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2005


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