Rayz "Paul" off deadline "Diehl"

February 13, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Central Hockey League trading deadline was Monday afternoon, and the Corpus Christi Rayz made a late, four-player deal with the Tulsa Oilers. Corpus Christi acquired forward Korey Diehl (DEE-uhl) and defenseman Todd Paul from Tulsa in exchange for forward Mike Lukajic and defenseman Doug Watkins, Rayz General Manager Larry Linde announced. The pair from Tulsa will make their way to Corpus Christi later this week and will make their debuts Friday night in Rio Grande Valley.

Paul, 22, is a young, up and coming defenseman in his second season of pro hockey. The 5'10", 185 lbs. blue liner from Aylmer, Quebec had four goals and 17 assists for 21 points this season in 40 games with Tulsa. Paul ranked second among Oilers defensemen in points per game at the time of the trade. He ranks tied for 22nd overall in CHL defensemen scoring. Paul began his pro career last season with the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League where he tallied 17 points in 17 games. He came Tulsa midway through the season and finished last year with 22 points in 37 games in a Tulsa uniform.

Diehl, who turned 22 on February 6th, is in his rookie season. The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native is a grinding forward who started his career after two seasons with the South Surrey Eagles Junior team. While there, the 5'10", 180 lbs. forward amassed an impressive total of 62 goals, 93 assists, 155 points and 381 penalty minutes in 114 games. With Tulsa, Diehl had five goals, 13 points and 60 penalty minutes this season.

The trade with the Oilers was the second this season for Corpus Christi. Earlier in the year, the Rayz dealt for Matt Holmes in exchange for future considerations.

Lukajic is a second year forward who was acquired from the Oklahoma City Blazers on January 4th as part of a three-team trade. In 18 games with the Rayz, he had four goals and four assists. Watkins was a late training camp acquisition from the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. He played in 42 games this season for Corpus Christi and had two goals and five points.

The Rayz are currently on a four-game road trip and will return home on Saturday night to face the Austin Ice Bats on "Guaranteed Fight Night" at the American Bank Center. This Saturday night the rivals meet for the final time this season in Corpus Christi, and fans in attendance are guaranteed to see a fight in the arena. The U.S. Army will be on hand to show off combat tactics and vehicles. Plus Time Warner is giving away a weekend trip to Las Vegas, including airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the Fernando Vargas vs. Shane Mosley Junior Middleweight Fight at the Mandalay Bay on February 25th. Make your plans to be at the American Bank Center on Saturday, February 18th for "Guaranteed Fight Night" when the Rayz battle the Ice Bats. For ticket information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2006


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