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Rayz sign Geno Parrish

August 9, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The Corpus Christi Rayz inked their first veteran for the 2006-2007 season when they signed defenseman Geno Parrish, Rayz General Manager, Larry Linde announced Wednesday. Parrish, a six-year, standout defenseman will make his Central Hockey League debut this season and will also serve as the team's Player/Assistant Coach. He becomes the sixth player signed by the Rayz and first defenseman and first veteran. Parrish will begin his Rayz campaign when Corpus Christi hosts the Laredo Bucks on Saturday, October 21st at 7:05pm in the season opener. Season tickets are currently available. Individual game tickets will go on sale on Monday, October 2nd at all Ticketmaster locations and the American Bank Center box office..

Parrish, 31, is an offensive defenseman who has consistently posted solid numbers over his six-year playing career. In 386 games, Parrish has accumulated 42 goals and 262 points. The 5'11", 185 lbs. blue-liner has also provided gritty toughness, totaling 397 penalty minutes. Parrish spent last season with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL where he had 46 points (9 G, 37 A) in 71 games. He finished the season ranked fifth on the team in points, and tied for seventh overall in league-wide, defenseman scoring. The Bloomington, MN native has also spent three seasons in the United Hockey League, and the majority of the 2004-2005 season playing in Germany. Rayz Head Coach, Ken McRae said that signing Parrish as his first defenseman and first veteran was important in the projected make-up of his club.

"Geno is a very offensively gifted, puck moving defenseman. He will be counted on to be a veteran leader on and off the ice," said McRae. "He immediately becomes the focal point of our defenseman corps. We expect Geno to be leader and a role model to some of our younger players...and to put up big numbers from an offensive standpoint. He gives us the foundation to have a solid, two-dimensional blue line."

Parrish is heralded as a first-class playmaker from the defensive position. He's finished in the top three in team assists in four of his last five seasons. He's also expected to have a huge impact on the Rayz special teams this year. Last year, Parrish accumulated 31 points on the power play, ranking him second in the ECHL in power play production from a defenseman.

McRae added, "He'll be a big contributor on our power play, which is something that we must desperately improve upon this season. His offensive numbers speak for themselves. We're excited about him joining us in Corpus Christi."

The addition of Parrish gives the Rayz six players signed for the 2007-2006 season. The Rayz will continue to announce at least one player signing each Wednesday for the remainder of the off-season. Corpus Christi will open training camp with approximately 28 players on Monday, October 9th. The roster will then be trimmed down to 18 players in preparation for the regular season opener at the American Bank Center on Saturday, October 21.

The Rayz are also happy to announce that this afternoon at 4:00pm members of the all-new Ice Girls and team mascot, Stinger Ray will be at Corpus Christi International Airport. The Rayz will be on hand to help welcome home more than 50 Ingleside-based Sailors from the MHC Crew Force, following a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Raven.

MHC Crew Force is part of Mine Warfare Command's crew swap initiative, which was put into play August 2004. Crews manning ships in Ingleside are "swapping" with those manning ships forward deployed in Bahrain. This initiative increases the Navy's forward presence by keeping a single ship hull continuously present in a given area of operations, while swapping crews at six-month intervals. It increases the on-station time for the ship without extending deployments for crewmembers; and, it saves wear and tear on the ship, weeks of transit time, and uses available resources more efficiently. With 14 women sailors aboard, MHC Crew Force is the first mixed-gender crew to take part in the crew swap initiative.

"We are huge supporters of the brave men and women who serve our country in the armed forces," said Linde. "The great sacrifices that they make on our behalf should not go unnoticed. This is our way of showing our appreciation, and being there for them so that they receive the hero's return they deserve."

The Corpus Christi Rayz are currently in preparation for the 2006-2007 season. The Rayz return to the American Bank Center is only 75 days away. Corpus Christi will begin their season at home on October 21st vs. the Laredo Bucks at 7:05pm. Season ticket packages and corporate sponsorship opportunities are currently available. Individual tickets will go on sale on Monday, October 2nd at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK or log on to www.ccrayz.com.

RAYZ 2006-2007 ROSTER

Jason Baird LW

Ryan Carter RW

Derrick McIver RW

Geno Parrish D

Tim Vitek C

Kevin Watters LW

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