Rugged Winger Interested in Ice Cats Role
October 20, 2003 - International Independent Hockey League (IIHL)
Ohio Valley Ice Cats News Release
The Ohio Valley Ice Cats may have found another fan favorite for their first season of pro hockey action at Ohio University's Bird Arena.
They already found one close to home in OU ace pitcher Shaun Peet, a former standout in the Ontario Hockey League as a 17-year-old. Peet is a rugged defenseman who has tossed aside his ballglove in hopes of reviving a once promising hockey career.
Peet is finishing his degree at OU this winter after a four-year career on the mound. NHL scouts have told Ice Cats President Mike Killbreath that Peet was a potential NHL draft choice if he hadn't accepted a baseball scholarship. Peet's toughness on the blue line would fit nicely with rugged winger Jason Rapcewicz's presence up front for the new International Independent Hockey League (IIHL) club. Rapcewicz is a 27-year-old veteran pro who talked Sunday with Ice Cats President Mike Killbreath about a possible player/coach role.
The Ice Cats essentially traded away two prospects and three draft choices to get rights to Rapcewicz last week after he was released by the Northern Michigan Predators. They gave the Predators their No. 3 and No. 4 picks in the upcoming Marquee Draft for two players wanted by the North Country Barnstormers. They then tossed in a No. 2 pick in the Marquee Draft to get Rapcewicz from the Barnstormers after they had claimed him on waivers.
"We let him know he's wanted as a player for sure and possibly in a coaching role as well," Killbreath said about Rapcewicz. "Jason indicated he will make up his mind by Wednesday on what he wants to do."
Rapcewicz said he's considering going to training camp with the South East Hockey League's Huntsville organization at the AA-level. All his plans are currently on hold, however, because of serious health problems with a family member.
"He will know a little more after some hospital tests this week on a family member and he's also aware that reporting late to camp with Huntsville could hurt his chances to fit in there," Killbreath said. "The idea of getting into coaching appeals to him and we see him as a definite candidate at least in a player/coach role as an assistant or associate coach. We also have some others we're talking to about the head coach job, but he's a candidate for sure."
Three former ECHL players are also candidates for the top job and three others from the college ranks are being considered.
The frontrunner had been Mark Richards, who talked with the Ice Cats after the South East Hockey League's Tupelo T-Rex ceased operations two weeks ago. Richards opted Friday, however, to take an assistant position in the CHL with the Memphis River Kings. He was the No. 1 goaltender in leading the River Kings to back-to-back CHL championships before taking Tupelo's coaching job last month.
Rapcewicz had signed Sept. 11 to be a player/coach with the IIHL's Predators and apparently irked them with his decision to possibly test his market value in Huntsville. The Predators also hired a head coach who is a 16-year pro who has played with four NHL teams. All that's in addition to serving as an assistant coach with one team in the Central Hockey League (CHL) and serving as head coach in two other CHL cities.
Rapcewicz has played with the Muskegon Fury, Flint Generals and Mohawk Valley Prowlers of the United Hockey League. He also played in Europe with the Swindon Chill and performed most recently with the Dundas Real McCoys of the Ontario Hockey Association and Quebec Aces of the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League.
International Independent Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2003
- Rugged Winger Interested in Ice Cats Role - Ohio Valley Ice Cats
- Northern Michigan Predators Player Signings - Northern Michigan Predators
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