Scorpions sign three more for 03-04

Published on September 10, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Scorpions continue to prepare for the 2003-04 Central Hockey League season, as the team announced it has signed three more players for the upcoming campaign. Defenseman Arturs Kupaks (Are-TUHRS, Koo-POCKS) returns for his third season in New Mexico, joined by new additions Danny Lorenz and Miguel Beaudry (Bo-DREE), both goalies. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deals will not be disclosed.

Kupaks, 30, led all Scorpions defensemen and placed fifth among all CHL blueliners with 15 goals and 56 points last season. His total was good for third on the Scorpions roster. In addition, the 6-foot, 195-pound native of Riga, Latvia led the Scorpions and CHL defensemen with four shorthanded goals. Kupaks also helped quarterback the Scorpions power play, which tied for first in the CHL among teams at home (24.6%). He also represented New Mexico at the 2003 CHL All-Star Game in Oklahoma City.

"Arturs' return is a huge plus for us," said Scorpions Head Coach/Assistant General Manager Bill McDonald. "He brings a lot to the table for us. He logs a lot of minutes defensively, especially on the penalty kill. Offensively, his skills are unmatched throughout the league and he makes a strong tandem on the power play with Vladimir Hartinger.

Lorenz, 34, comes to the Scorpions after spending the past two seasons in England. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound native of Murrayville, British Columbia played eight games in the National Hockey League as a member of the New York Islanders from 1990 to 1993. Entering his 14th professional season, Lorenz has spent the bulk of his career in the American Hockey League and now-defunct International Hockey League, while also spending time in the ECHL, WCHL and German Elite League (DEL).

Beaudry, 21, led the Mississauga Ice Dogs of the Ontario Hockey League to their first-ever playoff appearance. In 44 regular season games, Beaudry posted a 14-20-6 record along with 3.19 GAA and .903 save percentage. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound native of Verner, Ontario set single-season records for the Ice Dogs in wins, GAA, and save percentage. In the playoffs, Beaudry faced an average of over 50 shots as the Ice Dogs were eliminated in the first round by eventual finalist Ottawa.

"I'm really looking forward to this goaltending tandem," stated McDonald. "Danny's experience speaks for itself and he will be one of the top five goalies in this league. As an added bonus, he has agreed to serve as a goalie coach and mentor to Miguel, who has a tremendous amount of upside and was recommended to us by his agent, Bobby Orr. I am confident that we will be able to rely on both of our goaltenders this season.

"I'm excited to be coming to New Mexico," added Lorenz. "I've only heard good things about the city of Albuquerque, Doug Frank, Coach McDonald, and the entire Scorpions organization. I decided this summer that I wanted to come back to the States to play, and I feel fortunate that Coach McDonald decided to bring me down there. I've also heard good things about Miguel Beaudry and hopefully we'll push each other to be better and make the team better.

The Scorpions also announced today that they will play two preseason games during training camp, which will be held in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Scorpions will face off against the Laredo Bucks on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi before facing the host Rayz on Saturday, Oct. 11. Faceoff for both games is 7:05 p.m. The games are part of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times Best of the Best Preseason Showcase including the Scorpions, Bucks and Rayz as well as the expansion Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

After opening the regular season with a five-game road trip beginning in Corpus Christi against the Rayz on Thursday, Oct. 16, the Scorpions return to Albuquerque for their home opener on Friday, October 31 at Tingley Coliseum against their new Northwest Division rival, the expansion Colorado Eagles. Season tickets for the 2003-2004 season start as low as $320, as prices remain the same for the upcoming season. For more information, call the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK (7825).

For transactions wire only: New Mexico Scorpions (CHL) – Signed defenseman Arturs Kupaks and goalies Danny Lorenz and Miguel Beaudry for the 2003-04 season.

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 10, 2003


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