Texas Native Among Three Ice Bats Signees
September 28, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the signings of forward Julian Smith, defenseman Adam Holmgren and goaltender Andrew Martin to contract for the 2006-07 season, the Ice Bats' first at Chaparral Ice Arena. With the signings, the Ice Bats now have 16 players officially under contract for the coming season.
The 27-year-old Smith, a native of Markham, Ontario, will enter his third pro season, his second with the Ice Bats. After four years of major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League and four years at York University in Toronto, Smith spent his rookie season in Italy in 2004-05. Smith began last season with Motor City of the United League, then joined the Ice Bats in December. He finished with 19 goals and 19 assists in 46 games with Austin.
Holmgren, 25, from Blaine, Minnesota, returns for his second pro season with the Ice Bats. Earning three-time All-Conference distinction at St. John's University in Minnesota, Holmgren was a reliable blueliner in his rookie pro season, playing in all 64 games while scoring 9 assists. Holmgren returns to the team after taking part in the Philadelphia Flyers NHL Rookie Camp earlier this month.
Martin, 23, was born in England but has spent most of his life growing up in the Plano area. The first Texas-bred player to play NCAA Division I hockey, Martin spent four seasons split between Fairfield University and R.P.I. As a rookie last season, he appeared in five games of limited action with Bossier-Shreveport, then played in 11 games with the Fort Worth Brahmas. Martin is expected to join the Ice Bats after participating in training camp with the San Antonio Rampage of the American League.
"Julian's fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game, and one of the smartest centermen in the league," said Ice Bats Coach Bill McDonald. "He's one of those guys that went about it in a quiet way, but produced points night after night. The numbers he put up in four months were outstanding. Potentially, we'll plug him into an even more offensive role this season."
"Adam Holmgren was a kid who came out of Division III last year, and we really didn't know what we were getting," McDonald said. "But he always plays smart, makes good decisions with the puck and was one of our best plus-minus players last year. The experience in Philly should do him good, and I'd expect he'll feel more comfortable stepping up offensively."
"Andrew Martin impressed me in the games he played against us last year," McDonald said. "He should have won one or even both of those games. He's a kid that has visions of playing at the next level, and will be given a chance to prove he can be a number-one goaltender."
The Ice Bats are preparing for the team's upcoming training camp, with the first on-ice practice sessions to take place Monday, October 9th at Chaparral Ice Arena.
The Bats will play three preseason exhibition games, with two to be played at Chaparral Ice Arena. The Ice Bats will travel to College Station for a 7pm game on Thursday, October 12th against Southeast Division rival Laredo at Arctic Wolf Ice Center.
The Ice Bats will then return for a pair of preseason games at Chaparral Ice Arena. The Bats will face the Laredo Bucks in a rematch beginning at 7:30pm on Friday, October 13th. The game is open exclusively to Ice Bats season ticket holders.
The Bats will then wrap up the preseason schedule with a home contest beginning at 7:30pm on Saturday, October 14th against Corpus Christi. Tickets for that game are half price in all seating levels.
The Ice Bats will then open their 11th regular season on Saturday, October 21st at 7:30pm against the defending Northern Conference champion Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.
The all-new Chaparral Ice Arena is located on I-35 between Howard Lane and Wells Branch Parkway. Season tickets and corporate partnerships for the '06-'07 campaign are currently available, with full-season and half-season ticket plans on sale now. Fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com for more information.
Central Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2006
- Rayz tickets on sale Monday - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Oilers Announce Radio Plans - Tulsa Oilers
- Texas Native Among Three Ice Bats Signees - Austin Ice Bats
- First-timers invited to see RiverKings game for free - Mississippi RiverKings
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