Sports stats



The Puck Drops Monday

October 4, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi- The Corpus Christi IceRays of the Central Hockey League today announce that Training Camp for the 2002-2003 season will begin on Monday, October 7th with a morning practice. The start of camp marks the beginning of the Al Sims era in Corpus Christi. Sims was hired on September 12th replacing current General Manager Taylor Hall.

"It's been a long summer for both the players and I," said Sims, "but I'm excited to get in there on Monday and start turning things around." "We've got a good group of players and there definitely will be some competition and guys fighting for jobs."

The IceRays will bring a total of 25 players to camp, 23 of who are signed and under contract for the upcoming season. Fourteen players from last year's squad will hit the ice with hopes of making the team in 2002. Of the more notables returning include all-star forward Layne Roland, forward Alex Kholomeyev, and goaltender Eddy Skazyk. One familiar face that won't be around this season is all-star forward Kurt Wickenheiser. Wickenheiser retired at the end of last year to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Barracudas of the new Atlantic Coast Hockey League. The start of Training Camp also welcomes the additions of several new faces to the IceRays roster. The IceRays enjoyed a busy off-season picking up high profile free agents such as former San Antonio Iguana goaltender Brent Belecki and former CHL Defenseman of the Year Brett Colborne. The IceRays also looked to give their offense a boost by signing forwards Rob Giffin and John Sicinski. Rookie additions Russell Hogue, Lloyd Marks, and Joe Savioli are expected to compete for playing time immediately.

The IceRays will begin two-a-day practices on Monday starting at 8AM in preparation for the upcoming Caller-Cup Series against the El Paso Buzzards. IceRays practices during Training Camp are open to the media and a complete schedule is listed below.

The IceRays kick-off their 5th Anniversary Season on October 17th vs. the Laredo Bucks at the Memorial Coliseum. Great ticket plans are now on sale and available by calling the IceRays Ticket Office at 814-PUCK (7825). Tickets for the Best of the Best Challenge exhibition series versus El Paso on October 11th and 12th are also now on sale by calling the IceRays Ticket Office or by calling Ticketmaster at (361) 881-8499.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN (26 PLAYERS)

15 FORWARDS
8 DEFENSEMEN
2 GOALTENDERS

TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

Monday October 7th: Practice 8AM-9:45AM; Practice 2:15PM-3:45PM

Tuesday October 8th: Practice 10AM-12PM; Practice 4PM-5:30PM

Wednesday October 9th: Practice 10AM-12PM; Practice 4PM-5:30PM

Thursday October 10th: Practice 10AM-12PM; Practice 4PM-5:30PM

Friday October 11th: Practice 10AM-11AM; Exhibition Game vs. El Paso 7:05PM



Central Hockey League Stories from October 4, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Corpus Christi IceRays Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central