ICERAYS TENDER PAIR OF JR. SABRES FORWARDS

Nov 24, 2015

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League are proud to announce the signing of forwards Griffin Loughran and Adam Tretowicz from the Buffalo Jr. Sabres U18 (T1EHL) to tender contracts for the 2016-17 season. The pair are the first tender signings for the IceRays this season.

“We are pleased to continue decoding our relationship with the upper New York State and Buffalo Jr. Sabres program,” said IceRays head coach John Becanic. “These two young men are outstanding players. Their enthusiasm for the game and, in particular, for coming to Corpus Christi made recruiting them a real pleasure.”

Loughran, 17, has played 14 games this season with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres U18 team, recording 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points with 20 penalty minutes and leads the team in all major scoring categories. The 5-foot-6, 140-pound native of West Seneca, N.Y., appeared in 28 games during the 2014-15 season with the Jr. Sabres U16 squad, recording 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points with 28 penalty minutes. The gritty forward just celebrated his birthday and looks forward to the benefits of playing in Corpus Christi.

“Everything happened so fast. It was just great to hear that I’ll be playing for the IceRays next year. I’ve heard just how the city is toward the IceRays. I’ve heard so many good things about the community that they just love the IceRays, so I’m really excited to get down there.”

Tretowicz, 17, has played 14 games with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres U18 squad, recording six goals and 10 assists for 16 points. The Baldwinsville, N.Y., native played two seasons with the Syracuse Jr. Stars 16U in the United States Prospects Hockey League (USPHL), recording 26 goals and 50 assists for 76 points with 24 penalty minutes in 58 games from 2013-14 through 2014-15. Standing at 5-foot-11, 155 pounds, the two-way forward is excited for the future.

“It’s a good accomplishment for me to have happen,” said Tretowicz. “I hear it’s really nice down there, it’s nice and warm, and it’s a great place to play. I’m pretty excited.”

There is no coincidence these two forwards signed on with the IceRays for next season. Current IceRays Michael Bevilacqua and Brendan Miller began the pipeline from the Jr. Sabres program thanks to the help of IceRays scout Mike Mondoux, who found the two New York products. Additionally, Loughran and Tretowicz have played with each other prior to this season and have connected already on multiple occasions with the Jr. Sabres. That kind of connection pays off greatly in the transition from midgets to junior hockey.

“We’re pretty good friends,” said Tretowicz. “Before the season, we’ve played in a few summer tournaments together before I came here this year, so it’s really nice knowing that someone I’m pretty close with is also tendering.”

“That means a lot having someone you’ve already been playing with for most of your life,” said Loughran. “Knowing how he plays and where he is on the ice is just going to be a huge help transitioning down there.”

Following the Thanksgiving break, the IceRays head back on the road on Friday, Dec. 4 for their second trip to the Ector County Coliseum for the first of a two-game set at 7:05 p.m. against the Odessa Jackalopes. The IceRays return home on Friday, Dec. 11 at 7:11 p.m. against the Amarillo Bulls at the American Bank Center. Contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK or go to www.goicerays.com for details on season tickets along with pricing and seating. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).