CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – After finishing out his North American Hockey League career by leading the IceRays in total points, Rudy Sulmonte has been named to the NAHL All-South Division Team for the 2012-2013 season.
The Levittown, New York native played in all 64 games this season including the playoffs scoring a total of 70pts (29 goals & 41 assists) for the IceRays in his only season with the team.
"Rudy is a dynamic player who was a key component to the team's success this past season and playoff run,” said head coach Justin Quenneville.
Sulmonte began his junior hockey career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League picking up 12 goals and 8 assists in 49 games during the 2010-2011 season.
“I would like to thank the IceRays, my teammates, and coaches for all helping me achieve this award,” Sulmonte said. “It means a lot and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The following year, the right-handed forward landed in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Moncton Wildcats to start the year before moving to the United States Hockey League where he suited up for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 14 games. The Fairbanks IceDogs then traded for Sulmonte for their playoff run last year and he scored 5 goals and added 7 assists in just 16 regular season games. During the race for the Robertson Cup, Sulmonte notched 7pts in nice games before heading to Corpus Christi this past year.
"He is an underrated player who sees the ice very well,” Quenneville added. “He was counted on in several different situations. Congratulations to Rudy on his accomplishment from the entire organization.”
The power-play was one of those situations that Quenneville spoke of about the veteran as Sulmonte tallied 24 of his 70 points while the IceRays were on the man advantage.
During the year, Sulmonte had several point streaks, none of which were bigger than finishing out the regular season recording points in nine of his last ten games. He totaled 19pts in the span of ten games. In February he had a seven game streak halted against Odessa finishing with 13pts during the run.
The other players selected to the All-South Division Team were…
Forward: Kyle Sharkey, Topeka RoadRunners
Forward: Sean Gaffney, Topeka RoadRunners
Defenseman: John Rey, Amarillo Bulls
Defenseman: Nick Neville, Texas Tornado
Goaltender: Paul Berrafato, Amarillo Bulls
The NAHL awards season is just underway. The remainder of the NAHL 2012-13 season awards, including the All-NAHL Team, Forward of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Brian’s Goaltender of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Organization of the Year, along with the Academic Achievement Award, Community Service Award and Mark Messier Leadership Award winners, will be announced in the near future.
Season tickets for the 2013-2014 season of IceRays hockey are now on sale. Call the front office at 361-814-7825 for details or check out the pricing and seating chart online at www.goicerays.com.
Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.goicerays.com. In addition stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/corpuschristiicerays), Twitter (@goicerays), and the team’s Youtube channel ICERAYS TV (@goicerays)
