FORMER ICERAYS GOALIE STOLARZ INKS DEAL WITH PHILADELPHIA

Mar 3, 2013

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Former IceRays goaltender Anthony Stolarz added another check mark to his wish list after signing an entry level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers just eight months after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The Flyers announced on Friday that Stolarz, currently the goaltender for the London Knights in the OHL has signed an entry level contract that will begin at the start of the 2013-2014 season.

"On behalf of the IceRays organization we would like to congratulate Anthony and his family on signing with the Flyers, said IceRays head coach Justin Quenneville.  “This is a huge step in his career and a great opportunity moving forward.  Anthony was a special player last year in our organization, and his continued hard work has earned him every opportunity ahead of him.” 

With Corpus Christi, the 6ft 5in goaltender played 50 games in the 2011-2012 season going 23-22-4 with a 2.84 goals against average and .920 save percentage.

During the season Stolarz committed to play at the (D1) University of Nebraska-Omaha where he started this year and played eight total games before signing with the London Knights who leads the OHL with 96pts and have already clinched first place in the Midwest Division. 

“It's an amazing feeling to sign my entry level contract,” said Stolarz.  “It's a dream come true and the first step in my journey to play professional hockey.  I'm glad my hard work is paying off and I will continue to work at my game so I can get to the next level. I want to  thank the IceRays for giving me an opportunity to showcase myself and be seen.”

The former IceRays netminder has played 16 games with the Knights with a record of 11-2-1, a goals against of 2.14 and a save percentage of .927.

Stolarz was invited to the IceRays open camp in Albany, New York before making the team in September 2011.  The New Jersey native was noticed at the 2011 NAHL Showcase where he landed a spot on the NHL Central Scouting initial rankings and moved up the list throughout the year.  During the season, he committed to play at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  The year was capped off at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft where the IceRays goalie was picked in the 2nd round, 45th overall by the Flyers. 

“We all look forward to the day he steps on the ice in a Flyers uniform,” Quenneville finished.   “And who knows how soon that could be."

The IceRays remain home this weekend as they take on the Wichita Falls Wildcats.  Puck drops at 7:05PM, coverage begins at 6:50PM with the IceRays Pregame Show on sportsjuice.com, ustream.com, the TuneIn Radio APP, and fasthockey.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)

“THE NEW ICERAYS…TOMORROW’S STARS”