ICERAYS ANNOUNCE 2015 PRE-DRAFT CAMP INFORMATION

Feb 9, 2015

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) invite prospective players to join the 2015 IceRays Pre-Draft Camp to be held in Taylor, Mich. from May 15-17, 2015. The camp is a three-day event with four guaranteed games culminating in a Camp All-Star Game on Sunday and invites to the 2015 IceRays Main Camp in July.

The IceRays brand stands for more than just playing junior hockey. It represents a lifestyle both on and off the ice that prepares young men to become the next round of professional hockey players domestically and abroad as well as builds the foundation to become upstanding men in their respective communities and instills core values to enrich quality of life and personal character. The IceRays family extends beyond the Corpus Christi community and the sport of hockey. The team is led by former major junior head coach and 2003 Robertson Cup Champion John Becanic as well as fourth-year assistant coach Brad Flynn.

The IceRays have provided quality, family entertainment to the Corpus Christi area since the inaugural 1998-99 season as members of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL). Since joining the NAHL five seasons ago, the IceRays have welcomed over 400,000 people in to the American Bank Center, the most out of any NAHL franchise in that span. The organization averages over 3,000 fans per game in one of the premier facilities in the league and the warmth of southern Texas. Over our five year history, the IceRays have enabled 45 players to sign NCAA college commitments, including notable players like goaltender Pheonix Copley, who was called-up by the Washington Capitals, making him the first IceRays alum to reach the National Hockey League (NHL), and goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who made history in 2012 by becoming the first player to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft, going in the 2nd round by the Philadelphia Flyers. This season, one player has signed a college commitment (Wes Michaud, Colorado College) with more anticipated by season’s end.

Players that have adorned the IceRays logo hail from various sections of the world. 20 players over the last five seasons have come from beyond the borders of the United States of America, including six from Canada. This season, six foreign skaters have joined the IceRays including three from Canada: Connor Bucsis (Saskatchewan), Anthony Cortese (Quebec), and Tanner Lomsnes (Alberta). In the U.S.A. alone, IceRays players past and present have represented 30 of the 50 U.S. states.

 

Last season, eight new players were selected from the IceRays Pre-Draft Camp, including alternate captain Travis Howe, 2014 NAHL Draft selections Ryan Cusin (24th overall) and Nic LaBurn (35th overall), NCAA Division I commit Nathan Bryer (Mercyhurst University), 2015 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament representative Logan Gestro, and member of this season’s goaltending tandem Luke Pickar.

This season, the IceRays will hold their 2015 Pre-Draft Camp at the Taylor Sportsplex in Taylor, Mich., beginning on Friday, May 15, 2015 through Sunday, May 17, 2015. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, and each skater will be guaranteed four games not including the Camp All-Star Game, which will conclude the weekend. In total, 80 skaters (48 forwards, 24 defensemen, eight goaltenders) will take the ice on a first-come, first-serve basis. Players may be selected from this camp for main camp in July.

Registration for the camp is $250 payable by cash, check, or credit card. Payment must be made all at once and submitted prior to registration on May 15. Participants must also complete and return the registration form along with the desired payment. All forms and information should be sent to predraftcamp@goicerays.com. The participant must make hotel accommodations individually. For registration forms, arena information, hotel recommendations, and a full camp schedule, click here. If there are any questions, please contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-7825.

The IceRays head back on the road on Friday, Feb. 13 to begin a two-game set against the Amarillo Bulls at 7:05 p.m. from the Amarillo Civic Center. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi and FASTHockey.com. Call the front office at 361-814-7825 for season and individual ticket 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), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), and Vine (@goicerays).