Thursday, 02.22.18 / 11:42 am CT
The IceRays will be holding two prospects camps during the early summer of 2018 as they begin their search for their next generation of talent.
The first will take place in Des Moines, IA from Friday, May 18th to Sunday, May 20th. Former IceRay and current GM of the USHL’s Chicago Steel Ryan Bennett (’08-’10) co-owns the facility at which the camp will take place and is looking forward to having his former team in town.
“I spent five years of my life in Corpus and it holds a special place in my heart,” Bennett said. “I made lots of lifelong friends and memories down there, and I love helping the IceRays whenever I can.”
“We’re very happy to be teaming up with Ryan Bennett,” said IceRays General Manager Cassidy Lange. “It’s always beneficial to maintain relationships with former IceRays. I’m looking forward to working with Ryan at this camp; I think he and our hockey staff will work very well together.”
Two weeks later, the IceRays will hold their second prospects camp, which will again be in St. Louis, MO from Friday, June 1st until Sunday, June 3rd. Over the years, the IceRays have discovered a number of talented players from the St. Louis area who have become key contributors for them. Trevor Wilhelm, Noah Roofe, and Bud Winter are all from the area and have suited up for the Rays this season.
“The IceRays are happy to be having a prospects camp in St. Louis,” Lange said. “The last prospects camp in St. Louis was considered a success. We are hoping it’s a success again this summer. It’s very important we get some of the St. Louis kids out and evaluate those kids from that area. We’ve had great success in recruiting players from the St. Louis area in the past.”
Registration for both camps is now open and can be done under the Prospects Camps tabs on the IceRays website, www.goicerays.com. Information regarding times, the number of teams, and more will be released at a later date. Price for registration is $285, which includes a $150 non-refundable fee.
The IceRays return to the American Bank Center this weekend to host the Amarillo Bulls. Puck drop will be the standard 7:05 pm CT on Friday night, but will be 7:45 pm CT at the earliest on Heart Night due to an Islanders basketball game. Friday is a Frosty Friday, with three dollar pints and small sodas available throughout the night. Saturday is a family four-pack night; four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas can be purchased for just $48. Amarillo is ten points behind the IceRays in the South Division playoff race, and the Rays can all but secure a berth in the postseason should they sweep the Bulls this weekend.
