ICERAYS HOSTING MEET THE PLAYERS EVENT

Sep 24, 2014

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays will be at the La Palmera Mall Food Court on Friday, September 26 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. to meet with fans and members of the media before Saturday night’s home opener at the American Bank Center against the Lone Star Brahmas. The team owns a 2-2-2 record after their opening six-game road trip, tied for second in the South Division with the Wichita Falls Wildcats at six points.

This season’s team features six players from the 2013-14 squad, led by captain Joe Chitwood. Others returning from last year are forwards Connor Kelly, Brad LeLievre and Wes Michaud and defensemen Trevor Heuser and Jason Lem. The squad features 13 players at 6 feet tall or larger, including three players at 6-foot-4, and only one player with a 1997 birthdate: defenseman Keenan Spillum. Most players also have junior experience and look to continue to strengthen the IceRays program. Three players join the IceRays from the same 2013-14 program: forward Jack Jenson, defenseman Taylor Karel, and netminder Andrew Lingdren (Eagan High School).

Leading the way in scoring are defenseman Anthony Cortese with four goals and two assists for six points and forwards Tanner Lomsnes and Wes Michaud with three goals and three assists for six points each. Following them is forward Connor Kelly with five assists.

Behind the bench, Head Coach John Becanic returns for his second season with the IceRays and sixth overall in the North American Hockey League. Under Becanic, the IceRays finished the 2013-14 campaign with a 19-31-10 record, moving his 31-year coaching record to 313-219-52 (.580 percentage). Joining him this year is Assistant Coach Brad Flynn for his first season in the NAHL. Son of Buffalo Sabres Assistant Coach Danny Flynn, Brad spent the last two seasons with the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. During his playing career, Flynn played with the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League after finishing his collegiate career at Brock University.

The IceRays open their home schedule on Saturday, September 27 against the Lone Star Brahmas. Saturday’s game is Childhood Cancer Awareness Night benefitting Brooke’s Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation as well as Corpus Christi Caller Times Family 4-Pack Night.

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), and YouTube (IceRays TV).