ICERAYS RETAIN TENDERS MILLER AND O’BRIEN FROM USHL

Sep 21, 2015

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) have retained forwards Brendan Miller from the Tri-City Storm and Jimmy O’Brien from the Lincoln Stars following their release from their respective United States Hockey League (USHL) camps, the team announced today. Both players signed tender contracts with the IceRays for the 2015-16 season, and their rights are retained by Corpus Christi.

Miller, 18, was drafted 79th overall (5th Round) in Phase II of the 2015 USHL Draft by the Tri-City Storm following his third and final season with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the T1EHL, recording 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points with 32 penalty minutes in 68 total games including tournaments and T1EHL league play. He finished tied for second on the team in scoring, third in goals, and tied for fourth in assists while helping the Jr. Sabres to a New York State Championship at the outset of March.

O’Brien, 18, was selected 260th overall (17th Round) in Phase II of the 2015 USHL Draft by the Lincoln Stars after playing 22 games with the Chicago Mission U18 in 2014-15, recording eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points with 36 penalty minutes, one power play goal, and one shorthanded goal. The Winnetka, Ill., native ranked tied for ninth in assists and tied for 14th in points in the HPHL last season.

“It’s a tribute to our scouting staff, who have been excellent at finding those players that are in-between the USHL and NAHL,” said IceRays head coach John Becanic. “We got two kids we tendered that we considered part of our plans. We’re adding two forwards that should be able to step in and play right away for us, making us deeper up front. Certainly with the [Regen Cavanagh] injury, there’s been a void in that fourth line center position, which is why we played three centers over the weekend. With Miller as a natural center, it helps fill that void while Regen is recuperating.”

The two forwards will join the team on Tuesday in Blaine, Minn. O’Brien will wear #11, and Miller will wear #14.

The IceRays begin the 2015 NAHL Showcase on Wednesday, September 23 against the Johnstown Tomahawks from the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. Exclusive coverage begins just before the opening faceoff for the entire NAHL Showcase exclusively on FASTHockey. Contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK or go to www.goicerays.com for details on season tickets along with pricing and seating. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).