CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – Corpus Christi IceRays goaltending draft pick Tomas Vomacka was listed as one of the 290 prospects on the 2017 NHL Central Scouting Futures List as a player to watch ahead of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Vomacka, 17, was selected with the 136th overall pick (6th Round) in the 2016 NAHL Draft by the IceRays, helping to solidify the back end of the team’s defense ahead of the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound goaltender posted a 2.37 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 28 games played during the 2015-16 season with HC Hradec Kralove U18 in the Czech Republic. He also appeared with the Czech Republic National Team during the last two seasons including back-to-back championships in international competition. The Trutnov, Czech Rep. native will join the IceRays at the 2016 Main Camp this weekend in Fraser, Mich.

The 2017 NHL Central Scouting Futures List is comprised of 148 North American players and 142 international players to watch this upcoming season. The 2017 NHL Draft will take place at the United Center in Chicago on June 23-24, 2017.

To view the full 2017 NHL Central Scouting Futures List, click here.

The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

(via South Carolina Stingrays)

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – The South Carolina Stingrays, proud affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL), have agreed to terms with defenseman Colton Saucerman, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Ryan Warsofsky announced today. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce the commitment of forward Drake Lindsay to Nipissing University, a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) program in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference, for the 2016-17 season.

“We are always very happy for any of our players that get commitments,” said IceRays General Manager Pat Dunn. “Selfishly, it’s also an honor for our organization that we are recognized by the CIS. Drake’s commitment is very well deserved. They will not only be getting a good player but also a very nice young man.”

Lindsay, 20, closed out his junior career with the IceRays during the 2015-16 after being drafted 81st overall (4th Round) by Corpus Christi in the 2015 NAHL Draft. The Grosse Isle, Man. native played 56 games last season, recording 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points with a four power play goals, 12 power play assists, and three game-winning goals. Lindsay finished the season atop the team in assists, points and power play assists while sharing the team lead in power play points and game-winning goals. He also was one of four IceRays players to earn a spot in the 2016 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in February, playing for Team South while becoming just the fourth player in IceRays history to score during the two-game tournament and the first to record a goal and assist in a 4-3 shootout win against Team East on February 15.

Prior to his stint in Corpus Christi, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward played three full seasons from 2012-14 with the Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), recording 57 goals and 92 assists for 149 points through 178 games, averaging just under a point per game over his MJHL career and earning 63 points in 60 games during the 2014-15 campaign. Lindsay was named to the MJHL All-Rookie Team in 2012-13 following a 41-point season then MJHL Second All-Star Team in his final season in Canadian junior hockey.

“I watched him a bit in the MJHL in Neepawa,” said Carson Shields, the director of western recruiting for Nipissing University. “He finds the net, and he finds the guys he plays with. I liked his size. I liked his grittiness as well. He wasn’t a guy that walked away from anything. Drove the net hard.”

The CIS is the national governing body for Canadian university athletics comprised of universities within Ontario and Quebec. The structure is very similar to that of the NCAA in the United States: universities grouped together by conference during the season culminating in conference and overall CIS championships at the end of the year. The largest difference between the two associations is the age and size of players. The CIS is an older league comprised largely of players from Major Junior programs that either did not have a professional opportunity arise or want to take advantage of college funds provided by their respective Major Junior league, meaning that players range mainly from ages 20 to 25.

IceRays Head Coach Brad Flynn is a graduate of Brock University, a CIS program in the OUA. He knows first-hand the opportunity the Canadian programs can provide Canadian-born players even in the NAHL.

“We are very excited as an organization to have helped Drake develop into a CIS player,” said Flynn. “The CIS is widely known across the hockey world as the best kept secret in hockey, with the majority of players being ex-Major Junior players. It just proves that even if NCAA does not work out, the IceRays still work hard to get our players to the highest university league possible.”

Nipissing University is a relatively new program in CIS standards, forming in 2009 and looking to make a case as a premier program in the OUA and across the CIS. Their commitment to this program focus has come in their recent additions, including five-year Ontario Hockey League (OHL) veteran forward and Sudbury Wolves captain Danny Desrochers, three-year OHL veteran defenseman Taylor Davis from the Ottawa 67’s, and three-year Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) veteran forward Deverick Ottereyes. Other additions have come from other Tier II Canadian programs, but the size and experience provide Lindsay both with competition and ways to improve his own game.

“When I’m looking at a player, I’m looking for three things: hockey IQ, size and speed,” said Shields. “Three things, in my opinion, that you can’t really teach. When it comes to Drake, I think he has all three of those. Now, how far he wants to take it is up to him.”

Lindsay is now the third IceRays player in two seasons to commit to a CIS program, joining Canadian defenseman Anthony Cortese (‘14-’15) with Concordia University and American goaltender Graham Hunt (‘15-’16) with the University of Ottawa and providing another outlet for Canadian-born IceRays players to continue their post-junior careers.

The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays and the Corpus Christi Hooks teamed up on Friday night at Whataburger Field to raise $1,070 for former IceRays defenseman Matt Olson, who is recovering from a spinal cord injury suffered last season.

Olson, 20, played 13 games for the IceRays during the 2014-15 season after being acquired from the Minnesota Wilderness on Feb. 5, 2015. While playing for the Chicago Cougars of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), the Forest Lake, Minn. native caught an edge on the ice and fell headfirst into the boards, causing paralysis below his neck. Olson’s story has caught national attention as well as that of the hockey community, including the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks, who held a benefit night at a Wild game last season. In total, nearly $200,000 has been raised for Matt Olson and his recovery.

The IceRays and Hooks worked together over the last few weeks to organize, promote and host an IceRays night with the Hooks that would go toward helping Olson and promoting the cause. Both organizations have members with relationships with the Olson family, and the impact felt by the incident weighed greatly on the two teams. This made the decision to team up that much easier to not only help a person in need but also go beyond sport for someone close to Corpus Christi community members.

“It was a privilege for us to partner with the IceRays on this project benefiting Matt Olson,” said Hooks Vice President and General Manager Michael Wood. “Sport plays such an important role in bringing people together, whether it’s to simply enjoy competition and entertainment or support an important cause. We are grateful to our fans for their response to Matt’s need.”

The Hooks presented an open platform for awareness and discussion about Olson, allowing for Dunn to speak to the crowd about Olson’s story and show a seven minute-long video created by FOX Sports North specifically on the events leading to and following the injury. Prior to and during the game, the Hooks hosted the IceRays for a silent auction on the concourse, auctioning a Matt Olson IceRays game jersey, a Hooks signed bat by the 2016 team, and special signed and donated sports memorabilia. Top auctioned items included: the Hooks signed bat ($150), a Nolan Ryan signed baseball ($175), and the Matt Olson jersey ($450). Multiple Hooks patrons also donated money included in the final total of $1,070. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Matt Olson Foundation from the IceRays and Hooks.

“I am not surprised that the community rallied behind both organizations to benefit the cause,” said IceRays General Manager Pat Dunn. “It wasn’t about either team that night but more for Matt Olson. I can’t find the words to express my gratitude toward the Hooks organization for their kindness in setting up this event. They are a class organization from the top down.”

For those looking for a way to donate, visit Matt Olson’s GoFundMe page. For more information on Matt Olson’s story, visit the GoFundMe page or contact the IceRays at 361-814-PUCK.

The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) have named Cassidy Lange as the team’s new Assistant General Manager, IceRays general manager Pat Dunn announced today. Lange will also serve as an alternate governor for the league and assist the Hockey Operations staff in event and travel planning.

“This definitely solidifies the future of the organization by injecting some young blood in the Front Office,” said Dunn. “Cassidy is still a young man, therefore I see many more years of hockey in Corpus Christi. I won’t be around forever. It’s Cass’ team after all so he should know all the ins and outs. Once we had that conversation, the idea excited Cass and he is enjoying his new role. Everyone around him is excited for him as well.”

Lange, 26, enters his 10th season with the organization after spending the last nine years working for the IceRays both part-time and full-time while completing his college degree. He has already stepped into his duties before being officially named to his new position, dealing with scheduling with the league and negotiating dates for home games with the American Bank Center for the 2016-17 season as well as helping to organize and put together the IceRays off-season try-out camps including the 2016 Pre-Draft Camp in St. Louis, Mizz., the most recent 2016 Virginia Open Camp in Chesapeake, Va., and the upcoming 2016 Main Camp in Fraser, Mich. on July 28-31. He will still remain active in sales while expanding his role within the organization and assisting Dunn with general managing duties.

“It’s a great honor to be named the Assistant General Manager,” said Lange. “I am thrilled that Pat sees the value in me to hold a position like this, and I look forward to helping to continue to build a winner on and off the ice.”

The Corpus Christi native began his tenure during the 2007-08 season as a Game Operations Intern before serving as an Account Executive for the final two seasons as members of the Central Hockey League (CHL). Lange stepped in as the Director of Community Relations during the 2010-11 season before re-joining the sales staff exclusively. As an Account Executive, Lange established himself as one of the team’s top sales performers and an essential piece to the team’s success in the Front Office. Along the way, he kept well-rounded by also becoming the organization’s resident Information Technology (IT) staff member and unofficial team historian.

Lange has overcome numerous obstacles and barriers over his lifetime, the most prevalent being living with Cerebral Palsy, a life-long physical disability that affects movement and posture. The condition has never remained a crutch over his lifetime, medaling in swimming, track & field and bowling in the Special Olympics and graduating from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. That attitude exists in his work and passion for hockey, something that is hard to go unnoticed within the office.

“Everyone likes Cass, and more importantly his work ethic,” said Dunn. “That’s a big part of his life. He will talk hockey with you all day long. He’s not afraid to pick up the phone and try to get businesses on board.”

Following the 2007-08 season, the IceRays organization was purchased by his father, Tim, to help preserve hockey in the Coastal Bend and extend its longevity with the move to a junior franchise prior to the 2010-11 season, the first in the NAHL. Over that time, the IceRays have remained a consistent presence in the Corpus Christi community and a staple of temperate South Texas winters with aid on both side of the organization. The Lange family has now reached a decade of influence in the IceRays organization and remains a large part of the team’s future success in Corpus Christi with Cassidy’s decision to stay local and accept a higher position.

“The people are great here, and I have made so many friends within this hockey team that are now my clients,” said Cassidy. “At the end of the day, the grass might not be as green on the other side, and I am beyond excited not only to take a greater role with a fantastic organization, but also be able to stay close to my family as well. I’d also like to thank Pat Dunn for believing in me and offering the Assistant General Manager position. I’ve known Pat for 16 years now. He’s watched me grow up from being a little kid, sitting behind the glass watching the game I love, to coming in the office completing sales and now Assistant General Manager.”

Despite the excitement and hype surrounding the announcement, Lange’s focus remains squarely on putting together a high-quality on-ice product while remaining a continuing model of influence in the NAHL after three-straight seasons leading the league in attendance.

“I not only want this team to be a winner on the ice, but I also want it continue to be known as one of the top places to play in all of Tier II Junior A hockey. We have made amazing strides in the last few years getting to a level, now if we can just take it up a couple more notches, we’ll be in good shape.”

The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – Join the Corpus Christi IceRays at Whataburger Field this Friday, July 15 at 7:05 p.m. for IceRays Night at the Corpus Christi Hooks and help raise money for the Matt Olson Foundation.

The IceRays are hosting a special group rate for all season ticket holders, fans and community members and raising awareness for Matt Olson (‘14-’15), a former player recovering from a serious spinal cord injury suffered in a junior hockey game with the Chicago Cougars. The IceRays will be holding a raffle during the game including special assorted IceRays and Hooks memorabilia with proceeds benefitting the Matt Olson Foundation.

Stinger Ray will join Rusty Hook and Sammy Seagull throughout the night on the field and in the stands, and IceRays general manager will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch as well as talking more about the foundation. There will also be information on the 2016-17 season including season ticket information and schedules. Friday’s game is also a Fireworks Friday and Texas Lottery Lucky Scratch Ticket Dance-Off.

Tickets for IceRays Night are just $6 for general admission and $11 for reserved seating. Fans looking for this special discount can order online and use the promo code “icerays” or mention the IceRays at the box office. A portion of the group sales will also benefit the Matt Olson Foundation. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening one hour prior.

For more information on Matt Olson and how to independently contribute to his foundation, visit the GoFundMe page.

The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) have named former assistant coach Brad Flynn as the team’s new head coach, IceRays general manager Pat Dunn announced today. Flynn signed a three-year contract and becomes the fourth head coach in junior franchise history.

“I felt that we needed a shot in the arm to take us to the next level,” said Dunn. “Brad just has that energy that will help us get there. His passion for the game is infectious. He lives and breathes hockey. The players will love to play for him and will like his up-tempo style of game. He is also very active when it comes to recruiting and promoting players to the next level.”

“To be honest, I couldn’t feel more privileged and honored to be the next head coach of the IceRays,” said Flynn. “I’m excited to get back to not only the team but the community and show up every day to help our team to represent our fans and community to the best of our abilities.”

Flynn, 31, returns to Corpus Christi after spending the 2015-16 season as an assistant coach for Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The New Glasgow, Nova Scotia native worked under General Manager Sylvian Couturier, former National Hockey League (NHL) player and father of current NHL player, Sean Couturier, as well as Head Coach Mario Pouliot, who has led two different QMJHL teams. Flynn helped Acadie-Bathurst to a 27-35-3-3 record with an appearance in the QMJHL Playoffs.

During the 2014-15 season, Flynn was an assistant coach with the IceRays, helping lead the team to a 31-24-5 record, the junior franchise’s best regular season record, as well as an appearance in the Robertson Cup Playoffs. Under his guidance, the IceRays power play unit finished eighth in the NAHL and led the league for the first time in five years midway through the season. Flynn also stepped in as head coach during a game on March 11, 2015, taking over for former head coach John Becanic after his ejection and leading the team to a come-from-behind 4-3 overtime win over the Lone Star Brahmas.

“The most appealing thing for me in coming back to Corpus Christi is actually two fold. The first is the opportunity to be a head coach in a very good league. The second, and just as important to me, is the group of people to be working with: owner Tim Lange, GM Pat Dunn, Cassidy Lange, and everyone in the office, not to mention the best fans and sponsors in all of junior hockey.”

Prior to his time in Corpus Christi, Flynn served as an assistant coach then the Associate Coach/Assistant General Manager for the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), aiding the team to back-to-back playoff third place finishes in the Sher-Wood Division and two-straight playoff appearances with a 60-53-7 record in those two seasons.

The IceRays concluded the 2015-16 season with a 25-29-6 record while missing the Robertson Cup Playoffs by just two points. Following the second playoff absence in three seasons, the IceRays parted ways with former coach Becanic on May 9 and immediately began looking in another direction, noting a want to be playoff competitive every season and have a higher number of NCAA commitments with the next coach. Dunn believes he has the right fit but cautions lofty expectations in the next three seasons in favor of simpler ideals.

“There are no real expectations short or long term as there so many changes from year to year,” said Dunn. “You can’t really make long term plans. What I would like to see is us making the playoffs every year. Once you accomplish that, anything can happen. We would also like to see a few more NCAA commitments.”

For the first time head coach, Flynn has the opportunity to establish and showcase his own coaching philosophy and techniques after learning under other head coaches for the past few seasons in the MJHL, NAHL and QMJHL. His foundation is based on hard work, attack-based hockey and a desire to win as a team.

“I think every coach has a different philosophy,” said Flynn. “I believe as a coach we need to win games, develop our players and provide great night entertainment. At the end of the day, in a prefect world, I would like our players to have an offensive mind set that show up every day, work hard, play with grit, and buy into team success before individual success. Our playing style will be determined by the guys we have, but I will be preaching hard work and attack hockey. We want to attack the opposition every chance we get. When we don’t have the puck, we want to attack that so we can get it back to attack them. It is my belief that the teams that work the smartest and hardest without the puck to get it back are usually the most successful teams.

“I expect my players to be the hardest working guys that buy in to a team concept and play for each other. A leader can’t lead if he isn’t willing to be the best at what he preaches. I will work extremely hard to bring the right players to Corpus Christi and to promote our players to the NCAA level.”

The IceRays will hold one more try-out camp at the Virginia Open Camp on July 8-10 in Chesapeake, Va., followed by the team’s Main Camp on July 28-31 in Fraser, Mich., before assembling the final training camp roster and moving the 2016-17 season preparation to Corpus Christi for the September 16 opener in Wichita Falls. Over the next few months, the newly-assembled IceRays Hockey Operations Staff including Flynn and the new Director of Scouting and Player Development, Mike Mondoux, will continue to evaluate talent for the upcoming season and future seasons as well as fostering strong relationships with NCAA programs.

For now, the attention focuses on building from the ground up instead of putting the onus on banners and championships.

“Our first goal is to have a very, very competitive Main Camp. We want extremely hard decisions at camp. After that, after we have talented players we need to assemble a team. There will be a large focus on team building and explaining that the whole season is a big process and where we are in August will be different from where we are in May. Our job is to get better every day and continue that cultural over the three-year period.

“I am just excited to move down and drop the puck in Corpus Christi.”

The IceRays will formally introduce Flynn as a public press conference in the coming weeks. Specific information on the press conference will be released at a later date.

The IceRays open the 2016-17 home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes at the American Bank Center. Purchase your 2016-17 season ticket membership ahead of opening night! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays, in conjunction with the North American Hockey League (NAHL), released the 2016-17 regular season schedule this morning. The IceRays will open their 19th hockey season and 7th in the NAHL on Friday, Sep. 16 in Wichita Falls and their home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Odessa Jackalopes.

The NAHL begins its sixth-straight season with a 60-game format with four of those game reserved for the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn., marking 28 games at the American Bank Center and 28 as true road games with four neutral site contests in September. The South Division adds the Shreveport Mudbugs this season, creating the first seven-team division since the 2013-14 season.

The IceRays will play all six divisional opponents outside of the NAHL Showcase at least five times with an unequal spread of games to fill the schedule. Corpus Christi plays the Topeka RoadRunners five times with only two at the American Bank Center while taking on the Lone Star Brahmas 11 times with six at home. The other four opponents–Amarillo, Odessa, Shreveport, and Wichita Falls–will play an even number of games both at home and on the road in their head-to-head series.

The 2016-17 season opens with a 10-game road trip beginning on Friday, Sep. 16 for a three-in-three set against the Robertson Cup Runner-Up, the Wichita Falls Wildcats, followed by the NAHL Showcase. After a weekend off to begin the first full weekend of October, the IceRays play a three-in-three in Topeka starting on Thursday, Oct. 6 for their only trip to the Kansas ExpoCentre. The team will finally open the home schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against Odessa followed by their first meeting with the Shreveport Mudbugs in junior franchise history on Wednesday, Oct. 28 in a three-game, four-day set at the American Bank Center.

November sees the IceRays at home in two of the four weekends, both being in the final two weekends including a two-game set against the Lone Star Brahmas in back-to-back series and Thanksgiving weekend for a two-game tilt against the Amarillo Bulls. Following a third-straight weekend at home on December 2-3, the IceRays play four of their next six games against the Shreveport Mudbugs with those four games in consecutive order. Friday, Dec. 9 starts a two-game set in North Richland Hills against the Brahmas followed by the return to the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum before the holiday break. The IceRays return back home for the latter end of the back-to-back set on December 28-29 against the Mudbugs as well as the crossover into the second half of the 2016-17 season prior to New Year’s Day.

After a weekend off to begin January, the IceRays play one series at home before the annual six-game road trip beginning on Friday, Jan. 20 in Amarillo followed by weekends in Odessa and Shreveport before beginning the longest home stand of the season. Starting on February 10, the IceRays play eight-straight games at home, all on Friday and Saturday of their respective weekends, spanning just shy of one full month at the American Bank Center. All four weekends will host different opponents including the final home series against Odessa and Topeka.

The IceRays then close out their final 13 games of the season with only five coming at the American Bank Center. Included in that final stretch are: five-straight games against Wichita Falls to open March, an isolated Wednesday night home game on March 15 against Shreveport before another road weekend, a three-game road weekend against the Mudbugs and Brahmas to open April, and over half of the team’s schedule against the Wildcats coming in the span of just over one month. The IceRays close the 2016-17 season on the final weekend of the year: April 7-8 against Wichita Falls.

The full schedule can be viewed here with a downloadable version. All times listed are subject to change.

This year’s NAHL Top Prospect Tournament will be held on February 27-28, 2017 in Plymouth, Mich. Specific details of the event have not yet been released.

The 2016-17 IceRays promotional schedule and broadcast schedule will be released later this summer.

Full and partial full season memberships for the 2016-17 IceRays season are on sale now! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – Take a break from the summer heat waves and treat yourself by picking up a 12-Pack On Ice for the 2016-17 Corpus Christi IceRays home schedule.

New to this season’s ticket offerings is the 12-Pack On Ice, a multi-game package exclusively for the upcoming 2016-17 campaign. Fans looking to get a taste of IceRays hockey may purchase a pair of tickets to six of the 28 games at the American Bank Center. All six games are selected at the point of purchase by you, allowing for a completely customized experience to fit your individual needs.

Plans for this new ticket pack start at just $100 and can be purchased through the IceRays Front Office either in person or by calling 361-814-PUCK. Time is limited on this exclusive offer. Pick out your 12-Pack On Ice before August 31, and feel the refreshment of a few cold games on the IceRays.

Full and partial full season memberships for the 2016-17 IceRays season are on sale now! Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) have promoted Mike Mondoux to the Director of Scouting & Player Development, the team announced today. The promotion comes following the resignation of Rick Ellison.

“The decision was an easy one for me after the resignation of Rick Ellison,” said IceRays general manager Pat Dunn. “We immediately offered the position to Mike as he had done an excellent job for us the past season. He has a good flair for talent but more importantly is his passion for the game. Mike is also very respected in the hockey world after having many successful years as a coach with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization. We also want to thank Rick Ellison for his professionalism as he really helped us getting the reputation we have today. Rick spent many long hours in arenas across the country representing the IceRays.”

Mondoux, 36, spent the last two seasons as the IceRays Head Scout after a prolonged career as a youth hockey coach. The Grand Island, N.Y. native produced numerous products currently in the IceRays organization from the Buffalo area including defenseman and NCAA Division I commit Michael Bevilacqua and forward Brendan Miller from the 2015-16 roster. Over 100 players over his coaching career have gone on to higher levels of hockey including 37 to NCAA Division I programs, one of whom played in the National Hockey League (NHL) last year: Cole Schneider (Buffalo Sabres).

“I am excited for the opportunity to take on a bigger role with the IceRays organization,” said Mondoux. “The IceRays organization is moving in the right direction and has a lot to offer future players. I am committed on bringing in the right players to help this team move forward.”

Mondoux spent eight seasons with the Buffalo Regals/Jr. Sabres program, serving as head coach of the 18U squad for eight seasons from 2006 to 2014, leading the team to seven Sectional Titles, seven New York State Championships, and two Eastern Division Titles in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL). In addition, he also served as the head coach for Kenmore West High School for five seasons from 2007 to 2012, becoming Lake Placid Tournament Champions in the process. He assisted two different Bowman Cup Tournament Champions in 2012 and 2013, Kenmore West High School in the 2006-07 season, Kenmore East High School for two seasons, and the Buffalo Saints 18U team for two seasons from 2004 to 2006 while assisting the team to two Sectional Titles and two New York State Championships.

As a player, he played two seasons for SUNY Brockport and earned State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Rookie of the Week during his first season. Mondoux also earned All-GOHL honors for Wheatfield Jr. B in the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) in 1996-97 and was a two-year captain for Grand Island High School. Following his playing career, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from SUNY Brockport and his Masters in Adult Education from SUNY Buffalo State. Since 2003, he has worked as a physical education teacher at a local elementary school.

His experiences as a player, a coach of young talent and a scout built his reputation and relationships with numerous coaches across the country both at the midget and junior levels, but his love for junior hockey continues to fuel the passion he places in his work.

“I love the passion and desire at the junior level. Players at the junior level are not only competing for championships but are also working on developing for college. The commitment to better themselves both on and off the ice is something I love to see in a player.”

Mondoux broadens his role in an IceRays Hockey Operations Staff looking to re-tool both on and off the ice starting at the top. His promotion is one of a few moves being made internally by the IceRays organization in the coming weeks ahead of the 2016-17 season. Mondoux is positive at the potential of the organization both in the short term and long term.

“We have a great core of players returning next season. Short term I would like to build off this group of players. My long term goal is to provide the team with the best players capable of winning. I want players who take pride in representing themselves/organization in a high regard both on and off the ice.”

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