CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced its league and divisional All-Rookie Teams for the 2016-17 season, as voted upon and selected by the league’s 24 head coaches, and Corpus Christi IceRays goaltender Tomáš Vomáčka was named to both the NAHL and South Division All-Rookie Teams.
Vomáčka, 17, becomes the first player in franchise history to be named to the All-NAHL Rookie Team and continues to earn strong recognitions throughout his first season in North America. The Trutnov, Czech Republic native closed his first season with the IceRays recording a 19-13-6 record with a 2.43 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and one shutout through 41 games, setting new junior franchise marks for single-season goals-against average and save percentage while slotting third for single-season wins. The 6-foot-3, 172-pound goaltender was named NAHL South Division Star of the Week twice this season for the week of January 2 and March 12, becoming one of two IceRays players this year to earn the recognition multiple times.
In addition, Vomáčka was also named as one of two goaltenders to the NAHL Selects Team for the 2017 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, recording the first overtime win in the tournament’s history. Following that appearance, he announced his commitment to the University of Connecticut for the 2018-19 season, and he finished 14th on the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings.
Vomáčka is one of two South Division players on the All-NAHL Rookie 1st Team, joining Shreveport Mudbugs defenseman Brendon Gysbers as one of six players on the league’s top rookie list. Amarillo Bulls forward Steven Ipri was named to the All-NAHL Rookie 2nd Team, finishing the lone three divisional representatives among the 12 league spots. Wichita Falls Wildcats forward Ricky Carballo, Topeka RoadRunners forward Nick Granowicz, and Odessa Jackalopes defenseman Nick Wilson help to compile the rest of the South Division All-Rookie Team.
The league will be announcing the remainder of its yearly awards on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The IceRays open the 2017 South Division Finals on Friday, Apr. 28 at 7:30 p.m. from the NYTEX Sports Centre in a best-of-five series. Rise with the IceRays as their quest for the Robertson Cup continues in the South Division Finals, and get ready for next season with a 2017-18 IceRays Season Membership. Call the IceRays at 361-814-PUCK to reserve your seat for next season. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Snapchat (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
