Austin Ice Bats

September 27, 2007
Weibel Two more are coming to camp for the Ice Bats

(Austin, TX) - The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League announce today they've signed Landon Dingle and Jordan Weibel for the upcoming 2007-2008 season.

Landon Dingle joins the Ice Bats after spending two years as a forward at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, where he recently graduated. While there, Dingle scored 9 goals and had 26 assists in 35 career games. "Landon is a hard worker who has earned everything he's gotten," said Ice Bats Head Coach, Brent Hughes, "He's a good addition to our club because of his penalty kill ability, but he's also a threat offensively."

"I'm excited about the change of pace and seeing what it's like to live in Texas. I'm coming down pretty green. I don't know much about the league, or the city, so I'm looking forward to experiencing everything," said Dingle.

Jordan Weibel was a defenseman for the last nine games of the Ice Bats '06-'07 season. He also played ten games for Laredo last year as well. "Jordan earned an opportunity with us this year, based on what he did last year in his short time. He's good at carrying the puck, he's good at skating, and I love his attitude," said Hughes.

The Ice Bats are the AA affiliate of the Minnesota Wild (NHL) and the Houston Aeros (AHL). The team is getting ready to begin their 12th season in Austin. The 2007-2008 campaign begins October 19th against the Texas Brahmas at 7:30 PM. For single game, group, and season ticket packages call (512) 927-7825, or visit icebats.com for more information.

September 26, 2007
McArthur Ice Bats to "Race for Kids" on Friday

(Austin, TX) - This Friday, September 28th, Darryl McArthur of the Austin Ice Bats will participate in the KRFK Kids Racing for Kids go-kart race benefiting the Angel Heart Children's Shelter of Pflugerville.

The event will be held at IronRock Raceway near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, starting at 5:30. Also in attendance for the Ice Bats will be owner Randy Sanders, Head Coach Brent Hughes, and the team's mascot Fang.

"Whenever you have a chance to race go-karts you know things will be fun. The fact that it's for charity and it's a chance for us to do something for Austin just sweetens the deal," said McArthur, "I'm looking forward to it."

For more information on KRFK's "Kids Racing for Kids" please visit www.krfk.com or call (512) 826-4305.

September 20, 2007
Klann Ice Bats bring in a backup Goalie and offense

(Austin, TX) - The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League announce today they've signed Sean Sheehan to fill their backup goaltender role, and Zech Klann to provide offensive depth for the upcoming 2007-2008 season.

Sean Sheehan is a New Jersey native, and a recent graduate from Buffalo State College. "Sean's a big goalie who covers a lot of the net...a big kid," said Ice Bats head coach Brent Hughes. "I've heard a lot of good things about him." In 23 games during his senior year Sheehan compiled a 3.24 GAA and a .900 Save Percentage.

"This is exciting, I've never played professional hockey before. I know Miguel's the number one guy, and he's been in the league for a few years. I still need to make the team in camp, but I hope to come in there and push (Beaudry) and try to make each other better," said Sheehan on coming to the Ice Bats.

Zech Klann (pronounced "Zack"), is a rookie forward who will begin is first year of professional hockey here in Austin as well. Over three years at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst scored 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists). "This kid is better than his stats show," explained Hughes. "I did a lot of research on (Zech) and he just wasn't given the right opportunities. He's an offensive guy who will fit in fine with us."

September 14, 2007
Neal Ice Bats add two more players for upcoming year

(Austin, TX) - The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League announce today they've signed John Neal and Darcy Johnson for the upcoming 2007-2008 season. John Neal is a defenseman who completed his first year of professional hockey last season splitting time in the CHL between the Youngstown Steelhounds and the Lubbock Cotton Kings. Coach Hughes said, "Neal is a young guy with a lot of potential to become a good offensive defenseman. Given the right opportunity he can become a big asset for us, and do some big things. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do on the ice." Neal appeared in 54 games last year for Youngstown and Lubbock, scoring five goals with three assists. Before coming to the CHL, he played three seasons for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

"I'm very excited about coming to Austin. I played in Youngstown and Lubbock last year and a couple guys I played with who had played in Austin and had nothing but good things to say. I've heard it's a great town and it'll be good to get back on the ice," said Neal.

Darcy Johnson comes to the Ice Bats as a forward who will bring some grit and toughness to the ice for Austin. Johnson has spent time in the UHL and ECHL in his career, but has spent the three seasons in Canada as a member of the Thetford Mines Prolab and the Sorel-Tracy Mission of the LNAH league. "Darcy is hard working and tenacious, a guy who likes to dig in the corners play in front of the net. He's someone who will protect his teammates, but also has some scoring touch," said Coach Hughes.

John Neal Career Stats
 
Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM
2002-03  Oshawa Generals             OHL    66    2    8   10   12
2003-04  Oshawa Generals             OHL    66    1   12   13   25
2004-05  Oshawa Generals             OHL    64    1   20   21   88
2006-07  Youngstown Steelhounds      CHL    36    4    3    7   30
2006-07  Lubbock Cotton Kings        CHL     9    1    0    1    6
 
 
Darcy Johnson Career Stats
 
Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM
1998-99  OCN Blizzard                MJHL   54   31   37   68  351
1999-00  OCN Blizzard                MJHL   58   27   23   50  302
2001-02  Colorado Gold Kings         WCHL   66    5    4    9  169 
2002-03  Orlando Seals               ACHL   52   12   22   34  123
2002-03  Fort Wayne Komets           UHL     3    0    0    0    0 
2003-04  Miami Manatees              WHA2   41   12   15   27  143
2003-04  Long Beach Ice Dogs         ECHL   15    2    2    4   39 
2004-05  Sorel-Tracy Mission         LNAH   43    6    7   13  132
2005-06  Sorel-Tracy Mission         LNAH   49    3   13   16  211
2006-07  Thetford Mines Prolab       LNAH   44    5   21   26  175

September 6, 2007
Thompson Ice Bats gain a little youth and offense

(Austin, TX) - The Austin Ice Bats, of the Central Hockey League, announce today they've signed Jamie Thompson and Blair Grennier for the upcoming 2007-2008 season. Jamie Thompson is veteran with over 10 years of experience in professional hockey, including four years at the AHL level. Thompson's only other stint in the Central Hockey League came with the San Angelo Saints in 2002-2003, where he appeared in six games.

"Jamie will be one of our most experienced players, and he's a pure goal scorer. We're looking to him to be one of our top scorers this season. He has AHL experience and leadership which he'll bring to our club, so we're very excited to have him," said Ice Bats head coach Brent Hughes. Thompson has spent the last three years playing for a few teams in the UHL. His best season as a pro came in 1997-1998, when he scored 71 goals in 58 games for El Paso Buzzards of the WPHL and won the league MVP award.

"I'm really honored to be apart of such a great hockey tradition in Texas. When I was in El Paso, one of the hardest teams to play against was Austin. It's a classy organization with one of the best coaches around. I'm looking forward to making a run at the President's Cup and Austin might be the best city in Texas," said Thompson.

Blair Grennier has spent the last five years playing in Canada for York University while studying Marketing. 2006-2007 was his best season at York scoring 25 Points (10 Goals, 15 Assists) in 28 games. Grennier has also spent time playing Junior Hockey in Canada. "(Blair) is a gritty, hard-working forward. I'm looking forward to seeing him," said Coach Hughes, "Everyone I've talked to about him has given good reports on what he can do."

The Ice Bats are getting ready to begin their 12th season in Austin. The 2007-2008 campaign begins October 19th against the Texas Brahmas at 7:30 PM. For single game, group, and season ticket packages call (512) 927-PUCK (7825) for more information.

September 4, 2007
Ice Bats will operate under new ownership

(Austin, TX) - The Austin Ice Bats announce today that one of their majority owners has decided to buyout the team's other investors and take over sole ownership of the Ice Bats. For the past four years the Ice Bats were managed by Jeff Buch of Capital Hockey Ventures. Now with their new ownership the team will operate under CS&J Management, which is run by Randy Sanders.

"I have been the majority investor in the Austin Ice Bats for the past couple of years, and feel strongly that they have a good opportunity in this community in the future. We have put all the ingredients, the right coach and players, in place to have a great season this year. For this I chose to buy out the other investors and move forward with the team," said Sanders.

This marks the fourth time in the history of the Ice Bats that there has been an ownership change of the team. The Ice Bats have been in Austin for 12 years.

Buch added, "We have had the pleasure of operating the Ice Bats during the past four years and are pleased that we played a small part in keeping professional hockey alive in Austin. We wish Randy and his staff all the best as he continues keeping the great sport of hockey alive and well in Austin."

The Austin Ice Bats organization is excited to move forward and begin the upcoming season under their new ownership. The team also wishes their previous investors the best of luck in their future endeavors.

The Ice Bats are getting ready to begin their 12th season in Austin. The 2007-2008 campaign begins October 19th against the Texas Brahmas. For single game, group, and season ticket packages call (512) 927-PUCK (7825) for more information.

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