Corpus Christi IceRays

Last updated
Corpus Christi IceRays
Corpus Christi Ice Rays.svg
City Corpus Christi, Texas
League NAHL
DivisionSouth Division
Founded2001
Home arena American Bank Center
ColorsRed, black, white
   
General managerRyan Bennett
(Hired 2022)
Head coachSylvain Clouthier
(Hired 2022)
AffiliateAustin Ice Bats (NA3HL) [1]
Franchise history
2001–2003 Pittsburgh Forge
2003–2005Toledo IceDiggers
2005–2010 Alpena IceDiggers
2010–presentCorpus Christi IceRays

The Corpus Christi IceRays are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The IceRays are based in Corpus Christi, Texas, and play in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The "IceRays" moniker derives from the many different species of stingrays that inhabit the nearby Gulf of Mexico.

Contents

History

IceDiggers logo AlpenaIceDiggers.PNG
IceDiggers logo

The franchise originally joined the NAHL as the Pittsburgh Forge from 2001 to 2003. They relocated to Toledo, Ohio, and became the Toledo IceDiggers from 2003 to 2005. They then became the Alpena IceDiggers, playing in the Northern Lights Arena located in Alpena, Michigan, from 2005 to 2010.

The original IceRays organization was established in 1998 and played in the minor-professional Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) from 1998 to 2001 and the Central Hockey League from 2001 to 2010. Following the 2009–10 season, the IceRays' ownership purchased the IceDiggers franchise and transferred the IceRays' name, logo, colors, management, and coaching staff to the NAHL franchise before folding their CHL franchise. [2] The new IceRays junior franchise played their first game on September 15, 2010, against the Traverse City North Stars at the NAHL Showcase, falling 1–0. The IceRays played their first junior game at the American Bank Center on October 1, 2010, against the Wichita Falls Wildcats, winning 4–3 in a shootout.

During the 2011–12 season, IceRays goaltender Anthony Stolarz was scouted heavily by the National Hockey League (NHL), ending the season fourth in the NHL Central Scouting List among North American goaltenders. On June 23, 2012, Stolarz became the first player in IceRays junior franchise history to be drafted by an NHL franchise, joining the Philadelphia Flyers as the 45th overall pick (2nd Round). [3]

After just three seasons in the NAHL, the IceRays earned their first playoff bid during the 2012–13 season, finishing with a 28–26–6 record and fourth in the South Division under former head coach and professional player, Justin Quenneville. The IceRays won their first playoff game on April 5, 2013, against the Amarillo Bulls in a 2–1 road victory before falling in three-straight games to drop the best-of-five series. Following that season, Quenneville stepped down as head coach after two years at the helm, making way for new hire John Becanic to take over for the next three seasons.

The IceRays set multiple franchise records during the 2014–15 season, marking the best record in junior franchise history at 31–24–5 and their second appearance in the Robertson Cup Playoffs. The team would fall in two-straight games at the American Bank Center to the Wenatchee Wild in the South Division Quarterfinals, 3–2 (SO) and 3–2, respectively. On Feb. 7, 2015, the IceRays set a junior franchise record for the highest attendance as well as a league attendance mark, bringing in 6,965 fans during the annual Stars & Stripes Night, honoring military, first responders and law enforcement. [4]

In the 2015–16 season, the IceRays set one more junior franchise milestone thanks to former goaltender Pheonix Copley. On Feb. 27, 2016, the 24-year-old replaced St. Louis Blues goaltender Jake Allen with 4:26 remaining in the second period, [5] marking the first player in junior franchise history to earn playing time in the NHL.

On June 30, 2016, the IceRays hired former assistant coach Brad Flynn as the team's fourth head coach in junior franchise history. Flynn left after the 2017–18 season to become an assistant coach with the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League. [6] He was replaced by Ryan Cruthers, who had been with the Chicago Steel the previous season. [7] Cruthers was hired as an assistant for Robert Morris University in 2019 and Al Rooney was promoted for the 2019–20 season. [8] Rooney was fired after less than a season and a 13–33–3–3 record to be replaced by assistant Nate Weossner in the interim. [9]

The end of the 2019–20 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the team already eliminated from the playoffs. The IceRays withdrew from participation in the 2020–21 season due to the on-going complications during the pandemic. [10] [11] Prior to their return in the 2021–22 season, Michael Lysyj was named the new head coach. [12]

Season-by-season records

SeasonGPWLOTLPtsGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
Toledo IceDiggers
2003–045613385311462431,3756th, NorthDid not qualify
2004–055618353391492341,4246th, NorthDid not qualify
Alpena IceDiggers
2005–065813387331472601,3395th, NorthDid not qualify
2006–076237205792321941,4472nd, NorthLost 1st Round, 0–3 vs. Team USA
2007–085830235651841779693rd, NorthLost 1st Round, 0–3 vs. Mahoning Valley Phantoms
2008–095827256601571841,1254th, NorthLost 1st Round, 1–3 vs. Team USA
2009–105822342461692011,5555th, NorthDid not qualify
Corpus Christi IceRays
2010–115819345431582382,0795th, SouthDid not qualify
2011–126026295571691991,1705th, SouthDid not qualify
2012–1360282666219420014414th, SouthLost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Amarillo Bulls
2013–14601931103812417813866th, SouthDid not qualify
2014–1560312456718619613483rd of 8, SouthLost South Play-in Series, 0–2 vs. Wenatchee Wild
2015–1660252965613917011455th of 6, SouthDid not qualify
2016–1760321997318315512903rd of 7, SouthWon Div. Semifinals, 3–0 vs. Shreveport Mudbugs
Lost Div. Finals, 2–3 vs. Lone Star Brahmas
2017–18602723106416017713024th of 6, SouthLost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Shreveport Mudbugs
2018–1960292836118219613504th of 6, SouthLost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Amarillo Bulls
2019–205316307391021567265th of 7, SouthSeason cancelled
2020–21Did not participate due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–2260253235315521312097th of 8, South
26th of 29, NAHL		Did not qualify
2022–2360114272914025512188th of 8, South
28th of 29, NAHL		Did not qualify
2023-2460193564415423912998th of 9, South
29th of 32, NAHL		Did not qualifty

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Hockey League</span> North American mid-level minor professional ice hockey league

The Central Hockey League (CHL) was a North American mid-level minor professional ice hockey league which operated from 1992 until 2014. It was founded by Ray Miron and Bill Levins and later sold to Global Entertainment Corporation, which operated the league from 2000 to 2013, at which point it was purchased by the individual franchise owners. As of the end of its final season in 2014, three of the 30 National Hockey League teams had affiliations with the CHL: the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Western Professional Hockey League was a minor professional ice hockey league.

Kevin Lars Constantine is an American ice hockey coach who previously served as the head coach of the Wenatchee Wild of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Wenatchee Wild’s first coach in franchise history was suspended on Sept. 24, 2023, after the league received a complaint regarding his conduct and began an investigation. Constantine has coached hockey teams in the NHL, WHL, IHL, AHL and numerous major junior hockey leagues. He was also the former head coach of HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National League A. He also coached the North Iowa Huskies for a brief time. From 2022 to 2023, he was the head coach of the Hungarian national ice hockey team. He left that position despite having a valid contract in summer of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American Hockey League</span> US Tier II junior ice hockey league

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 50th season of operation in 2024–25. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternative for those who would not or did not make the roster of a team in the Major Junior Canadian Hockey League (CHL) nor Tier I United States Hockey League (USHL). The NAHL is one of the oldest junior hockey leagues in the United States and is headquartered in Addison, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corpus Christi IceRays (1998–2010)</span> Ice hockey team in Corpus Christi, Texas

The Corpus Christi IceRays were a minor-league ice hockey team based in Corpus Christi, Texas affiliated with the Western Professional Hockey League from 1998–2001, and with the Central Hockey League from 2001 to 2010. The "IceRays" moniker derives from the many different species of stingrays who inhabit the nearby Gulf of Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Steel</span> United States Hockey League team

The Chicago Steel are a hockey team that plays in the United States Hockey League, having joined the league in 2000. The Steel have played their home games at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois, since 2015; previously, the team played at Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Illinois, from 2000 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (NAHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Hidalgo, Texas

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees were a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League. The team was based in the Rio Grande Valley in Hidalgo, Texas, just south of McAllen, and played their home games at State Farm Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Jr. Sabres</span> Ice hockey team in New York, United States

The Buffalo Jr. Sabres are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Buffalo, New York. They are part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. Its current general manager is Sean Wallace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Firebirds</span> Ice hockey team in Syracuse, New York

The Philadelphia Firebirds were a minor league professional ice hockey team that played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1974 to 1979, and later the franchise moved to Syracuse, New York, and played one final season as the Syracuse Firebirds. From 1974 to 1977 the Firebirds were a member club of the North American Hockey League. The Firebirds won the Lockhart Cup as NAHL playoff champions in 1976. When the NAHL folded in 1977, the Firebirds then played the American Hockey League from 1977 to 1980.

William Raymond Muckalt is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who is currently the head coach at Lindenwood. He was previously the associate head coach at Michigan. He was the head coach and general manager of the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League. Muckalt played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild from 1998 until 2003. In 2016, Muckalt led the Tri-City Storm to its first Clark Cup during his first season as head coach and general manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Forge</span> Ice hockey team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Forge are a defunct Junior A Tier II ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team was founded in 2001 by Kevin Constantine, a former coach of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They played at the Island Sports Center. The team compiled an 80-24-8 record in the first and only two seasons. The Forge were finalists in the Robertson Cup Tournament, the NAHL championship, during their inaugural season and were the first expansion team to do so. During their second season, the Forge set a national Junior A record with 43 wins and won the NAHL's regular season championship as well as the Robertson Cup Tournament. In two seasons, the Forge advanced 18 players onto scholarships with Division I college hockey programs. In 2003, the franchise was sold to investors in Toledo, Ohio and was relocated as the Toledo IceDiggers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Paso Rhinos</span> Ice hockey team in El Paso, Texas

The El Paso Rhinos are a junior ice hockey organization based in El Paso, Texas. Their home games are played at the County Events Center located within the El Paso County Coliseum complex. The Rhinos are members of the Tier II junior North American Hockey League (NAHL) after adding the team as an expansion franchise in 2021. The organization also has a Tier III team that was originally a member of the Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned Western States Hockey League from 2006 to 2020 before joining the North American 3 Hockey League for the 2020–21 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvain Cloutier</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1974)

Sylvain Richard Cloutier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He is the elder brother of Dan Cloutier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Cruthers</span> American ice hockey player and coach

Ryan Cruthers is a former professional ice hockey player and current head coach of the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aberdeen Wings</span> Ice hockey team in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The Aberdeen Wings are a Tier II junior ice hockey team based out of Aberdeen, South Dakota, that began play for 2010–11. A member of the North American Hockey League in the Central Division, the Wings play their home games in the Odde Ice Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amarillo Bulls</span> Ice hockey team in Amarillo, Texas

The Amarillo Bulls were a Tier II junior ice hockey team based in Amarillo, Texas. They were a member of the North American Hockey League's South Division and played home games in the Amarillo Civic Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012–13 Chicago Blackhawks season</span> National Hockey League team season

The 2012–13 Chicago Blackhawks season was the 87th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on September 25, 1926. The regular season was reduced from its usual 82 games to 48 due to a lockout. The Blackhawks captured the Western Conference championship and went on to defeat the Eastern Conference playoff champion Boston Bruins in six games to capture their fifth Stanley Cup in team history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Stolarz</span> American ice hockey player (born 1994)

Anthony Stolarz is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter Shepard</span> American ice hockey player

Hunter Markus Shepard is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks</span> North American Hockey League team based in Danbury, Connecticut

The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks are a USA Hockey-sanctioned junior ice hockey organization based in Danbury, Connecticut. The organization has junior teams in the Tier II North American Hockey League and the Tier III North American 3 Hockey League, both of which play home games at the Danbury Ice Arena.

References

  1. ↑ "IceRays Announce Affiliation with NA3HL's Austin Ice Bats". OurSports Central. August 25, 2021.
  2. ↑ "IceRays set to move to the NAHL". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. May 21, 2010.
  3. ↑ "FLYERS PICK STOLARZ IN 2ND ROUND OF NHL DRAFT | NAHL: Corpus Christi IceRays". goicerays.pointstreaksites.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  4. ↑ "ICERAYS BEATEN BY BRAHMAS, 5–3 | NAHL: Corpus Christi IceRays". goicerays.pointstreaksites.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  5. ↑ O'Donnell, Tim. "North Pole native Pheonix Copley makes NHL debut" . Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  6. ↑ "Western Hockey League's Rebels Swipe Flynn from IceRays". JuniorHockey.com. May 7, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Ryan Cruthers Named IceRays Head Coach". OurSportsCentral.com. May 30, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Rooney Promoted to IceRays Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 22, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Corpus Christi IceRays announce coaching change". NAHL. January 9, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Corpus Christi IceRays suspend operations". NAHL. August 24, 2020.
  11. ↑ "NAHL Hockey: IceRays suspend operations for season due to COVID-19". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  12. ↑ "Corpus Christi names Michael Lysyj as new head coach". NAHL. May 24, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.