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(TEAM) NAHL CORPUS CHRISTI ICERAYS

Contact Information

Address:Corpus Christi IceRays
1900 N. Shoreline
Suite 300
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone:361-814-7825
Fax:361-980-0003
Website:goicerays.com

 

HISTORY

The Corpus Christi IceRays were established as a professional franchise in July 1997 under the principal owner and team president, Rick Brezer, with the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL), marking the first ice hockey franchise in Corpus Christi. Founded with a growing city and strong sports fanbase, the IceRays brought a fresh sport into an unconventional market, educating the new fanbase with community programs and physical, “blue collar” hockey. The IceRays opened their first game at the Memorial Coliseum (known as “The Igloo” for its frigid temperatures only during games and its shape) on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998 against the Austin Ice Bats, losing 4-3.

The IceRays spent three seasons in the WPHL, amassing a 114-77-19 record with appearances in the WPHL Playoffs in all three years under Head Coach Taylor Hall, who now leads the Tulsa Oilers (ECHL) as the general manager. In 2001, the WPHL merged its 10 teams with the Central Hockey League (CHL), bolstering the revived league into a strong presence in the Midwest. The IceRays would remain in the CHL through 2009-10 season, serving 12 seasons as a professional franchise.

Under new ownership, the IceRays rebranded to the “Corpus Christi Rayz” prior to the 2003-04 season after five seasons as a professional franchise, keeing the stingray as its official mascot but altering the logo to incorporate the Texas state flag and colors.

In 2004, the Rayz moved from the Memorial Coliseum to the team’s current home, the American Bank Center, and opened on Oct. 22, 2004 against the Austin Ice Bats to a sold out crowd of over 7,500 fans, one of just four sellouts in IceRays franchise history at the American Bank Center. This was also the first event held at the American Bank Center in the building’s history.

Following the 2007-08 season, the Rayz suspended operations without a suitable owner to take over the team. That summer, the IceRays were purchased by current owner Tim Lange, preserving ice hockey in Corpus Christi despite missing the playoffs in six of the previous seven seasons since joining the CHL. With the change in ownership, the Rayz brought back the old “Corpus Christi IceRays” name and a fresh, redesigned logo featuring red, gold and black as its primary colors. The IceRays returned to the playoffs during the next two seasons, recording a 58-56-2-12 record despite exiting the CHL Playoffs in the first round each of those two seasons.

Following the 2009-10 season, IceRays ownership suspended operations for the second and final time in order to make way for the purchase of a North American Hockey League (NAHL) franchise to bring to Corpus Christi. The former Alpena IceDiggers franchise became one of four former CHL franchises to make the move to the NAHL, including Amarillo, Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. The new IceRays junior franchise played their first game on Sep. 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 Oct. 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 a NHL franchise, joining the Philadelphia Flyers as the 45th overall pick (2nd Round). During the same season, former CHL player Ryan Garbutt (‘09-’10) became the first player to sign a NHL contract, inking a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars. On Feb. 18, 2012, Garbutt was recalled by Dallas from the Texas Stars and played with the NHL club, marking the first player in franchise history to play in the NHL.

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 Apr. 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.

In the 2015-16 season, the IceRays set one more junior franchise milestone thanks to former goaltender Pheonix Copley (‘10-’11). On Feb. 27, 2016, the 24-year-old replaced St. Louis Blues goaltender Jake Allen with 4:26 remaining in the second period, 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.

In his first season, Flynn’s IceRays squad would break 14 different junior and overall franchise records during the 2016-17 season en route to the best finish in junior franchise history and second-best in franchise history behind the inaugural season: 32-19-4-5 with 73 points and third in the South Division. Included in the records for the junior franchise are (but not limited to): most wins (32), most points (73), best point percentage (.608), best standings finish (3rd), longest win streak (7), most consecutive goaltender wins (8), longest point streak (12), and first playoff series win. For the entire franchise, records include: most playoff wins (5), best playoff record (5-0-3), first playoff series sweep, best playoff point percentage (.813), deepest playoff run, and most playoff shutouts (2). The IceRays swept the first round of the playoffs 3-0 against the Shreveport Mudbugs including a 2-1 overtime win on Apr. 19, 2017 to seal the series and pushed the eventual Robertson Cup Champion Lone Star Brahmas to elimination in Games 4 & 5 of the South Division Final but fell 1-0 in overtime in Game 5. They were the only team to beat the Brahmas in the postseason and included one shutout win.

During that same season, the IceRays broke the two million fan mark midway through the year, becoming the first franchise in the NAHL as well as those stemming from the former CHL to reach that fan plateau. The 3,028 fans per game set the team atop the NAHL attendance list for the fourth-straight season and 13th-straight year of over 3,000 fans per game. In addition, Stolarz became the first junior IceRays alum to start a game in the NHL and earned his first win on Nov. 27, 2016 as well as the first shutout on Dec. 11, 2017. Finally, IceRays goaltender Tomáš Vomáčka became the second player in junior franchise history to be selected in the NHL Draft, going 154th overall (5th Round) to the Nashville Predators at the 2017 draft. The team also earned the most NCAA Division I commitments in team history (nine).

The 2016-17 season started a streak of three straight playoff appearances for Corpus Christi.  Two of the Robertson Cup playoff appearances had Brad Flynn captaining the ship with the third having Ryan Cruthers behind the bench.  The Rays ultimately fell in the divisional quarterfinals in each season.  The IceRays did not have the season that they would have liked in 2019-20 before the early end to the season.  In Nate Weosnner’s only season as head coach, the Rays won 16 games and were on the outside of what would have been the Robertson Cup playoffs. 2019-20 marked the tenth season of NAHL hockey along the gulf coast.  In the first ten seasons as a junior program, the Rays found themselves in the playoffs in five including three of the last four seasons of the inaugural decade in the league.

The IceRays pandemic shortened season of 7 games being lost turned into 67 games being lost by Corpus Christi.  The IceRays decided not to play during the 2020-21 season because of the pandemic.  The IceRays announced the return of hockey to the Coastal Bend in May of 2021 with the hiring of new head coach Mike Lysyj.  Following the NAHL Showcase, the IceRays returned home to a crowd of 4,250 at American Bank Center for the team’s first home game in over a year and a half.

HOCKEY OPERATIONS

Sylvain-Cloutier-Headchoach-GM

SYLVAIN CLOUTIER

GM/HEAD COACH

Sylvain Cloutier was named Head Coach on June 22, 2022 and returns for his second stint as a head coach with the IceRays. He is the second coach in IceRays history to coach in both the professional and junior eras after making his coaching debut in 2008-09 and earning a 21-25-4 record in 50 games, joining Brent Hughes, who succeeded Cloutier that season. He would continue his coaching career as a player-assistant coach in the EIHL with the Hull Stingers for five seasons from 2009-14.

He joins the IceRays after serving four years as Head Coach & General Manager of the Severn Stallions in the Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League (CPJHL) beginning in 2017-18. The Mont-Laurier, Que. native led the Stallions to a 106-21-3 record over his three seasons as Head Coach and earned back-to-back CPJHL Championships in 2018 and 2019 while also tabbing the 2017-18 regular season championship with an impressive 42-2-0 record. The Stallions have not played since the 2019-20 season due to the pandemic. Cloutier began his junior coaching career with the Bradford Rattlers (GMHL) in 2014-15 and helped the team to a 31-11-0 record.

The former center played 1,202 professional games across six leagues spanning from 1993-94 through 2013-14, including seven games in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks from 1998-99. He was a member of the AHL’s 2003 Calder Cup Championship with the Houston Aeros and helped the Coventry Blaze (EIHL) to back-to-back EIHL Championships in 2007 and 2008 while serving as an assistant captain then team captain. Most of his career was in the AHL, tallying 86 goals and 188 assists for 274 points with 1,073 penalty minutes through 565 games over 10 seasons. In total, Cloutier amassed 826 points (282g, 544a) and 2,073 penalty minutes over his 19-year professional career.

Phil-Oberlin-Assistant-Coach

PHIL OBERLIN

ASSISANT COACH

Bio coming soon..

Chris Mei

CHRIS MEI

ASSISTANT COACH

Bio coming soon..

Patrick-Oberlin-Equipment-Manager

PATRICK OBERLIN

EQUIPMENT MANAGER

Patrick Oberlin is entering his 1st season with the Corpus Christi IceRays program. Before coming to Corpus Christi, Patrick spent last season as an assistant coach with the Austin Ice Bats in the NA3HL. Previously Patrick spent 6 years coaching with Ohio University Division 2 and served as Head Coach in 2019-20. Oberlin played at Ohio University from 2010-2013 before joining his brother Phil on the bench. Native of Athens, Ohio Patrick played for the Athens Youth Hockey Association. Patrick Graduated from Ohio University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management with minors in Business and Coaching Education.

Cynthia-West-Athletic-Trainer

CYNTHIA WEST

ATHLETIC TRAINER

Bio coming soon..

Brooks Taylor

BROOKS TAYLOR

EQUIPMENT MANAGER & MEDICAL CONSULTANT

Bio coming soon..

Ryan Bennett

RYAN BENNETT

DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS

Ryan Bennett joins the IceRays staff just under ten seasons after serving as the team’s Assistant Coach during the 2011-12 season.  Since his time as an assistant coach in Corpus, Bennett has gained a plethora of experience serving as an assistant coach for Des Moines Buccaneers, general manager for the Chicago Steel, and general manager for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. During his time with the Chicago Steel, Bennett brought the franchise their first Clark Cup in the 2016-17 season. Bennett also played for the IceRays during the team’s CHL days playing 127 games from 2008-2010.

Ryan Bennett

SCOUTS

  • Aiden Wright – Michigan
  • Alec Austin – Minnesota/Michigan
  • Bailey Dorf – NA3HL/Pacific Northwest
  • Blake Lewis – Midwest
  • Chris Huckson – Michigan
  • David Lang – Central Ontario
  • Dylan Trombetta – Pennsylvania
  • Fredrick Tofilovski – Sweden
  • Jordan Yoklic – Pennsylvania
  • Kirk Golden – Mountain/West Coast Region
  • Nick Fabrini – Illinois
  • Nick Mammal – Michigan
  • Tim Morin – Northern Ontario
  • Zach Tuchklaper – Arizona

FRONT OFFICE

Cassidy-Lange-President

CASSIDY LANGE

PRESIDENT

In 2021-22, Cassidy Lange enters his 12th season with the IceRays and third as Team President. He has worn many hats for the team since as a Game Operations Intern during the 2007-08 season. Once joining as a full-time staff member, Lange served as Director of Community Relations until becoming an Account Executive for seven seasons.

He has overcome many challenges in his lifetime while living with Cerebral Palsy. Lange has participated in the Special Olympics, medaling in swimming, track & field, and bowling.

Cassidy graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He resides in Corpus Christi.

Tanya-Perez-VIce-President

TANYA PEREZ

VICE-PRESIDENT

Bio coming soon..

Amanda-Marines-Chiefs-Administrative-Officer

AMANADA MARINES

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Amanda joined the IceRays in 2007 during the team’s tenure in the Central Hockey League (CHL). Prior to joining the IceRays, she worked for the American Bank Center for four years.

With the IceRays, Amanda oversees ticketing, accounting, merchandise and administration in the office. She earned CHL Employee of the Month honors in 2009. Amanda resides in Corpus Christi.

Mark-Schwabe-Corporate-Partnership-Manager

MARK SCHWABE

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP MANAGER

Bio coming soon..

Michelle-Evans-Community-Relations

MICHELLE EVANS

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR & GAME OPERATIONS

Bio coming soon..