Corpus Christi IceRays
| Corpus Christi IceRays | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Corpus Christi, Texas |
| League | NAHL |
| Division | South Division |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Home arena | American Bank Center |
| Colors | Red, Black, White |
| General manager | Pat Dunn |
| Head coach | Brad Flynn (2016–17) |
| Franchise history | |
| 2001–2003 | Pittsburgh Forge |
| 2003–2005 | Toledo IceDiggers |
| 2005–2010 | Alpena IceDiggers |
| 2010–present | Corpus 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 who inhabit the nearby Gulf of Mexico.
The franchise originally joined the NAHL as the Pittsburgh Forge from 2001 to 2003. They relocated to Toledo, Ohio and became the Toldeo 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 CHL's 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. 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).
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