Corpus Christi IceRays (1997–2010)
| Corpus Christi IceRays | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Corpus Christi, Texas |
| League |
Central Hockey League Western Professional Hockey League |
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Division | Southeast Division |
| Founded | 1998 (In the WPHL) |
| Home arena | American Bank Center |
| Colors | Red, Black, Gold |
| Franchise history | |
| 1998–2003 | Corpus Christi Ice Rays |
| 2003–2008 | Corpus Christi Rayz |
| 2008–2010 | Corpus Christi IceRays |
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.
The team was established in 1998 as a member of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) and played its home games at the (now demolished) Memorial Coliseum, dubbed "The Igloo" by fans because temperatures in the Coliseum dictated a dress that included sweaters and jackets, even in Corpus Christi's mild winters. The inaugural team was coached by former NHL veteran Taylor Hall. Ken McRae coached the team from 2004 to 2008, and broadcasts featured the talents and vocal stylings of Josh Bogorad, a formerly a small-time radio celebrity in the Los Angeles area. The team's head coach from 2008 to 2010 was former NHL player Brent Hughes. The IceRays franchise folded at the conclusion of the 2009–10 CHL season to make way for the Junior A IceRays of the North American Hockey League.
In the 2011–12 hockey season, former player, Ryan Garbutt (2009–10 member), became the former IceRays player to sign a National Hockey League (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 having played in the CHL.
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