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suzy-q
Game Misconduct
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 604
Location: Austin, TX
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 Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject: Rayz Go Dark |
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Rayz on ice
May 20, 2008 03:24 PM
Just got back from a Rayz press conference. Doug Frank announced that the team is suspending its business operations and will not play in the 2008-09 season.
I'm chasing reaction from the American Bank Center and CHL, so be sure to check back here later tonight and tomorrow for more info.
Posted by Greg Rajan on May 20, 2008 03:24 PM |
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Ornery
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 310
Location: Austin
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Rayz Go Dark |
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| suzy-q wrote: |
Rayz on ice
May 20, 2008 03:24 PM
Just got back from a Rayz press conference. Doug Frank announced that the team is suspending its business operations and will not play in the 2008-09 season.
I'm chasing reaction from the American Bank Center and CHL, so be sure to check back here later tonight and tomorrow for more info.
Posted by Greg Rajan on May 20, 2008 03:24 PM | |
Another damned shame.
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Shanny
The Goddess
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 1509
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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No surprise there.
Kudos to Frank for letting his peeps know.
Enterprise website reports Randy had a phone conference with Jeff. Co. this a.m.
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12:35 PM: Hockey team owner still interested in Beaumont
By CHRISTOPHER DABE, The Enterprise
05/20/2008
Updated 05/20/2008 12:59:55 PM CDT
The owner of two minor-league hockey teams still hopes to put one of them in Beaumont and is in discussions with local investors.
Ford Park General Manager John Hughes said he talked this morning with Austin Ice Bats owner Randy Sanders, who is interested in moving the Central Hockey League team to Beaumont for the 2008-09 season.
Sanders said last week he hoped to find local investors and has had a "couple players step up" since then.
"There's been encouraging things, but when you get new people into the plan, they have new ideas, and it takes time to figure things out," said Sanders, also owner of the CHL's Amarillo Gorillas.
The Ice Bats, which Sanders said would play under a new name if in Beaumont, are in search of a new home after the Dallas Stars firmed plans to put an American Hockey League team in Cedar Park, about 20 miles north of Austin.
In Beaumont, the Ice Bats would replace the Texas Wildcatters, an ECHL team that will play next season in Ontario, Calif., and be renamed the Reign. The Wildcatters' five-year lease to play at Ford Arena expired soon after their season ended with a playoff loss April 25. |
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19705037&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6
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I just think you're stupid.
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SinD
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Corpus Christi
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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Here's the official letter from the Rayz:
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CORPUS CHRISTI RAYZ TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS
The Corpus Christi Rays of the Central Hockey League announced today that they are suspending their business operations and will not play in the upcoming 2008-2009 season. “We had hoped that we could secure a buyer or new partner for the franchise, but as of this point, we have been unable to do so”, said W. D. Frank, President of WD Sports Texas, the owner of the Corpus Christi Rayz Central Hockey League franchise. “Unless a bona fide party comes forward in the next week or so, the Rayz will not play in the 2008-2009 CHL season.”
The Corpus Christi Rayz, or IceRays as they were formerly known, just completed their 10th season in the Coastal Bend, playing 6 seasons in the Memorial Coliseum before moving to the American Bank Center, which opened in fall of 2004.
“This is a sad day for me personally, as I watched this great sport develop in Corpus Christi for several years before we owned the franchise”, said Frank. “I am truly disappointed that we have not secured qualified investors to maintain hockey here.”
Any potential investor/owner of the franchise would be required to agree to purchase terms with WD Sports and then apply to the Central Hockey League for approval by the Board of Directors and Board of Governors. “We have had a great relationship with Doug (Frank) over the decade the Rayz have played in South Texas,” said Rick Kozuback, President and CEO of Global Entertainment Corporation (AMEX: GEE), which operates the CHL through one of it’s subsidiary companies. “We hope that in the very near future that hockey can once again become a staple in the Corpus Christi community and surrounding areas.”
“Our business operations will continue for an indeterminate time to settle the final business affairs of the team, and we will continue to manage the last of the season ending issues with the team’s contracted players and other personnel. Subject to several existing end of season player trade agreements, the remainder of our contracted player personnel will become unrestricted free agents at a time to be announced by the Central Hockey League. We wish to thank our season ticket holders, casual hockey fans and especially our group of extremely committed corporate sponsors over the years.”
A very special thanks to those Rayz fans that have made deposits on their 2008-2009 season tickets. They should contact the Rayz office at their convenience for refunds to be processed. |
To be absolutely honest with my opinion, if this
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| Any potential investor/owner of the franchise would be required to agree to purchase terms with WD Sports |
is the case, a deal may never be reached. The deals that have fallen through were because they COULDN'T reach an agreement to Dougs terms.
Lets hope something happens though.
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CORPUS CHRISTI ICERAYS RETURN!!!!
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bk
Gross Misconduct
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 1055
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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That sucks!!
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zambonirodeo
Five for fighting
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 438
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Y'know, the truth is the Bats players and the Rayz players are still in exactly the same position. "Your team might exist or it might not." Only difference is we know the Bats won't exist in or around Austin. Neither of them have officially folded or granted their players free agency. It will probably happen on the same day (i.e. whatever day the league says, ok, we're moving on).
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