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Saturday, August 14, 1999
IceRays reunite New Mexico defensive duo
MacEachern to join Corpus Christi, teammate Praznik
By Mark Button
Caller-Times
An old friend of Jody Praznik will be dropping by soon.
Expect a party.
A 70-game-long bash, and if the Corpus Christi IceRays have their way, the celebration will last through the playoffs.
"He's signed," Praznik said with a degree of happiness of his ex-teammate Greg MacEachern. "He's going to help us out tremendously."
Next week, the IceRays are expected to announce the signing of MacEachern, a 6-foot-3, 215 pound defenseman, who played with Praznik, the IceRays captain, two years ago in New Mexico. The two have been friends since 1993.
"We just had the same concept on hockey and life," Praznik said. "We both liked to have fun back then, but now we're older. He's one of those guys you meet in hockey and stay close with instead of just playing with him for a year and leaving."
Western Professional Hockey League officials said MacEachern signed with the IceRays on July 13.
"We approved the contract on the 19th," said Steve Cherwonak, WPHL director of scheduling and media services.
The IceRays acquired MacEachern, who was unavailable for comment, from New Mexico in an April trade that sent Corpus Christi forward Tyler Boucher to the Scorpions' squad.
A stay-at-home defenseman, much in the mold of Regan Harper, the IceRays' 1998-99 defensive all-star, MacEachern played the 1996-97 WPHL season in Albuquerque, N. M., with Praznik for current Corpus Christi coach Taylor Hall. MacEachern teamed up with Praznik to form one of the top defensive tandems in the league.
"I had my best season with Greg," said Praznik, who has also signed for the 1999-2000 season.
Praznik's best was the league's best in 1996-97: He amassed 70 points - 18 goals, 52 assists - on the way to being named the WPHL's Defenseman of the Year. Praznik finished 10th overall in scoring, the highest ranking for a defenseman.
"He made me at ease," Praznik said. "When I had that puck, it was a given that I was going with it. And I always knew he had me covered in back. He's solid. He plays simple hockey. Even more simple than Harper, if you can believe that."
MacEachern scored three goals to accompany 10 assists in 38 games with New Mexico in 1996-97. He spent last season playing in Germany.
IceRays general manager Bill davidson and coach Hall were unavailable for comment.
IceRays Calendar:
First day of training camp: Sept. 27-Oct. 8
First Game: Oct. 13, vs. Austin
Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com.
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