Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Corpus Christi's speedy Shute re-signs for another season

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Friday, September 3, 1999

Corpus Christi's speedy Shute re-signs for another season
IceRays left winger hopes for more opportunites, more goals
By Mark Button
Caller-Times

He sat on his locker room bench in a tired slouch two days after the regular season ended. Dave Shute's eyes were fixed in a glaze on a single sheet of paper: The Corpus Christi IceRays final regular-season statistics.
   He was not impressed.
   "Typical 'Shooter' year," he said with a sigh. "Almost 300 shots on not nearly enough goals."
   He's getting another chance.
   Today, the IceRays will announce the re-signing of Shute, a 6-foot, 190-pound speedy left winger from Richfield, Minn.
   Shute spent much of last season in what coach Taylor Hall called a "defensive-minded" offensive role, a move that was best for the team but limited Shute's scoring. The fastest skater on the team - possibly the swiftest in the Western Professional Hockey League - Shute still got off his shots, 284 of them to be exact.
   His 22 goals ranked fourth on a team that last year produced 253 goals, 428 assists and one WPHL Most Valuable Player (forward Chris Robertson) award .
   A respectable team ranking for Shute, but it did not satisfy his expectations.
   "I'm all about opening it up," Shute said. "I won't lie. I want to score goals. I also want to help the team win, and I'll do whatever it takes to do that, but I really think if I can just take that one extra breath before I shoot to take a look instead of just letting it fly, I should see the numbers I want to see."
   Hall agreed, and said Shute should get more offensive opportunities this time around.
   "Dave's speed and determination make him a constant threat on the ice," Hall said. "He spent some time in a checking role last year and didn't score as many goals as in previous seasons, but I expect him to score 30 to 40 goals this year."
   Shute's counting on it.
   "I'm always going to get my shots, but sometimes you don't get the bounces.
   "Hopefully, at the end of next year, I won't be looking at those stats the same way."
   IceCubes
   SEASON TICKET LEADERS: The IceRays lead the WPHL in total season-ticket sales and ticket revenue, according to the league. Headed by Robert Quintero, the IceRays director of ticket operations, the IceRays have sold 2,100 season tickets, 400 more than last year's total.
   IGLOO RENOVATIONS: IceRays general manager Bill Davidson said a new riser section with a 150-person capacity will be added at the northwest end of the coliseum, near the area leading to the player's locker rooms.
   Five, 12-person corporate suites will also be added to the Igloo on the east end.



Staff writer Mark Button can be reached at 886-3613 or by e-mail at buttonm@caller.com.

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