Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Quinnell toughens his game for Ice Dogs

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Tuesday, September 21, 1999

Quinnell toughens his game for Ice Dogs

By Mark Button

Caller-Times

Carrying the puck, the opposing forward rushed at him. Bob Quinnell took the blade of his hockey stick and shoved it into the forward's ribcage.
   He had a point to make, Quinnell said.
   The 6-foot-1, 205-pound defenseman is the last free agent remaining in the International Hockey League's Long Beach Ice Dogs training camp; five others have been cut.
   Long Beach coach John Van Boxmeer, a former NHL All-Star defenseman, came to Quinnell before the Ice Dogs' two-game weekend series at the Kansas City Blades with a message: Show me your toughness.
   Quinnell did his part, maybe to a fault: The spearing earned him a four-minute, double-minor penalty.
   "I made it a priority to be physical," Quinnell said. "I used my stick a lot. I tried to make it as uncomfortable as possible for the opponent."
   In the two-game series, Quinnell fought once and spent 17 minutes in the penalty box.
   Apparently Quinnell's point was noted by the coach.
   "He needed to (check players) with a little more determination," Van Boxmeer said. "He did all right. He was trying to (show me some toughness) and he ended up getting himself into trouble. He took more penalties than he needed to."
   Still, Van Boxmeer said he thought Quinnell is ready for the IHL.
   "He has good size, he skates well, moves the puck well and he can jump up into the play," Van Boxmeer said. "He may not start with our team, but I could see him playing games for our hockey club."
   Long Beach has two remaining preseason games - Sept. 25-26 against Utah - before final cuts are made early next week.
   "I feel comfortable here," Quinnell said. "I know I can play at this level. "
   IceCubes
   A VALK IMPRESSING: Phil Valk, a 6-4, 215-pound defenseman for the IceRays last year, impressed the Houston Aeros coaching staff during the first week of the defending IHL champion's preseason training camp and made it through the team's first cut.
   "Phil has progressed nicely," said Houston assistant Dave Barr, who works with the Aeros defenseman. "He's adapted to the pace. He does not look out of place."
   The Aeros invited 34 players to camp and cut seven Sunday, four of which were defensemen. Barr said Houston still has 12 defensemen left for seven-eight spots on the final roster.
   The Aeros will make final cuts Sept. 25, after two preseason games against the Canadian Olympic team and one against the Orlando Solar Bears. The IceRays begin their camp Sept. 27.
   A PRESEASON TICKETS: Tickets for the IceRays two-game "Best of the Best" preseason series with Lake Charles are on sale. Games on Oct. 3 and Oct. 5, played in conjunction with the Caller-Times Best of the Best showcase, can be seen at Memorial Coliseum starting at $10.
   Individual game tickets for regular season games - the season starts Oct. 13 with an eight-game homestand - are also on sale. Call 814-7825 for more information.



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

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