Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - IceRays gain additional firepower, re-signing younger Praznik brother

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Thursday, December 21, 2000

IceRays gain additional firepower, re-signing younger Praznik brother
Return could bring last season’s most prolific WPHL line back together

Caller-Times file

Corpus Christi’s Geoff Bumstead (98) and Tobin Praznik (20) watch Thursday as Amarillo’s Eric Andersen (6) attempts to control a loose puck in front of goalie Trevor Amundrud.

Taylor Hall has spent much of the last two months fretting over his team's offensive woes.
   Those worries may soon be over.
   Five days after trading for Layne Roland, the Corpus Christi IceRays added more firepower to their roster with the signing of Tobin Praznik.
   Both forwards played with Corpus Christi last season, and Hall is hoping the two add even more punch to the IceRays' ailing offense.
   In 71 games with the IceRays last season, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Praznik finished with 93 points (50 goals, 43 assists) and 40 penalty minutes. His 50-goal effort led all rookies in the WPHL.
   Praznik's return also reunites him with former linemates Geoff Bumstead and Kurt Wickenheiser. The three combined to form the league's most prolific scoring line last season, scoring 331 of the IceRays' 831 points.
   "It's nice to be back," said Praznik, whose older brother Jody is out for the season recovering from reconstructive facial surgery. "My brother's kept me up to date on what's been going on, so I know the team's looking for some consistency. I don't want to look to far ahead, but I'm excited.
   "Whether I get back with Wick and Bummer, that's Coach Hall's decision. Hopefully we'll play like we did last year and start getting some more wins under our belt."
   Hall said Praznik's skills complimented Bumstead and Wickenheiser last season.
   "Tobin, Bummer and Wicker, they were a great line last year," Hall said. "Being a year older, Tobin brings in that much more experience."
   Bumstead was last season's WPHL scoring champion with 120 points and finished with the league lead in assists with 86. As the IceRays prepare for tonight's game with Bossier-Shreveport, Bumstead is anxious to get back on the ice with Praznik.
   "It's going to be awesome," said Bumstead, who is third in team scoring with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists). "I don't know if we'll get on right off the bat, but it would be nice to pick up where we left off. If the line doesn't take long to click, we'll be rolling soon."
   Both Roland and Praznik came to the IceRays after short stints overseas with EV-Regensburg in Germany. The two said they made the decision to leave after the team's financial problems worsened.
   "I didn't want to stick around and see the team fold," said Roland, who scored 12 goals and had eight assists in 19 games with the IceRays last season. "It was a place where you can make a good living. But sometimes you just don't know about stability."
   Roland scored 53 goals and posted 42 assists during the 1997-98 season with Central Texas. Hall is glad Roland decided to return to Corpus Christi.
   "Layne brings experience and the offensive ability to score the clutch goal," Hall said. "When you get a guy like Layne in the lineup there's a chance to get an extra goal, which could make the difference in a game. We've fallen short quite a few times, and Layne helps our chances."
   Praznik's only concern is the time it will take to adjust to playing in Corpus Christi and the WPHL.
   "I'm sure it's going to take a little time to get used to the smaller rinks. It was a big change coming from WPHL to overseas, a big change," Praznik said. "I hope the transition phase to get back to where I was doesn't take too long. If it does, I'll just work that much harder."

THREE'S A CROWD: As the WPHL celebrates its fifth season, there are still 12 players who have been with the league since its inception. Of those 12, three are currently with the IceRays.
   Defenseman Jaime Hearn played one year with Waco and three years with Central Texas before arriving in Corpus Christi this season. Forward Quinten Van Horlick split his first year in the WPHL with Waco and Amarillo. Van Horlick was back with the now-defunct Wizards for a short time in 1997-98 and has played the last three seasons with the IceRays. Forward Brad Wingfield has also been with the IceRays the last three years after beginning his career with the WPHL in 1996 with Central Texas followed by a year with New Mexico.

WEEKEND WARRIORS: This season, the IceRays are 4-6-0 in games that start the week. The team has compiled a 7-3-0 mark in games that conclude a week.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Following tonight's game against Bossier-Shreveport, the IceRays embark on a seven-game road trip that will take the team from Louisiana to New Mexico and back to Texas. Corpus Christi's next home game is scheduled for Jan. 10 against Odessa.

ASSISTANCE NEEDED: Wickenheiser is nearing another milestone in his 15-year career. Entering tonight's game, the forward needs just 10 assists to reach 700.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: Defenseman Jaime Hearn is eight goals away from reaching the 100 mark in his career. Hearn's 10 goals this season has him in second place in the WPHL for goals by a defenseman.



Staff writer Javier Becerra's IceRays report appears each Thursday during the season. To comment or make suggestions, contact Becerra at 886-3734 or by e-mail at becerraj@caller.com

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