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Thursday, October 12, 2000

The Icemen Returneth
IceRays look to Wickenheiser for leadership as third season of WPHL play begins tonight
By Matt Young
Caller-Times

Photo illustration by John Bruce/Caller-Times

Kurt Wickenheiser's teammates aren't bashful when it comes to handing out compliments to their veteran leader.
   It's easy to praise Wickenheiser, who has 15 pro hockey seasons under his belt and led the Western Professional Hockey League with 63 goals last season.
   "That guy's just a pure goal-scorer," said Geoff Bumstead, the IceRays' leading scorer last season.
   "He's definitely the leader of our hockey team," IceRays right wing Dustin McArthur said. "I watch him and just try to learn from him. He's a pro player and a pro person."
   Of course, his teammates aren't shy when it comes to ribbing their elder, either. At 36, Wickenheiser seems to be a prime target for his younger teammates' wisecracks.
   "We call him 'Lord Stanley,' because he's older than the Stanley Cup," McArthur said.
   "He's older, but I guess he's like a fine vintage wine," Bumstead said. "He seems to get better with age."
   His teammates dish it out. Because they know Wickenheiser can take it.
   "Those guys love that stuff," Wickenheiser said. "It's OK. I'm a big kid at heart. I may be 36, but I don't act like it."
   Wickenheiser doesn't act his age on or off the ice.
   Thirty-six year old veterans aren't supposed to score 118 points in a league filled with athletic twentysomethings.
   "It doesn't matter how old he is: you get him the puck within 30 feet of the net and more often than not, it's going in," Bumstead said.
   After just one season, Wickenheiser is already the IceRays' all-time leading goal-scorer for a franchise entering its third season.
   "I know my role on this team, and that's to be a leader on and off the ice and to put the puck in the net," Wickenheiser said. "I don't expect to get the big numbers, but if I get them, then that's great. I'd still trade all those for a ring on my finger by winning a championship."
   Wickenheiser and the IceRays begin that trek toward a championship today when they open the season against the Fort Worth Brahmas at 7:05 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum.
   With Wickenheiser and Bumstead back in the fold, the IceRays offense appears set. Factor in some strong additions on defense, and Corpus Christi appears to be a legitimate contender for the President's Cup.
   "Our defense should definitely be improved and that should make us a better team," Wickenheiser said. "I like what I've seen so far."
   Wickenheiser's opinion can be considered as more than just jock-speak; he's entering his second season as a player-assistant coach with the IceRays.
   Besides being expected to put up more than 100 points this season, Wickenheiser - as an assistant coach - also will be counted on to do the little things to help his younger teammates.
   "As a player-assistant, I'm around to lend my 15 years of experience as much as I can," Wickenheiser said. "I'm there to help the young kids as much as possible with whatever problems or questions they might be having. If they're scared to go to (IceRays coach Taylor Hall), then they can come to me, and I can be a go-between."
   Wickenheiser should be able to count on a strong defense, thanks to Hall's aggressive recruiting job in the offseason. The IceRays lured all-star goalie Jason Carey and defenseman Jamie Hearn away from the Central Texas Stampede.
   Carey was rated as the sixth-best goalie in the league last year, allowing 2.88 goals per game. Hearn ranked second in the league in power-play goals by a defenseman.
   Jody Praznik, one of the IceRays top defensemen in their first two seasons, also returns.
   "We should definitely be an improved team," McArthur said. "We've really cleaned up our defense. In this league, it's easy to score goals, but it's hard to keep them out of your own net."
   In 1998, the IceRays ended their first season with a first-round playoff loss. Corpus Christi bounced back last year, but was eliminated in the second round. That has many players hoping this third year will be the charm.
   "They say good things come in threes, right?" Wickenheiser said. "This is our third year, so we'll see what happens, but I think we all like our chances a great deal."
   Especially with Lord Stanley leading the way.
   Staff writer Matt Young can be reached at 886-3702 or by e-mail at youngm@caller.com

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