TEMPE, Ariz. – On Thursday, at long last, t he 2012-13 Central Hockey League schedule was officially released. The 330-game season begins on Friday, October 19th in three locations and concludes on Sunday, March 24th, also with three contests. The CHL also announced the conference alignment and playoff format for the league’s upcoming 21st season. 
“We are very excited to release the 2012-13 CHL schedule, renew some old rivalries, and create some new ones starting October 19th,” Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner said. “We also would like to welcome the Denver Cutthroats to the CHL family, in their tradition-rich hockey region.” Each of the CHL’s 10 member clubs will play a 66-game schedule with 33 home games and 33 road games. Weekends comprise a large majority of the schedule as 77% of the games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (255 of the 330 games will occur over the weekends) and 67% of the games are played on the prime nights of Fridays and Saturdays. CLICK HERE for a team-by-team look at the schedule.
Texas Brahmas fans were elated to see their team listed among those set to play this season, but quickly noticed a TBD at the location of each and every home game, lending to their lack of knowledge for the coming campaign. While it is assumed that the majority of contests will take place at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, it is also assumed that some percentage of games will be played in Fort Worth, at the Brahmas former homes – the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Of course, one knows what happens when one assumes.
In other news around the league: Allen Americans
The Allen Americans announced on Friday that the hockey club has signed Kip Brennan to a one-year contract for the 2012-13 season. Brennan, 32, returns to Allen, where he played 31 games for the Americans during the 2010-11 season, scoring eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. He also picked up 146 penalty minutes (4.71 PIM per game avg.). The 6′ 4″, 222-pound forward has 466 of professional hockey games under his belt, including 61 in the National Hockey League. Brennan played last season with Chekhov Vityaz of the KHL, appearing in 14 games, with one goal and 240 penalty minutes (17.1 PIM per-game-avg.). “We welcome Kip back to Allen,” Americans Minority Owner and Associate Coach Richard Matvichuk said. “Kip’s a player that fits the type of team that we are trying to build here. We’re putting together a good mix of skill with size, strength and grit. Kip’s a true team guy and we are pleased to add him to our roster.” Brennan was the Los Angeles Kings’ fourth round selection (103rd overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He turned pro in 2000-01 and made his NHL debut with the Kings in 2002. He has also played for the Atlanta Thrashers, the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Islanders. Brennan has accrued season totals of 240-or-more penalty minutes six times in his professional career. I’m r eally excited to come back to Allen,” Brennan said. “It’s a great city and the Americans are a great organization to play for. I’ve played with a few of the guys on the team – (Darryl) Bootland, (Chris) Whitley, (Mike) Berube, so it’s going to be exciting to be back. We’re going to make a statement this year. It was a hard (playoff) loss that last time I was there (2010). We thought we should have won but the cards didn’t fall our way. This year we’re in it to win a championship and I want to be a part of it.”
“Kip’s a good player who brings several things to the ice every night,” Americans Minority Owner & Partner Craig Ludwig added. “He can score a little bit and is as tough as they come. Kip’s the kind of player who will also help keep other teams honest when they play us. We’re here to win hockey games and we will be a tough team to play against. We want teams to dread facing the Allen Americans because of our work ethic. It should be a fun year.”
Arizona Sundogs
The Arizona Sundogs announced on Monday that defenseman Gord Burnett has signed with the team for the upcoming season. This will be the 31-year-old’s seventh pro season. Burnett began his pro career with the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) in 2006-07, where he had nine assists and racked up 189 penalty minutes in 50 games. In 2007-08 he split his time between the Youngstown Steelhounds and the Laredo Bucks playing his best season thus far with 14 points and 225 penalty minutes between both teams. During the 2008-09 season, Burnett skated in nine games with the Trenton Devils (ECHL) before being acquired by the Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL) where he collected six points and 100 penalty minutes. He again started the 2009-10 season with the Trenton Devils, after the Roadrunners folded in the summer leading up to the season. Burnett dressed in 13 games making one assist and accumulating 58 minutes in penalties. Before being traded in 2010-11 to the Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL), he skated in two games with the Trenton Devils and made two goals. While with the Kings, Burnett collected three points (1 G, 2 A) and 87 penalty minutes in 34 games. In 2011-12 he collected five points (2 G, 3 A), amassing an impressive 200 PIM while with the Colorado Eagles (ECHL). From 2002-2006 he spent his four-year college career playing for St. Scholastica, tallying 36 points (12 G, 24 A) in 104 games.
I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the team,” Burnett said. “This team has been a well respected team within the CHL and I look forward to playing there.”
On Friday, the Sundogs announced they have also signed forward Cody Purves for the 2012-13 season. Purves, 25, joins the team for his third pro season. He spent his last two seasons with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) where he also played alongside the Sundogs newly signed Chad Nehring. In 2010-11 he saw 68 games and posted 23 points (8 G, 15 A). The Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan native also received the team’s Most Improved Player Award that same year. He returned in 2011-12 and tallied 14 points (3 G, 11 A) in 44 games. Prior to turning pro, the 5′ 10″, 185-pound right winger played for three years with the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), racking up 117 points (43 G, 74 A) in 147 games. In 2007-08, Purves spent one season at the University of Saskatchewan, collecting one goal and two assists in 15 games. “I’m excited to be playing for the Sundogs this season,” Purves said. “Prescott Valley is a beautiful place and it seems like it will be a great town to play in front of. I am looking forward to playing for a successful team and I hope we make it all the way to the Championship round.”
In other news, goaltender Bryan Gills has reportedly signed with the Evansville IceMen (ECHL).
Bloomington Blaze
The Blaze announced the signing of veteran defenseman Tysen Dowzak this week. The 6′ 5″, 212-pound Dowzak is a left-handed shot from Fergus Falls, Minnesota. This is his sixth professional season and his career includes stops in Texas, Charlotte and Utah of the ECHL and Bossier-Shreveport and Dayton of the Central Hockey League. While playing in Dayton two seasons ago for current Blaze coach Brian Gratz, Dowzak recorded three goals and five assists for eight points with 100 penalty minutes in 63 games. Last season with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, Dowzak registered 113 penalty minutes with a goal and three assists for four points in 48 contests. “Tysen is a big and physical defenseman,” Gratz said. “He is exceptional on the penalty kill and will provide another level of toughness to our blue line.”
Also this week, former Blaze defenseman Doug Krantz has reportedly signed with the Dundee Stars (EIHL).
Denver Cutthroats
There was no news of note from the Cutthroats organization this week.
Missouri Mavericks
There was no news of note from the Mavericks organization this week.
Former Mavericks defenseman Cole Ruwe has reportedly signed with the Mississippi Surge (SPHL). Also, former Mavericks forward Kris Hogg has reportedly signed with the Fife Flyers (EIHL).
Quad City Mallards
There was no news of note from the Mallards organization this week.
Rapid City Rush
This past week, the Rush held an outdoor barbecue in an event held exclusively for season ticket holders and corporate sponsors. As part of the event, the team announced the latest signing of the 2012 CHL offseason. Returning for his fourth season in the Black Hills is veteran team captain Scott Wray, who will once again don the ‘C’ for the 2012-13 campaign. Wray, 32, has been a model of consistency throughout his career, collecting eleven 20-plus goal seasons throughout his thirteen-year tenure. Last season was no different as the veteran potted 25 goals, ranking third on the team by season’s end. “I’m very excited to return for my fourth season in Rapid City,” Wray said. “We have a lot of youth and veteran leadership, and I feel that this team’s makeup is very similar to our championship season. I’m thrilled to wear the ‘C’ again and continue to be a part of this great community that I call home.” Wray began his 2011-12 campaign struggling to find the net, earning four goals in the first 32 contests. However, the Ottawa, Ontario native then caught fire, pouring in 21 goals in the final 34 tilts, leading the team down the stretch. That run included the most prolific scoring stretch in Rush history with Wray scoring eleven goals in an eight-game span beginning in mid-January, including the 10th hat trick in franchise history. Wray also tied a franchise record with goals in six-straight games and was named Oakley CHL Player of the Week. “It’s a lways important that your captain is your hardest worker and leads by example, and no one does this better than Scott Wray,” Rush head coach Joe Ferras said. “Wrayzer’s commitment to our hockey team sets a great example for all the new players that come into Rapid City. He was the only player to play in all 72 games last season, including playoffs, which is a testament to his dedication to conditioning and his compete level.” During the 2010-11 season, Wray finished fourth on the team in goals (20) and points (48) while totaling 28 assists, good enough for second on the squad. The veteran reached numerous milestones throughout the season, including his 300th regular season goal, 800th career game and 700th career point. “Scott got off to a slow start last season putting the puck in the net,” Ferras continued. “However, he remained positive leader for our team and played outstanding defensively and was a key member to our penalty kill that ended up tops in the CHL. As the year continued, Wrayzer was rewarded with all of his hard work as the puck started hitting the back of the net, and as a result, he ended up with 25 goals. This is a great number for any player, but when you have scored no less than 24 goals each of the last seven years, that’s a testament to the type of player Scott has been throughout his career.”
During the 2009-10 championship season, Wray posted remarkable numbers, finishing with a career-high 78 points and becoming the first Rush player to score 30 goals in a single campaign. The Ottawa, Ontario native competed in all 64 regular season games and led the Rush in goals (31), game-winning goals (8), and rating (+31). He also finished second in assists (47), points (78), powerplay points (25), and shots (249). The veteran leader will always be remembered by Rush fans for scoring the game-winning goal in double-overtime to secure the Ray Miron President’s Cup Championship on May 5th in Game 6 versus the Allen Americans.
Texas Brahmas
There was no news of any kind from the Brahmas organization this week.
As one longtime Brahmas fan wrote on the team’s forum:
Hockey starts in five weeks…I paid for two Brahmas season tickets months ago as usual… I did not hear a word all summer…The team has been sold but I don’t know who owns it…We have a team and a schedule but I don’t know where we are playing…Fonger (Dan Wildfong) is the coach, but I don’t know a single player officially…other than that, things are good.
In other news, former Brahmas forward T.J. Fox has reportedly signed with the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL).
Tulsa Oilers
The Oilers announced this week that they have signed forwards Gary Steffes and Jeremiah Ketts their 2012-13 roster. Steffes is entering his third season in Tulsa and Ketts is a rookie out of Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. Last season, the 25-year old Steffes scored 22 goals and tallied 30 assists, a nine point improvement from 2010-11 when he was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team. Over the last two seasons, Steffes has appeared in every single game for the Oilers. The 6′ 2″, 205-pound center spent most of the 2011-12 campaign anchoring Tulsa’s second line and recorded 12 multiple-point games. “Tulsa’s been awesome for me, I’m so thankful for the opportunity to come back for another year,” Steffes said. “I really respect the Oilers organization, I love playing for Rammer (Head Coach Bruce Ramsay), and it’s really helped me to grow as a player.” “Gary is one of those guys who can do everything,” Ramsay said. “He can score goals for us, he can win face-offs, he’s big and strong in the corners, and he’s just a fantastic teammate. He takes such good care of himself and I can always count on him night in and night out because I know exactly what I’m going to get when he steps on the ice.” Steffes, a native of Grand Blanc, Michigan, shares a similar sentiment with many of his returning teammates. Narrowly missing the playoffs last season has created an extra measure of resolve for this year’s squad. “I t hink when you go through something like last year, it makes you want to take advantage of every moment and not take any games for granted,” Steffes said. “I would love to be a part of a culture here that’s passionate about going to the playoffs and be a part of team that absolutely battles every night.” Ketts, a 5′ 8″, 188-pound forward, comes to the Oilers fresh off a highly decorated collegiate career. In each of the last two seasons, the Foristell, Missouri product led Division III in points and was named an All-American. A two-time ECAC Northeast Player of Year, the 24-year old Ketts scored 165 points in 104 career games at Johnson & Wales University. He capped off his senior season with the Wildcats by winning the prestigious Joe Concannon Award, presented annually to the top American-born hockey player in New England at the Division II or III level. “I c ouldn’t think of a better place to start my career than in Tulsa,” Ketts said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself and to play in a top notch facility like the BOK Center. I know the Oilers had some great rookies last season, and with a few of those guys leaving, I hope I can come in and fill a role. From what I’ve heard there’s a great mix of veterans and young guys on the team so I’m excited to get this season started.” “Jeremiah has huge potential and I think he can definitely be one of the best rookies we’ve had here recently,” Ramsay remarked. “I have no doubts about his offensive capabilities, I love his work ethic, and I think he can be a key cog in our team this season.”
Last spring, Ketts signed an amateur contract for the Reading Royals (ECHL) and suited up for two regular season games. Ketts knows that experience will serve him well when he arrives at Oilers training camp. “Getting those couple of games under my belt was huge mostly because I got to practice a lot,” Ketts said. “I got a good gauge of the speed of the game at that level and how hard guys work on and off the ice. I learned a lot and tried to soak it all up as much as I could.” Ketts is the fifth rookie forward signed by Ramsay during this off season.
Wichita Thunder
There was no news of note from the Thunder organization this week.
Left wing Chris Chappell has reportedly committed to the University of Waterloo (CIS). In addition, forward Alex Bourret has reportedly signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL).
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