(Team Release) - Last season the Corpus Christi Rayz went further in the post-season than ever before. On Thursday, the Rayz brought back two players who were instrumental in that run. Corpus Christi has re-signed forwards Nick Lindberg and Kevin Watters for the 2007-2008 season, Head Coach, Ken McRae announced at a press conference at NorthShore Country Club in Portland. Watters and Lindberg paced the Rayz playoff scoring with 12 and 11 points respectively in 12 post-season games. The signings bring the Rayz number of contracted players up to ten, and Lindberg becomes the third veteran on the team, joining Geno Parrish and Joe Blaznek. Corpus Christi also announced that their lone, home exhibition game will take place on Saturday, October 13th at 7:05pm at the American Bank Center. The game will once again be part of the Caller-Times Best-of-the-Best Showcase, and will be free to fans, courtesy of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
Announced CHL Player Signings for 2007-2008 Lindberg, 27, returns to the Gulf Coast after joining the Rayz in early December last season. The European forward made an immediate impact with the Rayz, scoring on his first shot in his first game with Corpus Christi. He remained consistent throughout the season ending the year with 19 goals and 20 assists for 39 points in only 47 games. He finished the season second on the team in goals per games played and fifth in points per games. Originally from Stockholm, Sweden, Lindberg spent his third straight season in North America last season. The 5’11”, 190lbs. veteran has amassed 299 points (135g, 164a) in 398 career games. Lindberg said he was excited to return to Corpus Christi after a strong start to his CHL career.
“I fell into a comfort zone right away in Corpus Christi, and really enjoyed last season,” Lindberg said. “It’s a good organization, and we have a good bunch of guys returning. The city is terrific and I’m glad to be coming back.”
Lindberg began last season with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL where appeared in just eight games, tallying five points (2g, 3a). Prior to that, Lindberg made his North American debut with the Pensacola Ice Pilots, also of the ECHL, where he spent two seasons from 2004-2006. He finished his Pensacola stint with 81 points (27g, 54a) in 141 games. Before making his way West, Lindberg spent five seasons playing in his native country of Sweden. McRae said that while Lindberg was a late arrival last season, his performance was impressive enough to ensure his return this year.
“We’re looking forward to having Nick for a full season this year,” said McRae. I think he can be a 30-goal man, and over a point a game guy with a full season. He helped lead our team in the playoffs, and as one of our four vets, he’ll be looked to as a leader all season long. We’re counting on him to be a big point producer, and I’m excited to have him back in Corpus Christi.”
Watters, 24, makes his way back to the Rayz after a great, two-way campaign with Corpus Christi last season. Watters showed tremendous versatility, adding a defensive role to his arsenal last year. On a line that was often matched up against the opposition’s number one unit, Watters shined at both ends of the ice. He was able to help the Rayz finish the season with the best team defense in the Southern Conference, while still adding an offensive scoring punch. Watters finished the year with 40 points (12g, 28a), placing seventh in team scoring. Watters then turned it on in crunch time, leading the Rayz in scoring throughout the playoffs with a point per game performance. Watters notched 12 points (4g, 8a) in as many games in the post-season and was the only Rayz player to record a point in each of the seven games in the opening round series versus Arizona.
As a rookie in the UHL, the 6’4”, 225 lbs. Watters made a splash onto the scene recorded 71 points (36 goals, 35 assists) and 67 penalty minutes in 75 games with the Adirondack Frostbite. A Pittsford, NY native, Watters led the Frostbite in goals, and was third on the team in points. Watters finished his first pro season ranked sixth in rookie goal scoring and seventh in rookie points. Completing his stand-out, inaugural year, Watters was elected to the UHL All-Star Game and earned a brief call up to the American Hockey League’s Binghamton Senators – the AAA affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators. McRae said that he liked what he saw out of Watters last year, specifically towards the end of the season.
“Kevin had a very strong playoff run and we are looking for him to come in and pick up where he left off last season,” said McRae. “His play really picked up as the season went on, and after what we saw from him late, I know he can produce even more goals and more points. Last year, we changed Kevin’s role a bit, but this year we want to get him back into those scoring situations that made him so successful (two years ago). He’ll be paired with more offensive players this season. He showed as rookie that he can bury the puck, and given the opportunity, he can be a big offensive player we need him to be.”
Prior to turning pro, Watters spent four seasons of college hockey at the NCAA program SUNY-Cortland. In his collegiate career, Watters had 38 goals and 63 assists for 101 points in 108 games. He also added 164 penalty minutes.
Lindberg and Watters bring the number of returning players under contract to six. Lindberg said he was happy with the way the team was shaping up for next season.
“I think the team looks really good so far,” Lindberg said. “We had a great group (last year), and we’ll try to build off that with the guys returning and with some good additions, we can try to do even better this year.”
