In conjunction with the 2003 Central Hockey League Spring Conference currently being held in Phoenix, Arizona, the Colorado Eagles and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees today selected five players each in the Expansion Draft. Bth clubs will begin their first season of play this coming October. The players selected by pictured coaches Chris Stewart (Colorado) and Tracey Egeland (Lubbock) immediately become the CHL property of their respective teams. With the first pick, Colorado selected defenseman James Sheehan from the Lubbock Cotton Kings, who enjoyed a 6-goal, 26-assist year with Lubbock, while also registering a +20 plus / minus total. Rio Grande Valley countered with a pick of rearguard Luch Nasato from the two-time defending Presidents Cup Champion Memphis RiverKings. The charismatic Nasato had 4 goals and 25 assists for Memphis last season, adding 5 goals and 8 assists during the RiverKings' run to their second consecutive title.
Aside from Sheehan, Colorado also picked Odessa defenseman Denis Desmarais (with the 4th selection), El Paso physical forward Josh Tymchak (6th), talented Memphis forward Michal Stastny (8th), and Tulsa defenseman Jorin Welsh (10th). Also becoming property of the Killer Bees were Tulsa forward Peter MacKellar (3rd), forward Andrew Taylor of the Indianapolis Ice (5th), forward Jason Abel from the San Angelo Saints (7th) and rearguard Derek Stone of the Oklahoma City Blazers (9th).
2003 CHL Expansion Draft Results
1 Colorado - James Sheehan (Defenseman - Lubbock)
2 Rio Grande Valley Luch Nasato (Defenseman - Memphis)
3 Rio Grande Valley Peter MacKellar (Forward - Tulsa)
4 Colorado Denis Desmarais (Defenseman - Odessa)
5 Rio Grande Valley Andrew Taylor (Forward - Indianapolis)
6 Colorado Josh Tymchak (Forward - El Paso)
7 Rio Grande Valley Jason Abel (Forward - San Angelo)
8 Colorado Michal Stastny (Forward - Memphis)
9 Rio Grande Valley Derek Stone (Defenseman - Oklahoma City)
10 Colorado Jorin Welsh (Defenseman - Tulsa)
The 2003 Central Hockey League Spring Conference concludes Wednesday evening with the annual Awards Banquet, where 13 teams and individuals will be recognized for their achievements in the past year. Of particular note will be the announcement of the CHL Executive and Franchise of the Year awards. Thursday, a detailed press release will be issued outlining any significant operational issues that may have been altered.