 September 20, 2007 - The Corpus Christi Rayz announced the signings of four new defensemen on
Thursday, bringing their total number of contracted players to 25 for
training camp. Corpus Christi agreed to terms with A.J. Bozoian, Niko
Tuomi, Matt Iannetta and Gregg Jonhannesen, giving the Rayz nine defensemen
to go along with 13 forwards and three goaltenders. Training camp begins
in just 18 days on Monday, October 8th. The Rayz will begin their 10th
Anniversary season in five weeks and return to the American Bank Center on
Saturday, October 20th to host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at
7:05pm. Season tickets and corporate packages are currently available
through the Rayz office. For more information, please call (361) 814-PUCK.
Bozoian, 25, makes his way to Corpus Christi for his third professional
season. The Brownstone, MI native has spent all but one game of his pro
career in the former United Hockey League. Last season with the UHL’s Fort
Wayne Komets, Bozoian appeared in 50 games, recording three goals, 11
assists, 14 points and 30 penalty minutes. As a rookie, Bozoian played 48
games for the Komets, scoring three goals and five assists. Prior to
arriving in Fort Wayne, the 5’11”, 190lbs. blue liner played in seven games
for the Motor City Mechanics and one game in the Southern Professional
Hockey League for the Jacksonville Barracudas. Prior to turning pro,
Bozoian played collegiate hockey at Wayne State University and Niagara
University. A.J.’s older brother Mike played professionally for two
seasons, including a brief stint under Rayz Head Coach Ken McRae. Mike
Bozoian appeared in four games for McRae’s Indianapolis Ice at the start of
the 2003-2004 CHL season.
Tuomi, 24, joins the Rayz roster for his sophomore season after an eventful
rookie campaign in the ECHL. Tuomi appeared in 55 games last season with
the Florida Everblades, Pensacola Pilots and Charlotte Checkers. Tuomi
scored a combined three goals, 16 assists and 19 points last year and added
35 penalty minutes. Before turning pro, the 6’1”, 205lbs. Echo Bay,
Ontario native played two strong seasons of college hockey for St. Francis
Xavier University and several seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario
Hockey League with the Guelph Storm and Sault St. Marie Greyhounds. His
most productive offensive season came in his final year of junior hockey in
2004-2005 when he chimed in with six goals and 27 points for the Storm in
just 46 games played.
Iannetta, 25, remains classified as a rookie defenseman who comes to the
Rayz after appearing in 17 professional games in Italy last season.
Originally from Woodbridge, Ontario, Iannetta played four seasons of
college hockey at the University of Waterloo. In 73 career college games,
Iannetta tallied six goals, 21 assists, 27 points and 145 penalty minutes.
Last season, the 6’1”, 175 lbs. blue liner had one goal, one assist and 18
PIM for Asiago HC.
Johannesen, 23, played four seasons of collegiate hockey for the Utica
Pioneers. In four seasons, Johannesen played in 101 games, scoring three
goals, 17 assists and 20 points. Johannesen brings a lot of size and
physical play, standing 6’3” and weighing 225 lbs. The Kalamazoo, MI
native will make his pro debut in training camp with the Rayz this season.
McRae said he was anxious to see his roster - which now stands at 25
players - take shape in training camp.
“This off-season we had to replenish our blue line,” said McRae. “Guys
like Tuomi and Bozoian bring speed and puck moving ability and Iannetta and
Johannesen both bring solid reputations as defensive defensemen and are
good character guys. We now have nine solid defensemen ready to come to
camp and show off what they can bring to this hockey club. We’re going to
have a bunch of young and hungry guys fighting for a spot on this blue line
and I’m excited to see what they have to offer when training camp starts in
a couple of weeks.”
After training camp, the Rayz must cut down their roster size to meet
league standards. This year the CHL allows a maximum of 19 active players
on a team’s roster by the start of the regular season in October 19th, one
more than last season’s limit of 18.
The Corpus Christi Rayz return to the American Bank Center for their 10th
Anniversary on Saturday, October 20th at 7:05pm. The Rayz are proud to be
celebrating a decade along the Gulf Coast and invite all of South Texas to
join in the fun of the 2007-2008 campaign. Season tickets and corporate
packages are currently available through the Rayz office. For more
information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.
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