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Ruff and ready: Leadership brings ex-NHL veteran to Austin

June 28, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release


Leadership from veteran players is crucial on any sports team, and the Austin Ice Bats today acquired it in abundance. The Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League announced that veteran winger Jason Ruff has been signed to contract for the team's 10th-Anniversary 2005-06 season. Preparing to enter his 15th professional season, Ruff is a former National Hockey League player, appearing with both St. Louis and Tampa Bay.

The 35-year-old Ruff, a native of Kelowna, British Columbia, was a fifth-round selection of the St. Louis Blues in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Capping a four-year junior career with Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League, Ruff scored 61 goals and 75 assists in 66 games with the Hurricanes in 1990-91, and was named a WHL All-Star. He then appeared in five playoff games with the Blues' top affiliate, helping the International League's Peoria Rivermen to the 1991 Turner Cup. Ruff spent two more years in the Blues organization, before being traded to Tampa Bay in January of 1993. Ruff then spent two seasons split between the Lightning and their IHL affiliate in Atlanta. All tolled, Ruff played eight full seasons in the AAA-level International League and won the Turner Cup championship twice more (with Atlanta in 1994 and the Houston Aeros in 1999).

After his third North American pro championship, Ruff headed overseas, where he played five seasons from 1999 through 2004 in the top professional leagues in England and Germany. As recently as 2003-04, Ruff scored 35 goals and 51 assists with the Belfast Giants, leading the English Elite League in scoring and earning Player of the Year honors from the British Ice Hockey Writers Association.

Last season, Ruff returned stateside and finished among the top 15 United Hockey League scorers, compiling 29 goals and 51 assists, for a total of 80 points in 66 games with the Kansas City Outlaws.

"What stands out about Jason Ruff is his ability to lead," said Ice Bats President Jeff Buch. "He will be one of the top players in our league not only because of his immense talent, but also because of his work ethic and leadership qualities."

"Jason has excelled at all levels, in the NHL, IHL and in Europe," said Ice Bats Head Coach Greg Gatto. "He's immediately one of the most well-rounded players in our league. He plays tough, scores goals and is a great passer. Fans have seen what Greg Pankewicz has done in two years at Colorado, and I'd expect Jason to project similarly in our league."

Gatto agrees that Ruff's leadership and experience will be key factors for this year's Austin team.

"He's won three championships," Gatto says. "He knows how to win. He'll be a leader in our locker room and hold guys accountable. Younger guys will look up to Jason because of his work ethic and what he's accomplished. He leads by example, and he's a great individual."

"I'm looking forward to getting to Austin and getting started," Ruff said. "I think Greg Gatto will put a quality product on the ice, and it's exciting to be a part of that. At some point, I also want to get into coaching. I'm not sure when, because I think I still have a lot to offer as a player. But I want to take advantage of the opportunity to learn a bit from Greg this season and then we'll see what happens."

Ruff becomes the fourth Ice Bat officially inked to contract for the coming season, joining goaltender Matt Barnes, defenseman Ryan Leasa and winger John McNabb.

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The Ice Bats will celebrate Independence Day by taking part in the Round Rock Frontier Days celebration on July 4th. Mascot "Fang" and the "Bat Attitude" truck will appear in a parade in downtown Round Rock beginning at 10am, and the Ice Bats will be represented at the Frontier Days Celebration festival at Old Settler's Park beginning at 11am.

The following weekend, the Ice Bats will then resume their schedule of free youth in-line hockey clinics. The "RollerBats Asphalt Assault Tour" will continue Saturday, July 9th from 10am to noon, at the Academy Sports & Outdoors location at I-35 and Highway 183.

All five summer clinics are free of charge and open to all children ages 6-13, accompanied by a parent or guardian. No pre-registration is necessary. Ice Bats players and Coach Gatto conduct skills and safety demonstrations, and in-line hockey scrimmages. Autograph signings conclude each session. Participants are asked to bring their own in-line skates, stick and helmet. Additional equipment will be available on a limited basis.

The Ice Bats will begin their 10th-Anniversary 2005-06 season in October at the Travis County Expo Center, before relocating to a new facility in Cedar Park in the Fall of 2006. Season tickets and corporate partnerships are currently available for the upcoming season. Fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com for more information.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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