Coach Bill McDonald takes over this season, and has a lot of room to improve on last year's club, with a few key-tool players that will provide some initial lift. Swift forward John McNabb is particularly effective killing penalties with six shorthanded goals last year. Returning starting goaltender Matt Barnes can steal games by himself. Forwards Gerald Tallaire and Jeff Neufeld, along with new Ice Bats Aaron Davis and Dave MacIntyre, are expected to capitalize on new CHL rules. MacDonald also brought in three experienced and capable defensemen like Aaron Schneekloth, Julius Halfkenny and Darryl McArthur to help shore up the defensive unit that gushed 3.60 goals per game last year. Improving on the power play will also be key; the Ice Bats posted a CHL-worst 12.40% success rate with the man advantage last season.

Affiliated: Houston, AHL; Minnesota, NHL

Coach: Bill McDonald

Overall: 269-190-60 in CHL
04-05 Record: 28-27-05

The Rayz went winless in 10 straight games between February 16th and March 11th to fall out of the playoff picture last year. Coach Ken McRae’s off-season recruiting efforts fished up a few former Scorpions available after that team was sidelined for the season. Standout goaltender Scott Reid and forwards Randy Murphy and Shawn Legault move South to Corpus. Reid was the CHL’s Most Outstanding Goaltender in 03-04, while Murphy (71 points) and Legault (300 penalty minutes) were leaders last season in New Mexico. Returning Rayz Jason Baird and defenseman Bernie John, who were both All-Stars last season should also contribute to a marked improvement. They Rayz have not made the playoffs since the 2000-2001 season.

Coach: Ken McRae

Overall: 103-63-20 in CHL
04-05 Record: 28-25-07

The Bucks are a force to be contended with in this division, and in the CHL overall. The return of forward Chris Grenville (45 goals in 03-04) will add spark to an attack already featuring Jeff Bes, Brent Cullaton and James Hiebert, while Serge Dube and Steve Weidlich anchor the blue line. The Bucks will start the season with a new goaltender; both David Lemanowicz and Chad Davis are new to Laredo. The Bucks are expected to benefit from strong affiliation agreements in place with San Antonio (AHL) and Phoenix (NHL). The Bucks will have an early opportunity to gel as a team, with six of their first eight contests on the road, including an opening night Finals rematch at Colorado.

Affiliations: San Antonio, AHL; Phoenix, NHL
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Overall: 124-47-17 in CHL
04-05 Record: 35-22-03

The Killer Bees struggled last season. They have shored up their offensive capabilities, though giving them some hope against teams like Laredo. Rio Grande Valley picked up linemates Aaron Phillips and NHL-experienced Dwayne Hay from Pensacola. Over the past two seasons the two have combined for 224 points (88g, 136a), a combined plus/minus rating of 61, and finished second and fifth in scoring in the ECHL respectively. The Bees also nabbed Trevor Weisgerber, who averaged nearly a point per game the last three seasons, and Nathan Rosychuk, who had 38 points in 49 games last year with San Angelo. One man who should benefit from more pressure on the other side of the rink is goaltender Evan Lindsay, who won a championship last year in the British National League and was his team’s MVP in 03-04.

Coach: Tracy Egeland
69-84-14 in CHL
04-05 Record: 19-38-03