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The Corpus Christi Rayz introduced Maribel Castillo as their new General Manager on Sunday afternoon. Castillo will not officially begin her tenure with the Rayz until Tuesday, however she has already begun to make headlines around the Coastal Bend and Central Hockey League. Castillo becomes both the first female and Hispanic General Manager in Rayz franchise history and also becomes the only female and second youngest GM in the 17-team league. Rayz Owner and President, Doug Frank worked with Castillo in New Mexico for the better part of five years and made the announcement official Sunday afternoon at the American Bank Center, just hours before the Rayz game vs. the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

Despite her age, the 28-year old Castillo has already amassed a wide variety of sports management roles in her career. The New Mexico native began working with the CHL's New Mexico Scorpions in 2002, and maintained a role with the organization through this year. In March of 2006, she took a position as the Production Manager of the all-new Santa Ana Center - the new home of the Scorpions. Frank, who prior to this season sold the Scorpions, was at the helm of the New Mexico club at the time Castillo joined the franchise. In her four and half years there, Frank watched her succeed and advance into new roles. Castillo served in ticket sales, as a Box Office Manager, Corporate Business Manager, and most recently Assistant General Manager. This will be her first role as a General Manager, but given her track record Frank is confident he's found the right person for the job.

"Ms. Castillo joined the Scorpions while finishing her Masters Degree, and immediately had an impact on our organization there," he said. "Soon she began taking additional responsibilities in all areas from community relations, ticket sales, box office and business operations. Her experience opening the all- new Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho has only added to her experiences relevant to our team operations. She has the personality, drive, savvy and business sense to bring this team to where we want to be in the short future."

Castillo was born in Dexter, New Mexico and has strong ties to that area. In addition to the Scorpions and Santa Ana Center, Castillo also held a brief position with the AAA Baseball team, the Albuquerque Isotopes. She has received a Bachelor's Degree as well as a Master's Degree in Sports Administration from the University of New Mexico. Joining the Rayz and moving to South Texas will offer Castillo another challenge, but one she is confident she can handle.

"I'm excited for this opportunity and looking forward to bringing my experience to the Rayz organization as we prepare for our tenth season in Corpus Christi," Castillo said. "From everything I've seen and heard, the Rayz have the potential to once again become the talk of the town. It will by my goal and my privilege to get us there."

Castillo takes over the General Manager position vacated by Larry Linde earlier in the week. Linde will remain with the Rayz in an advisory role as a team consultant, but has accepted a job as the Executive Director of the Af2's new franchise the Corpus Christi Sharks.

The countdown to 2007 is on, and you can be a part of the biggest New Year's Eve Party in the Coastal Bend. It all takes place Sunday night, December 31st on the on "Tux and Pucks Night" at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T. The Corpus Christi Rayz will host the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at a special start time of 8:05pm at the American Bank Center, and all fans in attendance at the game will receive free admission to a post-game New Year's Eve Party. The post-game party will feature public skating, party favors and a spectacular fireworks display on the waterfront. Tickets start at just $10. Call ahead to inquire about $6 seats. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

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After Sunday night's game between the Corpus Christi Rayz and Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, it might be tough for Rayz fans to say goodbye to 2006. Ryan Carter had two goals, including the game winner in a shootout to lead the Rayz comeback effort as they beat the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 5-4 at the American Bank Center. The Rayz finished the week with a 2-1 record and finished 2006 with a 14-12-5 record this season for 33 points - second most in the Southern Conference. Corpus Christi will begin the 2007 calendar year on Friday, January 5th when they host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

The Corpus Christi Rayz had gone 11 games and seven weeks since their last road regulation loss heading into Saturday night's game at Odessa. A 3-1 loss to the Jackalopes snapped the streak in the same place it originated. Power plays were the difference Saturday as the Jacks topped the Rayz at the Ector county Coliseum. The Jacks went 2-3 on the power play, while the Rayz went 0-8. The Rayz fell to 13-12-5 on the year and remained in second place in the Southeast Division and Southern Conference. The Rayz will now return to South Texas for New Year's Eve Tux and Pucks Game at the American Bank Center, presented by AT&T. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361) 814-PUCK.

The Rayz and Mudbugs played a wide open first period, but neither team found the back of the net. Both clubs put nine shots on goal and the teams went into the second period scoreless.

In the second period, the teams finally saw results from their scoring chances and combined for five goals. The Mudbugs struck first when Daniel Pegoraro scored on a beautiful goal at 1:26. Pegoraro moved in on Zelenewich and deked him sliding the puck on the ice and into the net to give the Bugs the 1-0 lead. The advantage was short lived, however as the Rayz answered 50 seconds later when Jay Hardwick blasted home a rebound from the left circle following a Jason Baird shot at 2:16. The Mudbugs recaptured the lead, and increased it to two with goals 45 seconds apart later in the frame. Milan Vodrazka scored from just outside the crease on a power play at 10:17 to give the Bugs a 2-1 lead. At 11:02 Pegoraro scored his second of the night on a rebound in the crease to make the score 3-1. The Rayz inched within one when Justin Quenneville redirected a Tony Johnson shot from the blueline at 14:33. The Bugs outshot the Rayz 17-16 in the period and took a 3-2 lead into the third.

The Rayz dug deep in the third period to come from behind and force overtime. Ryan Carter tied the score at three creating a turnover and blasting a shot into the net at 4:50. However, again the Bugs recaptured the lead when Ryan Fairbarn snuck behind the defense and buried a shot from the left circle to make the score 4-3 Bugs. The Rayz, however, would not go quietly and tied the game late when Nick Lindberg redirected a Jay Hardwick shot into the net at 16:33 to force overtime. After a scoreless overtime, the Rayz dominated the shootout to earn the win in the final game of 2006. Brent Zelenewich stoned all four shooters he faced and Ryan Carter and Jason Baird scored to give the Rayz the win.

The win for the Rayz upped their record to 14-12-5. Zelenewich made 31 saves on 35 shots, improving to 5-5-2. The Mudbugs kept their nine-game point streak alive, but had their five-game winning streak snapped and moved to 15-9-5. Adam Hanna made 41 saves on 45 shots, and moved to 2-0-1. The Rayz outshot the Bugs 46-35. The Rayz went 0-5 on the power play and Bossier-Shreveport went 1-2.