Central Hockey League - San Angelo Saints

San Angelo Saints Unveil New Uniforms

By PAUL HARRIS, Staff Writer
September 18, 2003

With the start of training camp only weeks away, the San Angelo Saints unveiled their brand spanking new uniforms on Wednesday at their monthly media luncheon.

The uniforms have a sharp, professional look with the Saints' logo displayed prominently on the front of the jersey. Needless to say, they are light years ahead of last season's uniforms, which were basically thrown together in the organization's mad scramble to simply try and get a team on the ice.

The new uniforms have white as the dominant color for home games, black as the dominant color for away games until after the all-star game, when every team in the league switches it up.

''I'm really excited about the uniforms,'' said Saints owner Jim Cook. ''This isn't something that happened overnight. We've worked on this for months and months and received input from a lot of people.

''Every year, the CHL gives out an award to the best jersey and there's no doubt that we'll be in the running this year.''

The uniforms, like most everything the Saints have been doing this offseason, seem to be a sure hit. Even with all of the strides the franchise made last year, the team has truly been moving in a new direction since the day the new coach, Ray Edwards, arrived in town.

The charismatic coach had already signed 20 players as of Wednesday, including eight who played for the Saints last year, most notably the team's two leading goal scorers in Chris Peach and Steve Roberts, plus goaltender Scott Reid, who had the team's best goals against average last year.

But, the players are just the beginning. The team recently signed a radio deal with Magic 98.7 to broadcast their away games and not long before that, the Saints introduced the team's new mascot, Halo, who has also been a success.

On top of all that, the Saints have been making numerous appearances in the community with their Saints in the City program. All in all, it's been a remarkable offseason for the Saints.

''Whoever named this time the offseason has no idea,'' said Cook with a laugh. ''We're working 16 to 18 hours a day. We're sitting at 600 fully-paid season tickets, which doesn't even include the weekend packages that have been so popular its even surprised me.''

Players are scheduled to report to training camp on Oct. 4 with the team's first exhibition game just six days later at home against Odessa.

The exhibition is taking place the week before National Food Bank Week, so the Saints have teamed up with the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank to offer tickets for only $5 (normal price is $7) to anyone who brings at least three non-perishable food items.

Season ticket holders can attend the exhibition free of charge, but with Thanksgiving not too far in the distant future, everyone is encouraged to pitch in to the food drive.

The Saints' season opener will also be against the Jackalopes in Odessa on Oct. 17, while their first home game will take place the next day against Rio Grande Valley.

''I'm really happy with the way this offseason has gone,'' said Edwards. ''Obviously, from a hockey standpoint, we're excited where we are, but we still have a long way to go and a lot of things to do. Of course we're happy, but we're not content.''

Edwards said he plans on signing two or three more players before the start of camp to help the team improve in a few areas and also for depth purposes.

Of all of the things Edwards will be teaching the Saints this year, the one he most wants is to teach the team how to win again, to equal and surpass the success the franchise saw in its first few years.

By all early indications, Edwards and the Saints are on the right track.

For the next week or so, the Saints will still be taking entries in their contest to let a fan design goalie Scott Reid's mask. The contest is open to everyone 18 and under and the deadline is Sept. 25.

Contestants can mail or drop off their color entries at the Saints office at 3111 Knickerbocker Road, San Angelo, TX 76904. Helmet templates are available at the Saints office or you can print one yourself at sanangelosaints.com.

The winner will get to be a special guest of the Saints on opening night (Oct. 18). He/she will be given access to the locker room and can help equipment manager Rich Van Patten get the players ready for the game.

In addition, the winner will also receive an authentic goalie stick signed by Reid.

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