Broomfield, Colo. - The Rocky Mountain Rage Hockey Club has signed forward
Chip Dunleavy, who grew up playing youth hockey in Littleton and is a graduate of Columbine High School. Dunleavy becomes the 15
th player under contract for the team's inaugural season in the Central Hockey League, which begins on the road against the rival Colorado Eagles on Oct. 20. The Rage makes its home debut at the brand new, state-of-the-art Broomfield Event Center on Nov. 10 against the Tulsa Oilers.
Dunleavy, listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, began playing hockey at the age of four with the Littleton Hockey Association at South Suburban Ice Arena. After playing Midget AAA in Colorado, he headed to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he was voted the Blugolds' Freshman of the Year in 2002-03. Named captain as a senior last season, Dunleavy led the club in points (17), goals (13), and power play goals (9) on the way to earning All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Honorable Mention accolades.
The 24-year-old turned pro following last year's college campaign, signing with the ECHL's Victoria Salmon Kings. He made his professional debut on Feb. 24, 2006, and played 16 games for the Salmon Kings.
"The quality of youth hockey in Colorado continues to improve, and it's exciting to be able to look for players that have local connections and are talented enough to play professional hockey," said Rage head coach
Tracy Egeland. "Chip got a taste of what it's like to make the jump to this level of pro hockey last season, and we expect him to be able to make a valuable contribution to our hockey club."
"I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to play in my own backyard," said Dunleavy. "I haven't played back in Colorado in four or five years, and I'm excited to begin [the first full year of] my pro career here at home."
The Rocky Mountain Rage is one of two expansion teams in the CHL's 17-team field. The Rage will join the Colorado Eagles, Oklahoma City Blazers and Wichita Thunder in the Northwest Division. Season Tickets are available now for the 2006-07 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit
www.RockyMountainRage.com.
About the Broomfield Event Center: Currently under construction on the south side of U.S. Highway 36, between 112
th and 120
th Streets, the $45 million Broomfield Event Center will be a state-of-the-art 180,000 square foot multi-purpose event center and will include 6,000 seats, including 25 suites, 900 club seats, a sit-down restaurant, two themed bars and a separate basketball practice facility. The Broomfield Event Center will host more than 130 events per year, including concerts, trade shows, rodeos and sporting events. It is the future home of the Rocky Mountain Rage Professional Hockey Club and the Colorado 14ers Professional Basketball Club from the NBA Development League (Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors affiliate team). The new venue is scheduled to open in November.
About Arista: The Broomfield Event Center is a major anchor for the 215 acre multi-use development known as Arista. Other than the event center, the Arista development will include retail, office and residential space.