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Plymouth Whalers to honor veterans at 2010-11 games

BY PETE KRUPSKY
Sept. 13, 2010, 10:25 a.m.


  PLYMOUTH – The Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers have a long history of community involvement.  This season, the Whalers – along with Quicken Loans and Compuware Corporation - are proud to announce the “Veteran of the Game” program for all 2010-11 regular season home games.

 

  The program will honor men and women who have served in the armed forces at Whalers games.  The first Veteran of the Game coincides with the Whalers home opener, on Sat. Sept. 25 at 7pm against the Barrie Colts at Compuware Arena.

 

  Veterans will be chosen by nomination from individuals or veteran organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or American Legion posts. Veterans from all branches of the military and from all wars are eligible. Fans are invited to submit nominations to the Whalers front office at Compuware Arena in person, by fax (734-453-4201), or e-mail (frontoffice@plymouthwhalers.com).

 

  The Veteran of the Game and their immediate family will be admitted free of charge to a Whalers game, as guests of the Whalers.  An interview with the veteran will be featured on Whalers television, radio on 88.1FM WSDP, and internet streaming at www.plymouthwhalers.com.  The veteran will be acknowledged for their service at the game and receive a commemorative coin.

 

  In recognition of daily sacrifices and contributions made by active duty military members, a $200 donation will be made on the Veteran of the Games’ behalf to the United Service Organizations (USO). The USO is a nonprofit organization that supports military personnel in 140 locations globally with morale boosting programs. 

 

  The program is personally important to the Whalers staff and players. 

 

  “We’re proud to honor the veterans and their families for their sacrifices for our country,” said Plymouth Whalers Corporate Sales Representative Julius Passeri, a veteran himself. 

 

  RJ Mahalak, a left-winger starting his fourth season with the Whalers said, “I have the utmost respect for veterans and all members of our military.  They keep our country safe and ask nothing in return. They are truly heroes and it will be great to honor them at [Whalers] games”.

 

  At the last game of the season, one Veteran of the Game from the previous 33 home games will be honored as the Whalers Veteran of the Year. A $900 donation to the USO will be made on their behalf. The Whalers believe this program highlights the teams’ commitment to the community and gratitude towards veterans and military members.   

 

  The Whalers enjoyed a 25-percent spike in attendance in 2009-10 and the team is holding ticket prices for 2010-11. Single game ticket prices remain $15 for Center Ice Seating and $11 for Executive Reserved and Bench Seating. Season tickets for the 34-game home schedule start at $269. In addition, the Whalers offer a host of affordable Group ticket plans, Mini and Flex Ticket Packages and Family Value Packs. More information can be found by calling (734) 453-8400 or by going online to http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/tickets.html.

Rookie goalie Mahalak shines in preseason finale

  ST. THOMAS, ON -  The Plymouth Whalers completed the preseason in style, using good balance while outworking the London Knights en route to a 5-0 victory Saturday night at Timken Centre.
 
  The Whalers - who tied London, 1-1, on Friday - finished the preseason at 1-1-2.
 
  Rookie goaltender Matt Mahalak pitched a 26-save shutout, but he had plenty of help from his teammates.  Stefan Noesen and Garrett Meurs each scored a goal with three assists in the game.  Veteran defenseman Beau Schmitz - who wore the "C" in both games this weekend - scored two goals.  Rookie Ben Holtom scored the other Plymouth goal.
 
  The Whalers led 2-0 after one period and 3-0 after forty minutes.  Holtom got the Whalers rolling at 1:22 when he accepted Neosen's pass from behind the London net and wasted no time with a one-timer from the hashmarks past Knights goaltender Conner McKinnon.  Rickard Rakell and Noesen teamed up to feed Meurs at 14:42, who scored from the right side of the London goal.
 
  Mahalak's best save of the game came with about four minutes left in the first period when he denied Dane Fox on a breakaway.
 
  Plymouth took a 3-0 lead while working with a two-man adavantge.  The Whalers were patient with the puck and Meurs and Noesen combined to find Schmitz in the high slot, who made no mistake with a hard shot at the 10:00 of the period.
 
  Rookie Tom Wilson's good play set up Schmitz at 10:19 of the third period.  Wilson skated behind the net and threaded a pass in the slot to Schmitz, who ripped the puck past McKinnon.  Noesen completed the scoring on a deflection from the hashmarks at 14:49 when he got a piece of Colin MacDonald's shot.  Meurs drew the second assist on the play.
 
  Noesen led the Whalers in scoring in the preseason with two goals and four assists for six points.  Mahalak lowered his goals against in the preseason to 2.32.


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military

Military personnel have been honored and/or inducted during Plymouth Whalers games before.  But this season's Veteran of the Game promotion takes the promotion to a whole new level.