1000 Islands Privateers 2011-12 Preview
Published on October 10, 2011 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Alexandria Bay, NY -Thousand Islands are looking for a special dressing this year and that is the Commissioner's Cup. The Privateers made the FHL playoffs only to lose to the Akwesasne Warriors in four games. Trailing 10-4 in the fourth and deciding game at home; this loss was especially heartbreaking as these two formed a rivalry that will continue this season. What intensifies this feud is the two clubs being only 75 miles apart from one another which can fan the flames of a turf war growing in the FHL
The Privateers will look to cast away opposing goaltenders with center Alex Groupil whose 77 points lead the FHL last season. Along with winger Tyler Fernandez who was third in scoring and first in assists last year. The team will have to replace Josselin St. Pierre, who was the league's second most efficient goalie last season with a plethora of candidates including Richard Sillery who was the team's back up last season and went 10-8 between the pipes in his starts.
While the Privateers have retained some of the same crew as their last campaign, they will have a new leader manning the ship as Marc LeFebvre will serve as General Manager and Head Coach for the 2011-12 season. LeFebvre provides the team not only leadership but also experience on the ice as 12 seasons as a professional hockey player all around the world starting off as a member of the Ottawa 67's in the Ontario Hockey League. "We need to be constantly trying to attract better players" says Kirnan. She believes that LeFebvre along with assistant coach Jeff Winchester are trying to assemble the best possible players for the level of hockey and believes that if the team stayed the same as last year they may not have the same results.
This year the Privateers look to not only make the playoffs once again, but bring in new fans and grow the teams fan base. The team's governor Nicole Kirnan is looking to create a culture that provides fans with a fun and family friendly experience so people from the local areas including Fort Drum will be able to enjoy the product on and off the ice. The team was third in attendance last season and Kirnan like most FHL execs believe that marketing to the families and becoming a part of the local fabric will keep the FHL around for a long time and that it is one of the reasons why the league has been able to expand to 8 franchises this coming season.
The goal for this team is a championship. Kirnan makes no bones about it. This team's on the ice goal is to get better and win the second championship. Off the ice, she wants to ingratiate the team into the community so much that people in the community cannot remember a time without the Privateers and make it the face of the community. The team is something that the community looks forward to and according to Kirnan. "The Alex Bay community never talked about the winter. They use to dread the winter." Now it seems that they are ready for the cold to come and the puck to drop.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2011
- 1000 Islands Privateers announce two player signings for the upcoming 2011-2012 season - Watertown Privateers
- Danbury Whalers Weekly - Danbury Whalers
- 1000 Islands Privateers 2011-12 Preview - FPHL
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