Arizona Sundogs Weekly
January 17, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
The Arizona Sundogs Hockey Club has reached the halfway point of its Inaugural Season and things couldn't be better.
In the past, expansion teams in any pro sport seem to struggle trying to find their way. That hasn't been the case for the Arizona Sundogs. In easily the most contested division in the Central Hockey League, the Sundogs have seen themselves atop the leaderboard and at current time are tied for third place just three points back of first place Amarillo. Coming into the CHL All-Star break, Arizona plays host to a 16-15-1 record for a total of 33 points.
The expansion club has seen its players travel to and from the Colorado Avalanche American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Albany River Rats on numerous occasions. Currently, Arizona has two players skating for Albany in defenseman Michael Vernace and forward Dan DaSilva. Other players that have seen time with Albany include Ryan Steeves, Kris Mayotte and David Svagrovsky.
Outside of hockey, the franchise is seeing success as well. The Sundogs currently rank fourth in the CHL in percentage of attendance with an average of 4,146 fans per game. The demand for Sundogs merchandise has pushed the Arizona club into second place in merchandise sales. From ownership to players to coaching and front office staff, the Arizona Sundogs would like to thank the fans for their unwavering support through the first half of the season. As we strive for continued success through the second half, we invite you to continue to be the best fans in all of the CHL as we push toward our first-ever postseason! GO SUNDOGS!
Sundogs' Michael Vernace and Dan DaSilva Recalled to Albany River Rats (AHL)
The Arizona Sundogs' Michael Vernace and Dan DaSilva have been recalled to the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. DaSilva had nine goals and 13 assists with 10 penalty minutes in 14 games with Arizona with this season. In 14 games with Albany, DaSilva has collected one goal and one assist with 20 penalty minutes.
Defenseman Michael Vernace has been in Albany since December 28 tallying one goal, six assists and four penalty minutes in nine games. In 24 games with Arizona, Vernace notched 3 goals and 11 assists and was among rookie league leaders before being called up. Click the Team Store Logo Below to Visit the Online Team Store for Tickets& Merchandise
Sundogs Raise $28,000 for Charity in Christmas Jersey Auction
The Arizona Sundogs and The Arizona Sundogs Foundation in their second-ever jersey auction raised $28,000 for charity. The live auction held immediately following the December 23 game against the New Mexico Scorpions saw jerseys going for as much as $4,000 each. The live post-game jersey auction saw roughly 200 fans stay after the game to bid on their favorite players' jerseys.
"Our expectations for the Christmas jersey auction were overwhelmingly exceeded," said Sundogs Vice President Brent Thiessen. "The support of our players shown by the fans is outstanding. The jersey auctions not only show the Arizona Sundogs' commitment to Northern Arizona and the surrounding communities but also demonstrate the fans' desire to make Northern Arizona a better place to live."
During the first intermission of the December 23 game, The Arizona Sundogs Foundation made six donations of $1,000 each to six local non-profit agencies to mark the start of the Arizona Sundogs Team Up For Hope campaign. Non-profit agencies receiving donations included Yavapai Food Bank, Stepping Stones Agencies, the United Way of Yavapai County, Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arizona and the Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity. In total, the Arizona Sundogs and The Arizona Sundogs Foundation have raised $34,000 for charity in two jersey auctions to date. The Sundogs plan to wear specialty jerseys two more times before season's end.
Individual Tickets on Sale Now
Individual game tickets to all regular-season Arizona Sundogs games are on sale now! To purchase single game tickets, visit www.GetTix.net, call 1-866-4-GETTIX (1-866-443-8849), or stop by the Tim's Toyota Center box office at 3201 N. Main St. in Prescott Valley. There is no limit to the number of tickets fans may purchase, but fans interested in more than 20 tickets to any one game should speak with an Arizona Sundogs account executive regarding group discounts. For more information, please call (928) 772-5555 or visit www.arizonasundogs.com.
Kelly to Start in 2007 Dodge CHL All-Star Game in Bossier City
The Arizona Sundogs are pleased to announce that CHL- leading goal scorer Brent Kelly will start in the 2007 Dodge CHL All-Star Game tonight in Bossier City, Louisiana. Kelly was the leading vote getter for the Southern Conference, appearing on 25 of 27 ballots completed by Head Coaches, Communications Department and Local Media. Kelly ranks third in the CHL in scoring with 51 points. His 24 goals are good enough for first in the league while his 27 assists rank fifth. The Kitchener, Ontario native ranks second in the CHL in game-winning goals with five. Kelly sits atop the Sundogs leader board in a number of categories as well including goals (24), assists (27), short-handed goals (3) and shots (158).
Sundogs Ticket Mini Plans Available Now
The Arizona Sundogs have introduced two ticket mini- plans, the Division Rivals Packand the Push for the Playoffs plan. There's just days left to purchase so don't miss your chance!
The Division Rivals Packconsists of three games in the month of January:
- Jan. 21 vs. Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Jan. 23 vs. New Mexico Scorpions
- Jan. 31 vs. Amarillo Gorillas
Prices for the Division Rivals Packstart at just $35 per seat for all three games. - End Section - $35 per seat (all three games)
- Corner Section - $46
- Prime Section - $63
- Rinkside Section - $72
As a benefit of purchasing the Division Rivals Pack fans will receive a large t-shirt and an authentic player-autographed Sundogs puck. The Push for the Playoffs plan includes 12 games for the price of 11 during the second half of the season as the Sundogs push for their first-ever post-season:
- Jan. 20 vs. Lubbock Cotton Kings - Feb. 23 vs. Colorado Eagles
- Jan. 26 vs. Amarillo Gorillas - Feb. 24 vs. Colorado Eagles
- Feb. 2 vs. Laredo Bucks - Mar. 16 vs. Corpus Christi Rayz
- Feb. 14 vs. Amarillo Gorillas - Mar. 17 vs. Corpus Christi Rayz
- Feb. 16 vs. Odessa Jackalopes - Mar. 23 vs. Rocky Mountain Rage
- Feb. 17 vs. Odessa Jackalopes - Mar. 24 vs. Colorado Eagles
Prices for the Push for the Playoffs start at just $130 per seat for all 12 games.
- End Section - $130 per seat (all 12 games)
- Corner Section - $175
- Prime Section - $240
- Rinkside Section - $275
Included with purchase of the Push for the Playoffs plan is the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets before they go on sale to the general public (same seats not guaranteed). For more information call the Arizona Sundogs at (928) 772-5555. Don't miss out! Get yours today!
Corporate Partner Highlight - Fast Frame
Fast Frame is the Official Framer of the Arizona Sundogs. Ask them about their commemorative Sundogs memorabilia or bring them your Sundogs collection and they will frame it for you! Receive 15% off framing on all team memorabilia purchased the Sundogs Team Store. Fast Frame is located in the Depot Marketplace near Albertsons on Sheldon St. in Prescott. Call them at 928-771-8196 or visit them at www.fastframeofprescott.com for other savings.
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Central Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2007
- Bucks Pace Southern In 2007 CHL All-Star Game - Laredo Bucks
- Northern All-Stars Win in Third Period Rally - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Sundogs' Kelly Tallies Two Assists for Southern Conference in 9-6 Loss - Arizona Sundogs
- VandenBussche announces retirement - New Mexico Scorpions
- Susan G Komen Foundation to be featured non-profit Saturday - Mississippi RiverKings
- Arizona Sundogs Weekly - Arizona Sundogs
- Rocky Mountain Rage and Broomfield Event Center Selected to Host 2008 CHL All-Star Game - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Gorillas weekly - Amarillo Gorillas
- Gorillas trade Hughes to Colorado - Amarillo Gorillas
- Listen To 2007 CHL All-Star Game On 1490 AM Tonight - Laredo Bucks
- Ice Bats Refocus After All-Star Break - Austin Ice Bats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
