Bears Gear Up for Syracuse
October 7, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
Last Week: The BEARS played a three game exhibition schedule over the weekend to put the wraps on the team's 66th training camp. Friday night, HERSHEY traveled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and lost in preseason action 3-2 against the Penguins. Jordan Krestanovich and Agris Saviels scored goals for HERSHEY, while Peter Budaj allowed just one goal on 18 Penguin shots. The BEARS did not dress Brett Clark, Marc Busenburg, Travis Brigley, and Steve Brule for the contest. Saturday night, the BEARS played the first ever AHL exhibition game in GIANT Center history and lost to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3-1. Mark Jerant scored the lone goal for HERSHEY in the defeat, and Peter Budaj made 46 saves to earn the game's second star. Sunday night, the BEARS won its final game of the preseason, downing the Binghamton Senators 2-0 at GIANT Center. Goaltender Tom Lawson closed out the exhibition season in style by earning the shutout, while Steve Moore and Rob Voltera both scored power play goals in the first period to pace the offense.
Notables: The BEARS and Colorado jointly announced Sunday afternoon that defenseman D.J. Smith has been assigned to HERSHEY. The assignment gives the BEARS seven veteran status players on the 2003-04 roster; however forward Brad Larsen is currently out of action with an injury. Following Sunday's exhibition game with Binghamton, President/General Manager Doug Yingst announced that four players had been reassigned from HERSHEY to other minor league camps. The BEARS re-assigned left wing Jean-Francois Soucy, center Ryan Craig, left wing Lanny Gare and defenseman Gerard Dicaire. With the cuts on Sunday, HERSHEY'S roster stands at 25. The 2003-04 AHL season kicks off this Wednesday as the Norfolk Admirals travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to take on the Penguins in an East Division battle. Today is an off day for the BEARS, but they will be participating in the 1st Annual HERSHEY BEARS Golf Classic at Fairview Golf Course in Lebanon in a charity event. Proceeds from the event will go to Shalom House, a homeless shelter for women and children in Harrisburg. Along with over 100 fans who signed up to play in the event, local media celebrities will also be in attendance. The scheduled to appear list includes WGAL's Pat Principe, FOX 43 sports anchor Tom Werme, Tim Leone from the Patriot-News, Dan Steele from BIG 92.7 FM, and Dennis Mitchell from Cat Country 106.7 FM. The BEARS will resume practice on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday's season opener at Syracuse. Colorado Avalanche Vice President of Player Personnel Michel Goulet and Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Jay Feaster were both in attendance at Sunday's exhibition game at GIANT Center.
Colorado Update: The Avalanche announced it's 23-man roster Sunday night in preparation for the club's 2003-04 regular season opener on Friday night against Chicago. Included on the Colorado roster are four rookies. Forward Marek Svatos earned his way onto the roster after a solid preseason with the Avs, as did defenseman John-Michael Liles, forward Cody McCormick, and goaltender Phil Sauve. The Avalanche will hold a ceremony before the game at Pepsi Center Friday to honor the club's ninth consecutive division title. Colorado begins the 2003-04 season with seven former HERSHEY players on its roster. They are goaltender David Aebischer, right wing Dan Hinote, left wing Alex Tanguay, defenseman John-Michael Liles, goaltender Phil Sauve, center Riku Hahl, and right wing Marek Svatos. After opening with the Blackhawks this Friday, the Avalanche will play Sunday night against the St. Louis Blues at Pepsi Center. Both games can be seen on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Upcoming promotions: The BEARS open up the 2003-04 home schedule with a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday, October 18. Opening night festivities include a giveaway of ticket holder lanyards to the first 10,500 fans courtesy of GIANT Foods, and an appearance by Arnold, the Nickelodeon character from the cartoon "Hey Arnold". Arnold appears courtesy of Comcast. Saturday, October 25 is PNC Bank Magnetic Schedule night at GIANT Center when the BEARS take on the Rochester Americans at 7:00 p.m. The first 8,000 fans will receive of 2003-04 HERSHEY BEARS magnetic schedule courtesy of PNC Bank. October 25th is also Hawaiian night, with special prizes for the best Luau attire.
Practice Schedule (Subject to Change):
Monday, October 6:
Off Day (HERSHEY BEARS Golf Classic at Fairview Golf Course)
Tuesday, October 7:
Practice-GIANT Center: 10:00 a.m. (Media headshots at 9:00 a.m)
Wednesday, October 8:
Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena: 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 9:
Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena: 10:00 a.m.
Friday, October 10:
Practice-HERSHEYPARK Arena: 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, October 11:
Pre-game skate 10:00 a.m. HPA, Bus to Syracuse, Game at 7:30
Sunday, October 12:
Off Day
American Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2003
- Rivermen Add All-Star Rennette, Defenseman Durak to Training Camp - Peoria Rivermen
- Monarchs Opening Night Roster Includes 22 Players - Manchester Monarchs
- Kings Set Roster - Manchester Monarchs
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Portland Pirates Weekly Report - Portland Pirates
- Coyotes Assign Taft to Springfield - Springfield Falcons
- McDonell Assigned To Syracuse -- Crunch Release Johnston - Syracuse Crunch
- P-Bruins release regular season roster - Providence Bruins
- Wolves, Thrashers make moves - Chicago Wolves
- Plekanec and Svitov Added to Bulldogs Roster - Hamilton Bulldogs
- B-Sens Roster Takes Shape - Binghamton Senators
- Defenseman David Koci Suspended for Tomorrow Night's Season Opener Versus Norfolk - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Q&A with AHL President Dave Andrews - AHL
- Phantoms announce 2003-04 roster - Adirondack Phantoms
- 2003-04 AHL season preview - AHL
- IceCats Announce 10th Anniversary Team - Worcester IceCats
- Griffins Cut Five - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Balan Assigned to ECHL, Germyn Inked to ATO - Norfolk Admirals
- St. John's Maple Leafs' Announce Opening Week Promotions - Toronto Marlies
- Ben Guite Returns To Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bears Gear Up for Syracuse - Hershey Bears
- Wolf Pack Enter Partnership with Comcast - Connecticut Whale
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