Cast Your Pirates Hall of Fame Ballot Today

Published on February 17, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, Maine - The Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League announced today the three players that will be included on the ballot for induction into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame, presented by UNUM. Patrick Boileau, Jason Christie and Martin Gendron are all eligible for induction in 2010. Voting is now open and will run until March 4th for fans to select the nominee they think should be inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame, presented by UNUM.

"These three former teammates all played an important role in the early years of the Pirates and helped the team to the Calder Cup Finals in 1995-96," said Brian Petrovek, the Pirates Managing Owner/CEO. "All three were dynamic offensive performers and impact players who excelled during their tenure with the Pirates."

The Portland Pirates Hall of Fame, presented by Unum, was founded in 1999 as a way to honor those players and coaches and other individuals who had played a significant role in Pirates' history.

Andrew Brunette, Byron Dafoe and Olaf Kolzig were the charter members of the Hall of Fame in 1999. In the years since Kevin Kaminski, Steve Poapst, Kent Hulst, Martin Brochu, Ryan Mulhern, Barry Trotz, Todd Nelson, Jim Carey, Tom Ebright and Chris Jensen have joined the elite list of Pirates Hall of Fame members.

In order for a player, coach or individual to be eligible, he must have taken part in at least 40 Pirates' games and, at the time of his induction, been at least one year removed from the club and be retired from playing the game of hockey (eligibility criteria revised July 1, 2004).

The 2010 Nominees:

Patrick Boileau - (1995-02) GP 459, G 63, A 143, P 206

Patrick Boileau was a dynamic offensive defenseman who maintained consistent numbers throughout his career. A strong leader on the ice, Boileau helped lead the Pirates to the Calder Cup playoffs in five of the seven seasons that he was in Portland. Boileau is found throughout the Pirates record book in various offensive categories, and still holds the record for most goals by a defenseman with 17 during the 2001-02 season. He currently ranks 2nd in all-time games played in Pirates history with 459, 5th in points with 206, 6th in assists with 143, and 12th in goals with 63. He was selected 69th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and spent parts of five seasons in the NHL (Washington 1996-97, 98-99, 01-02; Detroit 2002-03; Pittsburgh 2003-04) playing in 48 games with 16 points (5-11-16).

Jason Christie - (1994-98) GP 177, G 33, A 76, P 109, PIM 270

A high energy leader on the ice, Jason Christie was the epitome of a player's player. Arriving in Portland a year after the Calder Cup winning season of 1993-94, Christie instilled a tough presence on the team along with providing solid offensive production. His best year with the Pirates came in 1994-95 where he racked up 60 points (20-40-60) in 71 games while compiling 130 penalty minutes. In perhaps his best all-around season in Portland, Christie led the Pirates to the Calder Cup Finals in Rochester in 1995-96 with a strong postseason. In 23 playoff games, he tallied 16 points (6-10-16) in 23 games with 49 penalty minutes. Jason Christie's playing career concluded with the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL in 1999-00. After his playing career ended, he instantly entered the coaching realm as head coach of Peoria (2000-05) and the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL (2005-08), assistant coach of the AHL's Chicago Wolves (2008-10), and currently is head coach of the CHL's Bloomington PrairieThunder.

Martin Gendron - (1994-96) GP 120, G 74, A 61, P 135

Martin Gendron made a strong impression on Portland hockey in a short period in which he donned a Pirates jersey. Playing only two seasons in Portland (1994-95, 95-96), Gendron put up impressive numbers that have held solid in the Pirates record book even against players that have suited up for more seasons. In only 120 total games played with the Pirates, he racked up 74 goals (7th all-time in Pirates history), 61 assists, and 135 points. Gendron still holds (or shares) three separate offensive records for the Pirates which include: all-time hat tricks (5), power play goals in a season (15, 1995-96), and goals in a single game (4, 3/29/96 vs. St. John). Drafted with the 71st overall pick in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, Gendron suited up in 30 NHL games with the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks totaling six points (4-2-6).

To cast your vote for one of this year's nominees visit portlandpirates.com. Ballots will also be available at the Customer Service table located in the main lobby during home games. Results will be tabulated, and the newest inductee will be honored in an on-ice ceremony on Saturday, March 26, 2011 during the 7 p.m. game against the Charlotte Checkers. Voting will conclude on Friday, March 4, 2011.

Portland Pirates Hall of Fame presented by Unum:

1999 Andrew Brunette, Byron Dafoe, Olaf Kolzig

2000 Kevin Kaminski

2001 Steve Poapst

2002 Kent Hulst

2003 Martin Brochu

2004 Ryan Mulhern

2005 Barry Trotz

2006 Todd Nelson

2007 Jim Carey

2008 Tom Ebright

2009 Chris Jensen

Friday night the Pirates will be back in action as they travel to the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence to face-off against the Bruins at 7:05 p.m. The Pirates will continue on the road the following night when they head to Manchester for a Saturday night, 7:00 p.m. showdown with the first-place Monarchs. Both games can be heard live on 95.5 News Talk WLOB or on-line at portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

The Pirates return to the Civic Center on Monday at 1:00 p.m. for a special President's Day matinee against the Connecticut Whale. L.L. Bean will be donating 1,000 tickets to area youth groups and organizations. To find out more information on how your youth group can be a part of L.L. Bean Kid's Day, contact Todd Jamison, Portland Pirates Director of Corporate Sales at 207-828-4665 ext. 377. Fans are also encouraged to bring their skates and stick around after the game to skate with their favorite members of the Pirates and mascots in a post game skate presented by Mercy Hospital and Steele Hill Resorts. All NextGen Pirates Kid's Club Members receive FREE tickets to the game, and can take part in special activities for NextGen Kid's Club Members only. Tickets for the game, as well as each of the remaining Pirates home games, are on sale now by calling 207-775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2011


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