Checkers Home Opener Preview
October 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers begin their 15th Anniversary season this weekend as the team battles the Columbia Inferno on Friday, Oct. 19 and the Texas Wildcatters on Saturday, Oct. 20.
The Checkers finished last season with 42 wins - the second highest win total in the club's 14 year history. The 87 points accumulated last season placed them fourth in the South Division. They went on to be defeated by the Florida Everblades in the Division Quarterfinals.
Returning for his fourth full-season as general manager and head coach of the Checkers will be Derek Wilkinson. He was the first-ever goaltender selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning, who selected him in the seventh round of the 1992 National Hockey League Entry Draft. At 33 years old, he is the second-youngest active head coach in the ECHL. His all time coaching record with Charlotte is 126-101-19 and last year he led the team to a 42-27-3 finish which was the second-most wins in team history. Wilkinson has driven the Checkers to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of his first three seasons as head coach.
The Checkers have named Blake Bellefeuille captain for the 2007-08 season. The Framingham, Mass. native played 68 games last season for Charlotte scoring 29 goals and 35 assists for 64 points. Those numbers made him a valuable asset to the club; however, general manager and head coach, Derek Wilkinson, said Bellefeuille's leadership is the key to the team's success, "Blake is our veteran leader and among the Checkers most reliable players. He will continue to help the coaching staff during the season." Bellefeuille spent the last two seasons in Charlotte while splitting time in the American Hockey League with both the Philadelphia Phantoms and Hartford Wolf Pack. He played five games for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League from 2001-03. The team also named defenseman Kenton Smith and forward Lee Falardeau as assistant captains.
The Checkers and the Inferno will meet 10 times during the season. Charlotte holds a slight advantage in all-time meetings with a record of 22-20-3. The ECHL and Checkers also announced that ECHL Commissioner Emeritus Patrick J. Kelly will be in attendance during the game.
Friday night will also mark Domestic Violence Cell Phone Collection Night sponsored by SunCom Wireless. Fans who bring used cell phones to the season opener on Friday will receive a free ticket to a future Checkers game courtesy of SunCom Wireless. With a donated phone, a domestic violence victim (or a potential victim) can call 911 in an emergency situation.
The home opener will also serve as a fundraiser for families of the victims of the Moe's shooting earlier this month. The Checkers will donate a portion of the proceeds from opening night ticket sales to the Moe's Victims Memorial Fund. To purchase tickets, please go to www.gocheckers.com and click on the "group ticket/promo code" box on the main page. You will be directed to the Ticketmaster Monthly Calendar. By selecting the game on Oct. 19 against the Columbia Inferno and entering the code "MOES" in the box labeled "promotions and special offers," half of your ticket price will go to help the victims' families of this tragic event. You may also purchase tickets by calling 800-495-2295 and be sure to mention the Moe's code at the beginning of the call.
The Checkers enter their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL on Oct. 19 against the Columbia Inferno. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers will enter their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena this fall. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $399. The Checkers are accepting deposits on all ticket packages. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.
ECHL Stories from October 17, 2007
- 2007-08 Thunder Season Opening Roster Announced - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Inferno set final roster - Columbia Inferno
- Salmon Kings Finalize Roster - Victoria Salmon Kings
- 2007-2008 Jackals Take Shape As Regular Season Roster Is Finalized - Elmira Jackals
- Inferno receive Perry - Columbia Inferno
- Steelheads Announce Opening Day Roster - Idaho Steelheads
- Michael, LeVine Broadcast Opening Day For B2 Networks - ECHL
- Opening Day Fans Given Opportunity To Have New ECHL Book Autographed By Founding Fathers - ECHL
- Rep's to Host Falcons Road Broadcasts and First Installment of Fresno Sports Weekly - Fresno Falcons
- Checkers Home Opener Preview - Charlotte Checkers
- Cyclones Waive Rogers, Place Perkins on Injured Reserve - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Sea Wolves Get Rosehill, Elliott, Smolenak, And Angel - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- 'Blades score big in league wide ticket sales contest - Florida Everblades
- League-Wide Season Ticket Sales Contest A Success - ECHL
- Gladiators Trade LeClerc to Trenton - Atlanta Gladiators
- Trenton Devils re-acquire D-man LeClerc - Trenton Devils
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