Checkers Sign Second Japanese Player - Daisuke Obara
December 11, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Charlotte, NC - Thursday, December 11, 2003) - The Charlotte Checkers announce today the signing of Japanese center Daisuke Obara. The move is announced by Checkers Head Coach & General Manager, Don MacAdam. Obara made his Checkers debut last night in Fresno, California, notching an assist in Charlotte's 4-1 victory over the Falcons. The Checkers are the first-ever North American professional hockey team to have two Japanese players on the roster at the same time. Defenseman Kengo Ito is the other Checkers Japanese player.
Obara comes to the Checkers from the ECHL's Peoria Rivermen, where he played sparingly in four games earlier this season. Prior to making his North American debut this season with Peoria, Obara pl! ayed the past two seasons at Waseda University in Japan. The 21 year old rookie has also played for the Japanese National Team.
"The Head Coach of the Japanese National Team, Glen Williamson, gave Daisuke a good recommendation and says he can play in the ECHL," remarked MacAdam. "I respect Glen's opinion and we expect Obara to do well for us."
The Checkers will try to extend their season-long five-game winning streak Friday night when they'll close out their California road trip in Bakersfield for a 10:00 p.m. ET faceoff with the Condors. The game can be heard over the Internet and on the telephone through TEAMLINE. Fans who desire to listen over the telephone can call "TEAMLINE" TOLLFREE at (800) 847-4600 - CODE # 2820. Fans can log on to the Checkers web site at www.gocheckers.com for connection instructions.
Following the seven-game road trip, the Checkers will finally return to Cricket Arena on Saturday, December 20 to host the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:30 p.m.
CHECKERS TICKETS: All regular season individual game tickets are on sale, and may be purchased at the Cricket Arena Box Office, the Charlott! e Coliseum Box Office, and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be purchased by phone by using a credit card and calling Ticketmaster at (704) 522-6500, and through the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com.
Individual game tickets for the 2003-04 season are priced at $7.00 for balcony seats, $10.00 for end mezzanine seats, $12.00 for side mezzanine seats, $15.00 for circle seats, and $20.00 for box seats.
Season Tickets, mini plans and group tickets remain on sale through the Checkers office. Further information can be obtained by calling the Checkers office at (704) 342-4423.
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