Condors Newsletter
August 23, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
Queen Victoria Highlights Fun Nights
Queen Victoria, the world famous Condor, will return to Condorstown on Opening Night, Friday Oct. 18 as part of Angry Birds Night. It's just one of many great, family fun nights at the rink this season which also includes an appearance from One Direction! (sort of)
The first 2,000 kids, 12 and under, who come see Queen Victoria's encore on Opening Night will receive Angry Birds plush hats! Then on Friday Oct. 25,the first 2,000 kids under the age of 12, will receive One Direction standees to place around the house. In addition to these giveaways, Fans who are in attendance when One Direction comes to town will have the opportunity to win one of 20 life-size standee cutouts of the boy band!
Kids will get the chance to leave the confines of their classroom for the annual Field Trip/Education Day game on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. The annual event will draw in kids of all ages with school-themed games, an educational booklet to take home, and a healthy lunch for the students.
Other early fun nights in Condorstown are, but not limited to: Star Wars Night, Civil War Jerseys Off Our Backs, Team Poster Giveaway, and crowd favorite Teddy Bear Toss!
It's a Whole New World
New Head Coach Troy Mann has settled into Condorstown, completing his relocation from back east. The trip was quick and painless for Mann's wife and daughter. "They held up really well, because they flew in Tuesday night. I got the raw end of the deal with the dog," said Mann jokingly.
Confined to his car and various hotels for his three-day trip, Mann is happy to officially call Bakersfield home. Moving from a townhouse in Hershey, the Mann family is happy to have a house with a fenced in backyard for the dog and a play area for their daughter.
"I've got a lot of good vibes from the community in terms of being supportive of the hockey team and I think that's the number one thing you want in a community," Mann said. "When you're living the game you really don't think about the extras a city may bring to you, but I'm sure we'll have a chance to explore Bakersfield as time goes on."
Website Gets a New Look
The Condors have a new website design courtesy of iSportsMedia. Three of the four finalists last season for ECHL website of the year were products of iSportsMedia. The new polished look went live the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 7, so go check it out and tell us what you think!
Down to the Wire
The season is fast approaching and the "Big Three" (Mann, Assistant Coach Ryan Murphy, and GM John Olver) are going at it hard in the dungeons of Rabobank Arena. As it stands, most of the roster is solidified but there are still a number of positions that need to be filled.
"There are still a number of players out there who feel they're going to be playing in the American Hockey League come October, so you want to save that salary cap space for maybe a real good player or two that comes along between now and training camp," Mann said. "Hopefully we'll be able to lock down a couple of those prospects in the next couple weeks or so and then we'll be done with our roster," Murphy added.
With player recruitment largely out of the way, more focus is being put into preparing for player arrivals and training camp.
"We're going to start to put together what our system is going to look like and how our video is going to be done," Murphy said. "Individual breakdown and analysis is going to be important here."
Along with preparing the system, the coaching staff and Olver have to take care of some of the less glamorous things.
"We have to get the guys' housing and places set up around the town. All the immigration that goes along with it, we have a number of Canadian guys coming over... all those little things add up," Murphy said.
"Even though there is still a lot of work to be done, we're optimistic and excited about the upcoming season," Olver said. Trend Setters in Condorstown The Condors unveiled the "greatest jerseys in the world" on July 31 with the help of Andrew Ianiero, Paul Willett and Brett Lutes. The trio showed off the black and white jerseys that the Condors will wear on the ice this year and the ones fans have an opportunity to pre-order. Fans interested in buying a jersey can visit http://bakersfieldcondors.com/shop/ and put an order in for these one of a kind jerseys.
Get In the Hottest Club in Town
The Condors Kids Club is back for another season and kids 12 and under can get in for just $10! By getting into the Condors Kids Club, kids will receive an official ID badge, FREE admission to the Kids Zone all season long, exclusive gifts (jersey drawstring bag), an exclusive party with the players, and FREE executive level tickets to six different Condors game!
The games include:
Sat, Nov. 9 (Star Wars Night / Backpack Clip Giveaway),
Sat, Dec. 14 (Mohawk Giveaway)
Sat, Jan. 11 (Dodgers vs. Giants Micro Pillow Pet Giveaway)
Sat, Feb. 22 (Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon / Jersey off Our Backs)
Fri, Mar. 14 (ZOOperstars)
Sun, Apr. 6 (Skate with the Condors)
Parents can save money too with a Condors Kids Club Ticket Plan. Call 324-PUCK (7825) for more information. Save Money and Pick Your Games Want the flexibility of a flex plan but the exclusivity of being a season ticket holder? We have the deal for you! Hop on to our corporate flex club and you'll receive 72 personalized ticket vouchers that can be redeemed at any regular season home game, guaranteed seating availability, your own personal ticket consultant, the same benefits of season ticket holders, access to the Condors Club Room, and free VIP parking!
With big savings off of box office prices you will not want to miss out on this opportunity! Check out the plan here. Melo's Gas and Gear: Sponsor Spotlight
Here at the Condors we would like to show our support for one of our sponsors since 2006, Melo's Gas and Gear. Melo's is a manufacturer's authorized equipment repair facilities in Bakersfield and Fresno for most major welding and cutting machines. Melo's also has locations in Delano and Taft. During the game Melo's sponsors the first period and the Condors blimp, which dangles off coupons to eager fans.
"Bakersfield has been very supportive of our business, and we appreciate the support we receive from Condors Fans. We also greatly appreciate the support the Condors give our community. Plus, our business partners love to use our Condors tickets."
- David Melo, Melo's Gas and Gear
You can visit the Melo's Gas and Gear website by clicking here. Getting to Know the D-Line: Kyle Haines
Kyle Haines will return for the 2013-14 season and he will bring the tools that made him a top Condors defensemen from a year ago. In case you forgot or did not know, here are some facts about "Hainesy":
Grew up in a town of 200 people. Most memorable hockey experience is winning gold in the 2006 World Jr. A Challenge. Favorite cartoon character is Foghorn Leghorn. Favorite sport to play other than hockey is tennis. If he could meet anyone, dead or alive, he would want to meet Wayne Gretzky and Steve Jobs. Spends the off-season training and traveling. Favorite past job, other than hockey, was working as a personal trainer. Other than US/CAN, Haines would like to live in Italy.
Birthdays in Condorstown
- August 18, Eric Neilson (2005-06)
- August 25, Connor James (2004-05)
- August 26, Andrew Oke (2006-07)
- August 31, Scott Borders (2005-07)
- September 3, Troy Mann (Head Coach) - September 7, Sasha Lakovic (2001-02) - September 12, Shawn Byram (2002-03)
ECHL Stories from August 23, 2013
- Schneekloth Moves from Ice to Bench - Colorado Eagles
- Condors Newsletter - Bakersfield Condors
- Forward Chris Langkow Returns to the Lowcountry - South Carolina Stingrays
- K-Wings Sign Three - Kalamazoo Wings
- WesBanco Renews Naming Rights Agreement for the WesBanco Arena - Wheeling Nailers
- Flanigan Marks Nailers' Tenth Summer Signing - Wheeling Nailers
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.
