Defending Champs Open Their Title Defense
October 11, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. â The Taylor Cup Champion Fresno Falcons will officially open defense of their title when they hit the ice for the first time in the 2002-2003 season against the Bakersfield Condors Saturday night at Bakersfield's Centennial Garden. The two teams are scheduled to drop the puck on the new season at 7 p.m.
The Falcons also named their captains for the upcoming campaign. Jason Weaver, who will begin his second season with the Falcons, will be the team' s Captain. He will be only the fourth player to ever wear the "C" for the Falcons. Others who have received the honor are recently retired Assistant Coach Greg Spenrath (1995-97, 1998-00) and former Falcons Craig Lyons (1997-98) and Darren Wetherill (2000-02). Weaver scored 57 points (22g-35a) in only 43 games last season while netting 14 points (6g-8a) during the team 's run to the Taylor Cup. Joe Frederick and Drew Schoneck will be the Assistant Captains for this year's squad. For Frederick, this will be his second season as an Assistant Captain while it is Schoneck's first.
In other moves, the team announced the signing of their all-time leading scorer, Assistant Coach Glen Gulutzan, to a player contract. In 296 career games with the Falcons, Gulutzan has scored 372 points (127g-245a). To make room for Gulutzan on the roster, the team placed seven-year veteran Mike Mathers on the 14-day injured reserve. Mathers is suffering from an injured shoulder.
Saturday's game with the Condors will be broadcast live on KAAT 103.1 FM, The Mountain Cat, with WCHL Broadcaster of the Year Brian Clark behind the microphone. The broadcast will kick off with the Mail Boxes Etc. Pregame Show at 6:50 p.m.
The defending Taylor Cup Champions' home opener for the 2002-2003 campaign is on Oct. 18 in a Taylor Cup Finals re-match with the Idaho Steelheads. Single-game tickets are on sale now and season ticket packages are still available for as little as $100. Call the Falcons offices at 485-PUCK (7825) for more information.
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