Falcons Conclude 2010 in Glens Falls

Published on December 31, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


The Springfield Falcons play their final game of 2010 in Glens Falls, NY on Friday afternoon starting at 3 pm when they take on the Adirondack Phantoms. The Falcons have earned a point in four of their last five games going 3-1-0-1 in that span. Springfield will face a Phantoms team that is 7-25-2-0 this season, but they are 3-2 in their last five games.

As we get ready to break in 2011, now would be a good time to recap the top 5 stories involving the Falcons in 2010:

5. FALCONS HELP RAISE $27,000 FOR MARY KAY FOUNDATION - The Springfield Falcons helped produce one of the top fundraisers for the Mary Kay Foundation in 2010. Listed below is the article that appeared highlighting the event:

Last year, Independent National Sales Director Cyndee Gress stated that "a spark had started" at the Gress National Area inaugural Pink in the RinkSM, and their next event would "explode into a blaze." Her prediction was spot on.

Exhilaration burst in an arena that was "pinked" to the max for the 2nd Annual Pink in the RinkSM, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., on March 6, 2010. The partnership effort with the Springfield Falcons hockey team raised a phenomenal $27,000 for The Mary Kay FoundationSM-more than doubling the amount raised last year and making it the top fundraiser for Seminar year 2009-2010!

Falcons skated in pink jerseys, which were auctioned off post-game, the staff donned pink ties, and fans wore pink while waving custom-made pink foam fingers. A Mary Kay pink Cadillac and a pink Cadillac convertible bordered the arena entrance.

4. FALCONS HONORED BY THE MARCH OF DIMES - The Springfield Falcons announced in September of 2010 that team President/General Manager Bruce Landon and the Falcons were going to be honored with the Charitable Leadership Award at the annual March of Dimes' Signature Chefs Auction on Monday, November 1, 2010 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

The Springfield Falcons Hockey Club and their related charitable organization, Springfield Falcons Charities, are proud to announce that in the 15-year existence of the charitable foundation, more than $400,000 has been donated to charitable organizations throughout the Pioneer Valley and Northern Connecticut.

Springfield Falcons Charities is an IRS approved 509 (a) (1) charity, which was established on July 14, 1995. The charity has hosted an annual Columbus Day Italian Open Golf Tournament, Falcons Family Carnivals, Jersey Auctions, Memorabilia Auctions, and softball tournaments to raise funds over the years.

A few of the organizations that have benefited from Falcons Charities include: Shriners Hospital for Children - Springfield, Springfield Sliders Sled Hockey Program, Springfield School Volunteers - Time Out for Reading Program, New England Junior Falcons Hockey Program, YMCA, Community Health Resources, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity; Gray House, Community Foundation of WMASS, Griffin's Friends, Hampden County Sheriffs Scholarships, Action Center Tutoring Services, and the Baystate Health Foundation.

The Falcons Charities have also has established a scholarship program, which is given to a high school senior, in honor of former Falcons captain Rob Murray. Murray is the only Falcons player to have his number retired by the organization. Falcons Charities also distribute thousands of tickets, food and toys to area organizations through their Falcons Friends, Dunkin Donuts Kids Zone, and various collection programs.

3. FALCONS HONOR THE INDIANS DURING AHL'S 75TH CELEBRATION WEEKEND - As part of their annual summer barbeque exclusively for ticket package holders and corporate partners, the Springfield Falcons unveiled the special throwback jersey they wore in their first two regular season games on Friday, October 8 at Providence and Saturday, October 9 at home against Providence. The special jersey unveiled payed homage to the 1936 Springfield Indians and was highlighted during the American Hockey League's 75th Anniversary weekend.

2. FALCONS PARTNER WITH NHL'S COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS - The Springfield Falcons announced in March of 2010 they signed a one-year affiliation agreement with a one-year option with the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets. The new partnership featured the Blue Jackets' top prospects playing in Springfield for the 2010-11 campaign.

"We are excited about this new agreement with Columbus," said Falcons President and General Manager Bruce Landon back in March. "They are excited about a number of the young prospects they currently have under contract and others that they hope to sign over the next few months. In addition, they believe in adding the right number of veterans to provide leadership and help create a winning environment."

The Blue Jackets feature four-time NHL All-Star Rick Nash and 2009 NHL Rookie of the Year goaltender Steve Mason. Nash was also the 2004 winner of the Maurice ‘Rocket' Richard Award given annually to the NHL's leading goal scorer during the regular season. Nash also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

"The Blue Jackets organization is proud to have the Springfield Falcons as our top affiliate beginning in 2010-11 and joining a market that has been a part of the AHL's rich tradition for many years," said Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris MacFarland, who will oversee the club's hockey operations for the Blue Jackets. "We are looking forward to having our young players continue to develop and putting a premier product on the ice for the fans in Springfield."

1. FALCONS ANNOUNCE NEW OWNERSHIP - The Springfield Falcons announced on December 21, 2010 that Springfield Pro Hockey, LLC was purchased by a new local ownership called Falcons Hockey Entertainment, LLC. The transfer of ownership was unanimously approved by the AHL's Board of Governors. The new ownership group consists of majority owner Charlie Pompea, along with minority owner Bruce Landon.

The Falcons also announced that they extended their affiliation agreement with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets and extended their lease with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

"I am very honored to join the very long tradition of professional hockey here in Springfield," said Pompea.

"I have met many of the players over the years while participating in the Springfield Falcons annual golf outing to benefit the Shriners Hospital and other charities. I have always been impressed by the team's outstanding involvement in the local community.

"As we move forward, our intention is to keep hockey here in Springfield and provide a consistency of an NHL affiliation. We also want to provide our fans with aggressive, entertaining and winning hockey. I realize that our record on the ice has not been very impressive over the last several years, but we have been assured by the management of the Columbus Blue Jackets that they will do their very best to provide us with players that will help us bring winning hockey to Springfield.

"We want to thank the business community and the fans for their excellent support and patience as we look forward to their continued loyalty. What we need now is to put more fans in the seats and be that extra player that will help us bring the Calder Cup back where it belongs."

Since 1994, the Falcons have brought enjoyment to growing numbers of fans throughout Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. The Falcons are currently in their 17th American Hockey League season.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2010


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