Falcons to Retire Mathers' Number on Opening Night
July 8, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, CALIF. - The Fresno Falcons announced today that they will retire jersey number 7 on opening night in honor of Mike Mathers.
Mathers passed away at his home near Edmonton, Alberta on June 1 at the age of 35. He played with the Falcons from 1996 through 2004 and is the club's all-time leader in games played (379), goals (143), and shorthanded goals (12). Additionally, he ranks second all-time in assists (189) and points (347), while he is tied for first in power-play goals (44).
Opening Night features a celebration of youth hockey. The Falcons will wear special opening night jerseys, marking their return to Selland Arena for the first time since the 2002-03 season. The jerseys will be auctioned off in a post-game jersey auction, with proceeds to benefit the Fresno Junior Hockey Club.
The Falcons will also welcome back players from the past for an "All Falcons Hockey Reunion." Players will be recognized on the ice prior to the game, and will be available for autographs throughout the night.
Opening Night 2008 at Selland Arena is set for Friday, October 24, when the Falcons host their arch-rivals, the Bakersfield Condors, at 7:35 p.m.
Season Ticket packages start at just $432, and are now available by calling the Falcons at (559) 485-7825.
Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier âAA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 828 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.
The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.
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ECHL Stories from July 8, 2008
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- Falcons to Retire Mathers' Number on Opening Night - Fresno Falcons
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