Fighting Falcons to Return to Port Huron
February 14, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Fighting Falcons of the North American Hockey League today announced that they will return to McMorran Arena for the 2011-12 season. The expansion team is currently in their first season in the NAHL.
This month, the team began to offer its current season ticket holders a drastically reduced rate for next season's tickets. At $135, current ticket holders who renew their tickets in February could save over $80 per ticket over this year's rate.
"As a member of this community, I know that people have been wondering if we would be returning for a second season," said general manager Marty Haddad. "We want to make it as clear as possible that we absolutely will be back, and that owner Maribeth Hayes is committed to Port Huron.
"Ms. Hayes made that commitment clear to [Fighting Falcons head coach] Bill [Warren] and me in a conference we had with her several weeks ago, the culmination of which was signing Bill to a new contract.
"We're already taking ticket orders for next season, and with a full off-season to prepare for next year, we are extremely confident about the on-ice product we will be able to present to our fans," added Haddad.
Head coach Bill Warren has signed a contract extension that will keep him calling the shots through next season. Per team policies, details of the deal will not be released. The Fighting Falcons have become a much more competitive team under Warren, who became the team's second head coach in early January.
Ernie Hicke, the team's original head coach and general manager was fired in late December, after the team won just one of their first 26 games.
"I am completely committed to this team and I'm excited about the future here," said Warren. "With that being said, in no way are any of us overlooking the rest of this season. We still have a lot of goals that we feel we are capable of achieving by the end of the year.
"With an all-local front office staff, we know that we can and must do a better job of staying active in our community," Warren noted. "We see the same potential in Port Huron as Ernie did when he fought to bring this team here last summer, and we're thankful for the hard work he and Shane put into making this team a reality. Now it's up to us to give the Blue Water Area the team they deserve night in and night out."
The Fighting Falcons have been very active in the community since Warren took over, making several appearances at local schools. The Blue Water Council of Boy Scouts of America sold roughly 500 tickets to last Friday's game as part of the team's fund raising program. The team is also a sponsor of Mercy Hospital's Vineyards of the World event on February 25 to benefit the People's Clinic.
The Fighting Falcons will play a home-and-home series with the Traverse City this weekend, hosting the North Stars Saturday night at McMorran Arena at 7:11 p.m. All Attack Zone tickets are on sale for just $5, in the last chance to take advantage of the Player Appreciation Month special.
For more information on ticket specials and upcoming promotions, visit www.phfightingfalcons.com or call the Fighting Falcons office at (810) 966-3800.
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2011
- Poe Commits to UConn - Topeka Pilots
- Monsters Weekly: February 14 - Fresno Monsters
- Corpus Christi Raises $24,250 for American Cancer Society - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bulls Weekly - Five Out of a Possible Six Points, Clinch a Playoff Birth - Amarillo Bulls
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
- Wichita Falls Wildcats Insider - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Walt the Wolf Needs Your Help - Wenatchee Wild
- Fighting Falcons to Return to Port Huron - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- 'Runners Stay Classy, Dump Mustangs - Topeka Pilots
- NAHL Announces Top Prospects Jersey Auction - NAHL
- Metal Jackets Sweep Weekend - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Still a Long Row to Hoe... - Springfield Jr. Blues
- NAHL Wildcats Coach, Beat Writer on Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
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.
