Fun For the Entire Family at the Compuware Sports Arena

November 29, 2005 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


LOOKING TO SLOW DOWN THE HOLIDAY HUSTLE and BUSTLE? HAVE FUN AT THE COMPUWARE SPORTS ARENA

The holidays are coming, so it's a busy time for everyone in the family.

With that in mind, the Compuware Sports Arena is offering several programs designed for kids and their families to have fun.

COMPUWARE SPORTS ARENA ONE-DAY HOCKEY CLINIC

This is a one-day session held on Monday, December 5.

The clinic is divided into two age groups - Mini Mites (ages 4-6) and Mites (ages 7-9). Mini Mites skate from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm on the Compuware Sports Arena's National Hockey League rink; Mites skate from 6:40 pm to 7:40 pm at the Compuware Sports Arena's Olympic rink.

The cost is $25 for everyone, with a $5 discount for Compuware Youth Hockey League players.

The instruction for this one-day clinic will be conducted by:

Susan Bottrell - the Compuware Sports Arena's Learn-to-Skate Director and Powerskating Specialist.

Kathy Markovich - an instructor at the Compuware Sports Arena's Learn-to-Skate Program and another Power Skating Specialist.

Brent Lakin - a Learn-to-Skate instructor and Stick Handling Expert.

Skating sessions focus on - Forward Stride, Backward Skating, Stops and Turns, Turns, Edges, Balance and Speed.

Puck Handling skills include - Passing, Shooting, Carrying the Puck, Shooting the Puck in Motion, Puck Control while Turning and Skating Backward with the Puck.

"What we're trying to do with this clinic is to teach some basic skating and hockey skills while having fun," Bottrell said. "Our instructors enjoy teaching the young players. We make a point to have fun with these classes."

Parents can register their children in person at the Compuware Sports Arena or go to http://www.compuwarehockey.com for more information. Parents can also call the Compuware Sports Arena at (734) 453--6400 for more information.


WHALERS HOCKEY SCHOOL SET FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

The annual 2005 Plymouth Whalers Holiday Clinic will be held Mon. Dec 26 and tee. Dec. 27 with two sessions - Mini-Mites and Mites in one and Mites and Squirts in the other. The cost is $150 or $140 for Compuware Sports Arena registered house players.

Included with the registration:
1-Instruction featuring Plymouth Whalers players covering power skating, passing, stick handling and shooting.

2-A Plymouth Whaler hockey camp jersey.

3-All players receive two complimentary tickets to the Whalers' game Dec. 28 against Windsor.

4-Includes a Jet's Pizza Party with Shooter - the Whalers' Mascot - and members of the Plymouth Whalers.

"We try to cover all the bases with our clinics," said Plymouth Whalers Hockey School Director Todd Watson. "Students will get excellent instruction from qualified teachers while
having fun at the same time."

Please call (734) 453-8400 to register.

SPEND YOUR WHALERS GAME NIGHT IN STYLE IN THE LABATT HOSPITALITY ROOM

The Labatt Hospitality Room is now available for private parties and special events during Whalers' games.

For $25 per person, you'll receive:

Tickets to the game.
Watch the game from the privacy of the Hospitality Room.
Use of a 50-inch Plasma Screen Television.
Beef and Chicken keep dinner.
Non-alcoholic beverages.

To book your special event in the Labatt Hospitality Room, please call Bob Bannatz or Char Merckel at (734) 453-8400.

WHALER HOME GAMES IN DECEMBER:
Friday, Dec. 2 - vs. Mississauga @ 7:30 pm -
Family Value Night, AAA Safety Night.

Saturday, Dec. 3 - vs. Kitchener @ 7:30 pm -
Window Decal Night, United Way Food Drive.

Saturday, Dec. 10 - vs. Owen Sound @ 7:30 pm -
Family Value Night, Teddy Bear Toss.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 - vs. Windsor @ 2:00 pm -
Kids' Day.

Friday, Dec. 30 - vs. Erie @ 7:30 pm -
Family Value Night, Jersey Night.

Family Value Packs - for $44, families receive four tickets, four hot dogs, four pepsis
and four lineup cards.

Purchase tickets by calling (734) 453-8400.

KIDS and PARENTS CAN MEET WHALER PLAYERS DURING WHALERS WEDNESDAYS at GINOPOLIS on THE ICE

Ginopolis on the Ice Restaurant - located inside the Compuware Sports Arena - is offering a new feature designed to bring fun into the facility on Wednesday evenings.



Ginopolis on the Ice is offering "Whalers Wednesdays" from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm during the Ontario Hockey League season. On "Whalers Wednesdays", two members of the Plymouth Whalers will be available at the restaurant to sign autographs, be available for photos and mingle with guests at the restaurant.



Kicking off the first "Whalers Wednesdays" on Nov. 16 was veteran goaltender Ryan Nie and overage defenseman Mike Letizia. Whaler captain John Vigilante and right wing Dan Collins will appear Nov. 30.

During the first Whalers Wednesdays on Nov. 16, some 15 kids with their parents were able to talk to Nie and Letizia is a low-key, informal manner. Nie and Letizia took the time to talk to everyone who attended.



Discounts will be given to children 12-and-under for the event. Children 12-and-under can eat free for every adult they bring who pays full price for their entrée. The Kids Menu will be their choice of Chicken Strips and Fries, Kids' Hot Dog or Kids' Linguine.

Ginopolis on The Ice Restaurant proprietor Bob Bannatz is offering another discount on "Whalers Wednesdays."



"People who show me a Whaler autograph - received that night or any time during the season - will receive 20 percent off their bill," Bannatz said. "We want everybody to have fun when they come in on 'Whalers Wednesdays'."

"It's often said that Whaler players are excellent ambassadors," said Rob Murphy, Compuware Sports Arena Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing. "We find they're very down-to-earth and approachable, especially with kids. We're looking forward to having a lot of fun with children of all ages with their parents on Whalers Wednesdays."

2005 COMPUWARE HOLIDAY CLASSIC TOURNAMENT - COMPETITIVE HOCKEY CLOSE TO HOME

If you're looking to get your team involved in a holiday tournament while staying close to home this holiday season, the Compuware Sports Arena is offering their annual Holiday Classic, running December 26-31.

The tournament features:
1-A three-game guarantee.
2-All games at the Compuware Sports Arena.
3-No gate fee.

Teams registering receive discounts to the Plymouth Whalers game Dec. 28 against Windsor and Dec. 30 against Erie.

Divisions offered include:

Mini-Mites - ages 6-and-under - with two-minute run-time shifts. Games will be three 12-minute periods.

Mites, Squirts: Designed for House League, A and AA players. Games will be three 11-minute periods.

Pee Wee: Designed for House League, A and AA players. Games will be three 12-minute periods.

Bantam, JV/Midget: Designed for A and AA players. Games will be three 13-minute periods.

Price for teams are:
Mini-Mite - $640.00.
Mite, Squirt -$660.00.
Pee Wee - $675.00
Bantam, JV/Midget - $690.00

For more information, please call the Compuware Sports Arena at (734) 453-6400 or go to the arena's website, http://www.compuwarehockey.com.

COMPUWARE SPORTS ARENA PUBLIC SKATE HOURS FOR DECEMBER:

Monday, Wednesday and Fridays: 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm.

Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Weekend times: Times vary, so please call (734) 453-6400.

Dec. 26-29: 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2005


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