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OHL Windsor Spitfires

Graves Headlines 1985-95 Alumni Thursday Night

November 16, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release


(Windsor, ON) Join us Thursday night, November 20th, as we continue formal celebration of our 40th Anniversary with the second of seven scheduled theme nights; this one honouring the franchise's second decade, 1985-95.

Three distinguished Spitfires alumni will be on-hand to help us celebrate.

1) Adam Graves Graves, 46, a native of Tecumseh, Ontario, played three seasons with the Spitfires from 1985 through 1988. In 165 career regular season games, Graves scored 100 goals and added 124 assists; numbers that included a 100-point season (45G, 55A) in 1986-87.

However, his most storied accomplishment came in the 1988 Playoffs, during which he put up a gawdy 32 points (14G, 18A) in just 12 games, captaining the Spitfires to their first OHL Championship. Graves went on to an oustanding NHL career, playing in 1,152 career regular season games and winning a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.

Graves' #9 has been retired by the club and hangs in the rafters at the WFCU Centre.

2) Bill Bowler A prolific point producer, Bowler, 40, played four full seasons for the Spitfires, from 1991 through 1995. In 250 regular season games, the Toronto native scored 149 goals along with an incredible 318 assists - a franchise record - eclipsing the 120-point plateau in each of his final three seasons. Bowler added 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 21 career playoff games. Bowler went on to play eight seasons of professional hockey in North America and Europe.

Bowler's #9 hangs in the rafters of the WFCU Centre along with that of Graves.

3) Tom Webster Webster, 66, is among the most decorated coaches in Spitfires history. Originally from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, he served three different stints as the franchise's head coach: 1985 through 1987, 1987 through 1989, and 1999 through 2003, leading the 1988 club that won the OHL Championship. Webster also spent nine seasons as either a head or assistant coach in the National Hockey League - with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes.

A SPECIAL EVENING TO COME

In addition to what will be a great test versus the Sarnia Sting, we've got an entire night of fun and memories lined up.

PRE-GAME

The first 500 fans to arrive at the game will receive a limited edition collector puck, complete with our 40th Anniversary logo, commemorating the franchise's 1988 OHL Champioship.

The first 2,500 fans will also receive a special collector's poster featuring Graves & Bowler.

5:45pm to 6:55pm: Pre-game reception on suite level at the WFCU Centre

7:05pm: JumboTron video tribute to the 1985-95 decade of Spitfires hockey

IN-GAME

1st Intermission: Graves and Bowler will be signing autographs on the concourse and there will also be a jersey raffle. Prior to start of 3rd Period: On-ice ceremony including a Windsor Spitfires Foundation cheque donation to a local organization, presentated on behalf of 1985-95 alumni.

POST-GAME

Our Premium Seating Department members are invited to a special reception in the Crown Royal Lounge For tickets to this very special evening, visit WindsorSpitfires.com, the TekSavvy Box Office or call (519) 254-5000.

Check out the Windsor Spitfires Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 16, 2014


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