USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Hawks to Honor Pavelski

Published on January 19, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa-Joe Pavelski's number "8" will be retired to the Young Arena rafters in a special ceremony Saturday before the Waterloo Black Hawks host the Sioux City Musketeers. Pavelski, currently a forward for the San Jose Sharks, will be on hand for the occasion. Number 8 is the fifth number retired by the organization, joining numbers 2 (Bill Dobbyn), 7 (Black Hawk fans, the Seventh Man), 11 (Paul Johnson), and 23 (Ben Stadey)

Pavelski is one of four former Hawks currently playing in the NHL. From 2002 through 2004, he skated in Waterloo, leading the team to a Clark Cup championship. A.J. Ligman, who described Pavelski's exploits on Black Hawks radio broadcasts, will be the master of ceremonies for the jersey retirement festivities, which will begin at 7:05.

"We are excited and honored to bring Joe back and retire his jersey," said Pavelski's former coach P.K. O'Handley. Waterloo's Head Coach and General Manager continued, "Joe is a wonderful person in addition to being a great player, and his loyalty to the Black Hawks is unmatched. We are proud to have him as an alumnus, and it will be an honor to share this night with him. It should be great for the fans and certainly great for this organization."

As a rookie in 2002-2003, Pavelski led the Black Hawks with 69 points (36 goals and 33 assists) in 60 regular season games. Waterloo set a franchise record with 38 wins that year, and the Plover, Wisconsin native was named to the All-USHL First Team. A season later, he paced the Hawks with 21 goals and was second on the club with 52 points. Pavelski added twelve more points in the 2004 Clark Cup playoffs, helping to bring a Tier I National Championship to Waterloo. He was honored as the USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year.

The next fall, Pavelski was in Madison for the first of two seasons playing for the Wisconsin Badgers. He led Wisconsin in scoring both years, compiling career NCAA numbers of 39 goals, 62 assists, and 101 total points in 84 games. The Badgers were national champions in 2006. The 2006-2007 season found Pavelski embarking on a professional career. He spent less than two months in the minor leagues before being recalled by the San Jose Sharks. Through San Jose's win against Detroit Saturday, Pavelski was one point shy of 100 in his NHL career. He is on pace for his best NHL season this year.

Best Buy will be giving away a 50" flat-screen television during Saturday's game. One fan in attendance will win the Panasonic plasma, high-definition television to watch Pavelski in the NHL and all the other big games this winter. All of Best Buy's home theatre equipment is on sale now.

The Black Hawks are asking all fans to wear red on Saturday, creating a "Red-Out" at Young Arena. To add to the atmosphere, Community Motors will be providing the first 3,000 fans with red cheer towels. After the game, the Hawks' game-worn red jerseys will be auctioned to interested fans.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2009


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