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IceDiggers prepare for showcase

September 10, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alpena IceDiggers News Release


Alpena MI: After three weeks of training camp, countless hours on the ice and in the weight room and four exhibition games under their belt the time has come for the Alpena IceDiggers to begin their quest to do what no other IceDiggers club in history has been able to do and that is make the NAHL playoff's. The IceDiggers missed the playoff's last year by eight points. With 14 returning players for the upcoming season the IceDiggers will have plenty of veteran's.

"We will be more experienced and the returning guys will be counted on to carry much of the load at the start of the season until the new guys adapt to the speed and level of play in the league. In order to win in this league you need good goaltending, and I truly believe we can put anyone one of the guys we have in there and they can get the job done." said head coach Kenny Miller who is returning for his second season as bench boss.

The regular season will kick off Wednesday Sept. 13th in Blaine MN at the annual NAHL showcase. Alpena will take on the North Iowa Outlaws (Central Division) in the first of four games at the showcase. Alpena and North Iowa will face off at 3:00PM CST. Last year in Blaine the Outlaws defeated the IceDiggers 2-1. The Outlaws are coached by Dave Boitz who will try to lead the Outlaws to the playoff's for the first time in the two years they have been apart of the NAHL.

Alpena will play the Alexandria Blizzard (Central Division) on Thursday the 14th of Sept. at 7:00PM CST. The Blizzard are looking to rebound after also missing the playoffs last season. The IceDiggers are 1-0 against Alexandria since the IceDiggers joined the league in 2003. Head coach Brad Willner will lead the Blizzard for the second year in a row.

In the third game of the week on Friday Sept. 15th the IceDiggers will play the three time defending NAHL Champion Texas Tornado (South Division) the face-off for that game will be at 3:30PM. Alpena is 1-2 against the champs in overall play, the IceDiggers defeated Texas at the Compuware preseason showcase back in 2003, while the Tornado have beat the IceDiggers in two regular season showcase games. Mike Modano current forward for Dallas Stars is a minority owner with the Tornado. Texas is coached by Tony Curtale. Under Curtale the only coach in Tornado history, the Tornado has made the postseason in 8 consecutive seasons.

The fourth and final game will be against the St. Louis Bandits (South Division) this contest will take place at 2:30PM CST on Saturday Sept. 16th. This will mark the first time in history that these two clubs will play each other. Both IceDiggers and Bandits joined the NAHL in the 2003-2004 season. St. Louis entered the league when they were in Texarkana, the Bandits moved to the Gate Way City this summer. Jon Cooper will lead the Bandits, Cooper is the only coach the franchise's history. The Bandits ownership group consists of former NHL star Brett Hull and former St. Louis Blues tough guy Kelly Chase, along with other local business men.

In the Wednesday game against North Iowa, IceDigger fans can log onto www.nothiowaoutlaws.com to access the game.

When the IceDiggers take on the defending Robertson Cup Champion Texas Tornado Friday, fans are encouraged to visit www.tornadohockey.com to listen to the game.

Audio will not be available for games versus St. Louis and Alexandria, but IceDigger supporters and fans will be able to keep up on all the action with live in game updates at www.pointstreak.com.

The entire IceDiggers organization would like to thank the North Iowa Outlaws and the Texas Tornado for allowing the IceDiggers to link to their website's to bring the great fans of the IceDiggers audio during the NAHL showcase. "The NAHL has plenty of teams that are willing to help each other when it comes to these type of things. We are glad that all our parents along with all the great fans we have will get a chance to listen to these two games." said Miller.

For more information on the Alpena IceDigger be sure to check out the website at www.icediggers.com or call the main office at (989) 356-9812.



North American Hockey League Stories from September 10, 2006


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.

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