Phantoms Prepare for Mario Lemieux Foundation Jersey Auction
December 31, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Wednesday, December 31st, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms will begin a pre-auction of game-worn special edition jerseys on Saturday morning at MVPPhantoms.com, with the proceeds going to benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation.
On January 10th, the Phantoms will host Mario Lemieux Foundation Night as they take on the Motor City Machine at the Chevrolet Centre. After the game, there will be a live auction of the Phantoms' special edition Foundation jerseys that they will be wearing during the game.
Former Pittsburgh Penguin, NHL Hall of Famer and Foundation chairman Mario Lemieux has seen the uniforms and says that fans who bid on them will be in for a treat.
"The Foundation jerseys for the fundraiser look great, and the auction winners are going to be excited to have a unique item like this," says the two-time Stanley Cup Champion.
Because the Phantoms understand that some fans may not be able to make it to the Chevrolet Centre next Saturday, the team is offering those fans a chance to make early bids on their favorite player's jersey in the week leading up to the event at MVPPhantoms.com.
The pre-auction bids will be accepted starting Saturday morning at 10:00 AM. Fans that make pre-auction bids will also be given the opportunity to make bids in the live auction on January 10th via telephone with Phantoms staff members.
The jerseys' main color is white, with the Pittsburgh Penguins' signature black and gold on the sides of the torso and the Mario Lemieux Foundation logo centered on the chest.
The sleeves are white with gold-trimmed black numbers and a black "bottom" from the underarm to the wrist and a patch of gold above the wrist on "top" of the sleeve. The numbers on the back of the jersey will also be black trimmed in gold.
The Phantoms logo appears to the top left of the Foundation logo on the chest.
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt says the team is thrilled to be partnering with the Mario Lemieux Foundation for the event.
"Any time you can do something that gives back to the community and is for a good cause," says Mainhardt, "and this is a foundation that really tugs at your heart strings because it helps kids that are in need, any time you can help out an organization like that, it's a special moment for anyone.
"Couple that with a name like Mario Lemieux and what a fine human being he is, it will be a great night that the players and the fans will remember for the rest of their lives."
Lemieux adds that the feeling is mutual on the part of the Foundation.
"The Foundation is proud to be associated with the Phantoms, and we appreciate the opportunity to hold an event in Youngstown," says the two-time Hart Trophy winner.
The Mario Lemieux Foundation was formed in 1993 by Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins who had his '93-'94 NHL season cut short when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease.
After a successful battle with Hodgkin's, the eventual NHL Hall of Famer was cancer free but his experience led him to focus on ways to assist those who were not so fortunate.
The main objective of the Mario Lemieux Foundation is to fund promising medical research projects being conducted by talented scientists.
Among the donations made by the Foundation was a five million dollar gift to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to establish the Mario Lemieux Centers for Patient Care and Research in 2001 and a two million dollar gift to the Children's Home of Pittsburgh in 2005.
The Phantoms return to action Friday night as they open the New Year with a 7:05 PM face-off in Traverse City, MI, against the second-place North Stars in the first of a three-game series in northwest Michigan.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 6:45 PM.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2008
- U.S. Dropped by Canada In Wild Game at World Juniors - U.S. National Team
- Traverse City North Stars Roll, 6-3 - Traverse City North Stars
- Phantoms' Schneider Commits to UConn - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Phantoms Prepare for Mario Lemieux Foundation Jersey Auction - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Rangers Return - Marquette Rangers
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