Sports stats

Pirates and Maine Hockey Group to Join Forces

February 26, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME – The Portland Pirates and the Maine Hockey Group announced today the creation of the Portland Junior Pirates, a junior hockey team comprised of players 15-20 years old who will compete in an independent schedule of 60-65 games against other junior hockey teams in both the United States and Canada.

The goal of the program is to provide high school students and graduates with a competitive alternative to what is currently available through their prep school, high school or area midget teams. The program will place particular emphasis on guiding and preparing players for college and to give them greater exposure to college and professional hockey scouts and recruiters. Players will be challenged physically and academically in order to create a well-rounded individual. The program will also protect the amateur status of all participants under the rules and guidelines established by the governing bodies of competitive amateur hockey, including the NCAA.

"This is a natural extension of our already strong commitment to developing the sport of hockey at all levels throughout our market," said Brian Petrovek, Pirates' CEO. "The Portland Junior Pirates will give players in Maine an opportunity to compete at an elite level within their age group and enhance their development as athletes and individuals."

The Pirates will lend their logo and supply uniforms to the Portland Junior Pirates. The team will also assist the junior team in marketing, promotion and personal development. Petrovek and Pirates' President/COO Brian Williams will both serve on the board of the Maine Hockey Group.

The Portland Junior Pirates will be run by the Maine Hockey Group. Sean O'Brien of Saco is the co-owner and General Manager of the Maine Hockey Group. He is currently a scout for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League and co-director of the SUNBELT Hockey Schools in Maine, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Massachusetts. Jay Pecora, the former head coach at Deering High School in Portland, is also co-owner of the Maine Hockey Group and will serve as the team's head coach. Like O'Brien, he is also co-director of the SUNBELT Hockey Schools.

"We are honored and excited to have secured this partnership with the Portland Pirates," said Sean O'Brien, Junior Pirates' General Manager. "This unique relationship will assist in the development of hockey in the state of Maine."

The Portland Junior Pirates is a tuition-based organization. Each player selected for the team will pay tuition plus a travel fee. In addition to the hockey, players will have an individually designed academic/educational program depending upon their age, academic status and SAT scores.

Players will also work with Dana White, the Strength and Conditioning coach for the Portland Pirates, both in and out of season and will also participate in seminars on time management, career planning, communication skills, drug and alcohol abuse awareness and community involvement.

The Portland Junior Pirates will play at the Biddeford Ice Arena in Biddeford. The team will initially operate as an independent with a goal of becoming a member of a competitive junior hockey league. For more information, prospective players may log on to the team's web site, www.mainehockeygroup.com or contact either Sean O'Brien (sean@mainehockeygroup.com) or Jay Pecora (jay@mainehockeygroup.com).



American Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2003


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.

Other Recent Portland Pirates Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central