Pirates Announce Labatt Blue All-Time Team

January 21, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME - Their place in Portland Pirates' history is indelible. Today, the Pirates announced the Labatt Blue All-Time Team, twelve players who have played their positions better than anyone in team history. The Labatt Blue All-Time Team was chosen through an on-line vote of fans. Today's announcement comes as part of the Pirates' season-long Tenth Anniversary celebration.

"Our fans clearly gave the selection process a good deal of thought and we think they've chosen two very good teams," said Brian Petrovek, Pirates' CEO. "All twelve players have all made significant contributions to the success of the franchise, both on and off the ice."

Goaltender Olaf Kolzig, defensemen Steve Poapst and Patrick Boileau and forwards Andrew Brunette, Kent Hulst and Jeff Nelson make up the first team. Goaltender Martin Brochu, defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Nolan Baumgartner and forwards Kevin Kaminski, Glen Metropolit and Trent Whitfield comprise the second team.

As part of the announcement, the first 5,000 fans attending the Pirates' game on Saturday, January 25th against the Providence Bruins will receive a commemorative poster courtesy of Labatt Blue.

With the exception of Boileau, everyone on the first team was a member of the Pirates' 1994 Calder Cup Championship team. Kolzig was the Butterfield Trophy winner as Playoff MVP in 1994. He is a member of the Pirates' Hall of Fame. Boileau and Poapst rank one-two in games played and points by a defenseman respectively. Poapst is also a member of the Pirates' Hall of Fame. Brunette and Hulst are members of that select group as well. Brunette is the team's all-time assist leader while Hulst ranks first all-time in games played, goals and points. Jeff Nelson still holds the team record and the Maine professional hockey record for most points in a season. He scored 107 during the 1993-94 season.

Brochu owns eight career goaltending records for the Pirates and three more individual season marks. Gonchar had 42 points in 61 games for the Pirates during the 1994-95 season. Baumgartner ranks third all-time behind Boileau and Poapst for games played by a defenseman. Kevin Kaminski is a member of the Pirates' Hall of Fame. He holds the franchise record for career penalty minutes (797). Whitfield and Metropolit are the only current Pirates on either team. Whitfield has played in more than 200 games for the Pirates, scoring more than 150 points. He currently leads the team lead in scoring. Metropolit was recently assigned to the Pirates by Washington. He ranks sixth in franchise scoring, in spite of only playing in 134 games. His career point-per-game average while with the Pirates (1.25) is the highest of any player.

The Pirates return to action on Friday when they host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. They will finish the weekend on Saturday against the Providence Bruins at 7:35 p.m. The Pirates are currently in the middle of an eight-game home stand. Tickets for all Pirates' games are on sale at the Cumberland County Civic Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may be purchased by calling 775-3458 or 775-3331.



American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2003


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