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Pirates' Roster Bolstered On Eve of Regular Season

October 9, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME - With the 2003-2004 regular season just a day away, the Portland Pirates put the finishing touches on their roster with the addition of five players. The Washington Capitals, the National Hockey League affiliate of the Pirates, assigned defensemen Rick Berry and Jean-Francois Fortin to Portland. Both players cleared waivers and will report to Portland. The Capitals also signed defenseman Mike Pudlick and center Brad Parsons to contracts and added left wing Scott Pellerin on a 25-game professional try-out. To make room on the roster, the Pirates released defenseman Louis Robitaille who had been in Portland as a training camp invitee.

The Pirates roster now stands at 23 players including 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders. Those players will kick-off the eleventh season in Pirates' history tomorrow night as the Pirates visit the Lowell Lock Monsters. Game time is 7:00 p.m. from Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Pirates will be in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, October 11th to face the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:05 p.m.

In other news, center Trent Whitfield was named team captain, the seventh player in Pirates' history to hold that honor. Last season, Whitfield set career highs with a team-leading 27 goals and 61 points in 64 games. He finished second in team scoring. He also earned a late season recall to the Capitals where he played in 14 regular season and six playoff games. All-time, the native of Estevan, Saskatchewan ranks seventh in franchise scoring with 78 goals and 108 assists for 186 points in 257 games.

Both Pirates' games this weekend can be heard live on the Pirates' Radio Network. Dave Ahlers returns for his ninth season as the "Voice of the Pirates". Friday's game can be heard in greater Portland on flagship station WJAB, AM-1440 and FM-95.5. On Saturday, listeners in Portland will hear the game on WJAB's sister station, WLOB, AM-1310 and FM-96.3 due to the airing of the Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees American League Championship Series on WJAB. Listeners will also be able to hear both games on Pirates' Radio Network affiliates WKTQ, AM-1450 in South Paris, WTME, AM-780 in Rumford and 1220 AM ESPN Radio in Sanford.

The Pirates open their home schedule on Friday, October 17th when they host the Wolf Pack at the Cumberland County Civic Center at 7:05 p.m. As part of Opening Night festivities, Rivalries, Margaritas and the Brian Boru will be hosting a pre-game block party from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with drink specials, giveaways and mascot appearances.

The Pirates will be back on Civic Center ice on Saturday, October 18th when they host the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will receive a Pirates' magnetic schedule courtesy of Paul G. White Tile Company. Tickets for all 40 regular season home games are on sale now at the Civic Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. The Pirates' full season schedule is available on-line at portlandpirates.com. Good seat locations are still available for the 2003-2004 season with full and partial-season ticket packages on sale now. Call the Pirates at (207) 828-4665 for more information.



American Hockey League Stories from October 9, 2003


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