Pirates Training Camp Opens September 23

Published on September 17, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME - The Portland Pirates will open the eleventh training camp in franchise history on Tuesday, September 23 at the Portland Ice Arena, the official practice and training facility of the Pirates. Practice will begin at 9:45 a.m. Head coach Tim Army begins his second season at the helm of the Pirates while assistant coach Mark Kumpel is in his sixth year with the team. The Pirates will have ten players for the start of camp with another ten expected to join the team for the on-ice session on Friday. All Pirates' practices are open to the public.

Last season, Army and Kumpel led the Pirates to a record of 33-28-13-6, eighth place in the American Hockey League's Eastern Conference. The Pirates returned to the Calder Cup Playoffs after a one-year hiatus, losing to the Manitoba Moose 2-1 in a best-of-three Qualifying Series.

The 2002-2003 season was a record-setting season for the Pirates. They broke eight team records including fewest goals against (195), shutouts (11), home shutouts (9, also an AHL record), best penalty killing percentage (86.6%), most shutouts by one goalie (7 by Maxime Ouellet), longest shutout streak (193:42 by Ouellet), most saves in a period (29 by Ouellet) and most shorthanded goals by one player (5 by Trent Whitfield). The Pirates also sent four players to the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic in Portland-Ouellet, Whitfield, Chris and Peter Ferraro-and had two AHL award winners (Ouellet, Second Team AHL All-Star; Chris Ferraro, Fred T. Hunt Award).

The Pirates will play four preseason games beginning on Tuesday, September 30 when they visit the Lowell Lock Monsters in Nashua, New Hampshire. They'll return to Maine the next day to host the Manchester Monarchs at Biddeford Ice Arena in Biddeford on October 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Pirates will be back on the ice on Saturday when they host the Lowell Lock Monsters on Saturday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center. They will finish the preseason schedule on Sunday afternoon, October 5, when they play the Monarchs in Salem, New Hampshire at 2:00 p.m. Both home games will be preceded by a game between the Portland Junior Pirates and their counterparts from both Manchester and Lowell at 4:00 p.m.

Tickets for both pre-season home games are on sale now. Tickets for the game in Biddeford may be purchased at the Biddeford Ice Arena and the Pirates' offices from Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Biddeford and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Pirates' offices. General admission tickets for the game on October 1st will cost $6 for adults and $4 for children and seniors. Tickets for groups of 15 or more also will cost $4. Tickets may also be purchased by phone by calling the Pirates at (207) 828-4665. All sales at BIA will be cash only. Sales through the Pirates' offices will be cash and credit card.

Tickets for the October 4th pre-season game at the Civic Center are on sale at the Civic Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the box office at (207) 775-3458 or Ticketmaster at (207) 775-3331. Tickets for the October 4th game only will be also available at ticketmaster.com. Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, September 22nd, box office hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Reserved seating will cost $10 for the Captain's Deck, $9 for the Main Deck, $8 for the Quarter Deck and $7 for children and seniors in both the Main and Quarter Decks. Groups of 15 or more will pay $5 per ticket.

The Pirates open the home half of their schedule on Friday, October 17th when they host the Hartford Wolf Pack at the 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 Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will receive a Pirates' magnetic schedule courtesy of Paul G. White Tile Company. 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.

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