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Rangers Release Schedule

July 15, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - The Marquette Rangers have released the details of their upcoming 2008 - 09 North American Hockey League season. The team's third season in the NAHL will feature a new division opponent in the Motor City Machine of suburban Detroit, and several games featuring partnerships with other hockey entities who share Lakeview Arena with the tier II Junior team.

Motor City played last year in the NAHL Central Division as the Southern Minnesota Express in Owatonna, Minnesota.

In all, the Rangers will play 58 regular season games: 26 at Lakeview Arena, 28 on the road and four NAHL Showcase games in Blaine, Minnesota to kick off the season September 17th -20th. The Rangers schedule is also heavily back-loaded; meaning 13 of the last 16 games will be played at Lakeview Arena.

According to Rangers president and general manager David Saint-Onge, the organization is pleased with how the schedule shapes up this season.

"With two years under our belt, we better understand the expectations and desires of our fans," Saint-Onge said. "We have also partnered with Marquette General Hospital, the Marquette Electricians, Marquette Junior Hockey and Marquette Senior High School hockey to bring our fans some great events this year. Old time hockey at Lakeview Arena is back and the Rangers games will continue to bring affordable fun and excitement to every fan, every night."

Included this year are games against North Division opponents Traverse City, Alpena, Motor City, Mahoning Valley, and The U.S. National Team Development Program based in Ann Arbor.

Two time defending Robertson Cup champions the St. Louis Bandits have been moved out of the NAHL North Division to the newly formed Southern Division for 2008 -09. However, the Bandits and Rangers will still face off against one another at the North Division Showcase at Mahoning Valley in November.

The Rangers schedule also includes five games with Central Division opponent the Alexandria (Minnesota) Blizzard, three in Alexandria two at Lakeview Arena

The Rangers have also partnered with three other hockey groups in the area in putting their schedule together.

The Rangers home opener will be Friday September 26th against Traverse City, and will take place during the Marquette Electricians annual Fall Classic. That weekend, the Rangers will be hosting a skills competition for players competing in the Fall Classic to find the best Midget player in America. The finals of the skills competition will take place during the two intermissions of the Rangers game.

Marquette will also feature a Bantam skills competition during the annual Iron Sticks Tournament sponsored by Marquette Junior Hockey the weekend of October 25th;, and the Rangers have teamed with Marquette Senior High School for a Friday double-header on January 30th. The Redmen will play Gaylord prior to the Rangers game against Team USA; a special ticket for fans to attend both games will be available.

Several specialty nights are featured this year, including the second "Paint the Rink Pink" breast cancer awareness game to benefit the Marquette General Cancer Center through the MGH Foundation. The Rangers will again wear customized pink jerseys the night of Thursday October 23rd, with the jerseys to be auctioned-off after the game to benefit the Cancer Center. Last year's game and activities raised $24,000 and saw the second largest crowd in team history.

The team will also salute the Daytona 500 Friday February 13th as part of a three-game set with Mahoning Valley. The Rangers have teamed with Hoovers Auto Body of Marquette, and will wear specialized racing jerseys during the game.

Other new items for fans include a nightly chance to win a 46" plasma screen television from Aarons, several gasoline giveaways with Holiday Station Stores, a Teddy Bear Toss to benefit children at Marquette General Hospital and a major give-a-way with Public Service Garage of Marquette.

The Rangers final camp is this weekend at the Berry Events Center running Friday through Sunday, with the team being picked at the end of Sunday's games. 42 players, 11 of them returners from last year will be featured in three games plus a goalie session at NMU. The final camp is free and open to fans all three days, with the Rangers hosting a "Pick the Rangers" contest with the winner receiving a 10 game "flex pass" for the upcoming season.

For more in the upcoming season, ticket information or the final camp visit the teams' website www.marquetterangers.com

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North American Hockey League Stories from July 15, 2008


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.

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