Sports stats



River Rats Join Operation Reach Out

November 16, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


Albany N.Y. - The Albany River Rats have announced a partnership with the New York National Guard for the November 20th game against Philadelphia to serve as the kick-off for Operation Reach Out. The 7:30pm game also includes an Advance Auto Parts Rally Banger giveaway to all fans, and other Advance Auto Parts prizes including gift certificates, hats, t-shirts and more.

All fans attending the 7:30pm contest versus the Phantoms are asked to bring comfort goods for distribution to Capital Region troops serving overseas. Attending fans may also record a short videotape message that will be directly shipped to those soldiers in time for the Holidays.

"We feel this is our duty as an organization to continually give back to those defending our freedom," said Garen Szablewski, President and CEO of the River Rats. "Our staff has been privileged to work with New York National Guard and we encourage all our fans to bring items and leave a personal message for the troops at Saturday's game."

The videotaped messages will be compiled onto a single tape that will be sent to specific New York National Guard units so troops will know that people back home are thinking about them. There will be multiple camcorders at Pepsi Arena to tape 30-second Holiday messages for the troops.

New York National Guard units from the Capital Region presently in Iraq include members of several companies of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, members of the 101st Cavalry, and the 56th Personnel Services Battalion. In addition, some members of the Headquarters 42nd Infantry Division and 642nd Military Intelligence Battalion have recently gone over on an advance movement.

The Albany River Rats, in their 12th season as a member of the American Hockey League, are owned and operated by Capital District Sports Inc., and serve as the primary affiliate of the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils.

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from November 16, 2004


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 Albany River Rats Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central