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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Host Otters on Opening Night

October 16, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, MI - The two-time defending West Division champion Saginaw Spirit kick-off the 2021-22 regular season with a two-game weekend series with against the Erie Otters at The Dow Event Center on Saturday, October 16.  The Spirit will raise their 2021 West Division Championship banner prior to the 7:05 p.m. puck drop on Saturday evening.  This year marks the 20th year for the Spirit, since team's inception into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) back in 2002.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native Camaryn Baber was named the 21st captain in Saginaw Spirit history prior to the season.  The overager was drafted in the third round, 57th overall, by the Spirit in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.  In the past four seasons, the right-winger has 53 points (18 goals - 35 assists) in 118 regular season games, along with seven points in 17 OHL playoff contests.  Baber had three goals, four assists for seven points to lead all Saginaw Spirit players this pre-season.

Saginaw, Michigan native Mitchell Smith and Brighton, Michigan's Davis 'T-Bone' Codd were named full-time alternate captains for the Saginaw Spirit.

Smith, a defenseman is fresh off a free agent training camp invite with the Colorado Avalanche.  The left-hander compiled seven goals, nine assists for 16 points from the backend in 56 games for the Spirit back in 2019-20.

Codd suited up in 53 games for his rookie season with the Saginaw Spirit back in 2019-20, where the right-winger tallied five goals and nine assists for 14 points.  Codd sported the Winged Wheel over the summer after the 18-year-old was invited to play for the Detroit Red Wings in the Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament and Training Camp.

2021 Saginaw Spirit first-round pick (15th overall) Luke McNamara will make his regular season debut in the match-up against the Erie Otters.  The Mississauga, Ontario native impressed in the pre-season with five points (3G,2A) in five games.  The 16-year-old spent the 2020-21 season with the Bishop Kearney Selects U15 AAA, where the center notched 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points in just 32 games.

2021 New York Islanders third-round pick Tristan Lennox will backstop the Spirit for his third OHL season.  The six-foot, three-inch goaltender won 20 of his 33 games for Saginaw back in 2019-20 with a 3.63 goals-against-average in those contests.  Lennox was just the fifth goaltender taken in the 2021 NHL draft when the Islanders selected the Cambridge, Ontario native with 93rd overall selection.

The Erie Otters will look to rebound in the contest with the Saginaw Spirit after they dropped their first two games of the season against the Flint Firebirds.  Erie suffered a last-minute 3-2 road defeat to the Firebirds, where the Otters received goals from Charlotte, North Carolina Brendan Hoffmann and Chicago, Illinois native Colby Saganiuk in the second period.

Please note the following parameters for attending games this season:

Vaccination / Masks: As of October 11, 2021, the state of Michigan has NOT mandated that patrons attending professional indoor sporting events be vaccinated but highly recommend wearing masks when in public settings.

Arena Safety precautions: ASM Global has installed numerous sanitizing stations throughout The Dow Event Center and encourages frequent hand washing while in attendance of any of their events. The Dow Event Center will be conducting increased cleaning of high touch surfaces utilizing electrostatic sprayers. In addition, The Dow Event Center air exchange rate will be increased from normal settings and air handling units will be disinfected regularly.

Please do not enter the facility if you are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test or are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, body aches, sore throat, runny nose or any other symptoms indicating illness.

Bag Policy: No Bags, Purses or Backpacks Larger Than 14"X14"X6" (All Bags Will Be Subject to Thorough Inspection). Diaper Bags will be allowed after thorough inspection if Guest is accompanied by child.

Parking: To improve your entertainment experience, The Dow Event Center is in the process of renovating its parking structure across from venue. These capital improvements include repairing and replacing the elevators and lighting, and performing structural upgrades to the parking ramp.

While this is in progress, parking will be available at the following locations:

Dow Event Center front lot, 303 Johnson

400 lot across from The Dow Event Center, 400 Johnson

Delta College Lot, corner of Jefferson and Johnson, .1 miles, three minute walk

Commerce Tower, 515 N. Washington, .3 miles, six minute walk

Michigan Works, 312 E. Genesee, .3 miles, six minute walk

Credit cards will now be accepted.

Mobile Tickets: New for the 2021-22 season, when purchasing tickets through the Saginaw Spirit website or in person at the Saginaw Spirit Store, fans can now choose to have their tickets delivered to their email or mobile device, or as a physical paper ticket. Spirit fans purchasing their tickets at The Dow Event Center box office will receive a physical ticket. If having your tickets delivered to your mobile device, please download the ticket to your wallet before leaving home in order to ensure the ticket can be viewed upon arrival.  Group and Season Tickets will continue to be physical ticket through the duration of the 2021-22 season.

Dow Event Center Box Office: The Dow Event Center box office hours are Thursdays, 10:00am through 2:00pm, Fridays, 10:00am through 5:00pm, and open two hours before an event.

Sunday will be Pink Out Night at The Dow presented by Ascension St. Mary's where the first 2,000 fans will receive a light up bracelet as the Spirit host the Erie Otters. Following the game, the Spirit will auction off their game-worn jerseys with the proceeds going toward breast cancer research at Ascension St. Mary's.

Fans with any questions or concerns about fan protocols may call the Spirit at (989) 497-7747 or email info@saginawspirit.com

TV: WNEM TV5+ (10/24, 6:00pm), OHL Action Pak Ch. 467

Radio: 100.5 WSGW-FM

Mobile: wsgw.com, CHL TV App, CHL App

Web: Watch.chl.ca

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2021


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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