Spirit Prepare for Home Opener Thursday against Firebirds
Published on September 22, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
SAGINAW, MICH - The Saginaw Spirit are set to embark upon their 14th journey in the Ontario Hockey League, beginning Thursday night versus their newest rival, the Flint Firebirds.
The Spirit are coming off a season in which they became the youngest team in OHL history to make a playoff appearance, finishing with a 29-36-2-1 record in 2014-15. The Spirit ran into the juggernaut Soo Greyhounds in round one, but the Spirit's young stars gained valuable experience playing in the OHL's second season.
This year's mix of seasoned veterans and talent-laden young players, infused with the vigor of skilled youth, has the Saginaw Spirit primed to make a run in 2015.
"We are very excited not only this year's team but the very bright future we feel we have here in Saginaw." said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill. "Building and developing a core group of players is proven to be successful at the OHL level. This has been done here and it is our job to make sure we keep adding new talent to our system so the Spirit can be a contender year after year. Our players gained valuable experience last year and now it is time for them to take it to the next level and keeping making progress in their careers. We are very pleased with the team and what the future holds."
The Spirit's home opening festivities begin with the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup Fan Fest at the First Merit Bank Event Park at 5:00pm. Fans with a ticket to the game are permitted to attend this pregame festival in which they can enjoy a complementary hamburger and Frito-Lay product, live music from Mandi Layne & the Lost Highway, and the unveiling of the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup Trophy. The trophy will be awarded at the end of each regular season to the winner of the season series. In the event of the tie, the first tiebreaker for the trophy will be goal differential in the games played between Saginaw and Flint.
Spirit President Craig Goslin is a member of the OHL Executive Council and was instrumental in getting the former Plymouth franchise into Flint.
"Starting our 14th season and on behalf of Spirit Owner Dick Garber, the OHL Executive Council and the OHL Board of Governors, it's a true honor to welcome the community of Flint-Genesee and the Flint Firebirds to the Ontario Hockey League. I expect a highly contested rivalry that is second to none in the OHL between the Spirit and the Firebirds that will have fans from both communities engaged and very entertained. We invite the fans from both teams to meet us for the Fan Fest that goes from 5-7pm on Thursday and also to see the Coors Light I-75 Divide Trophy Unveiling. Fans will also get complimentary hamburgers and Frito Lay chips at the 1st Merit Bank Event Park while supplies last. The park is located immediately across the street from the Dow Event Center. I invite the communities to come be part of history as we begin our rivalry together on Thursday."
For tickets to the Spirit home opener on Thursday night, call (989) 497-7747 or visit saginawspirit.com
Don't forget if you cannot make it out to the game on Thursday night, you can listen to the Spirit each and every game on FM Talk and Sports WSGW 100.5 with the voices of Saginaw Spirit hockey Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2015
- OHL Live Early Bird Pricing Now Available - OHL
- Firebirds to be Featured in EA Sports NHL 16 this Year - Flint Firebirds
- Spirit Prepare for Home Opener Thursday against Firebirds - Saginaw Spirit
- Spitfires Acquire Giugovaz - Windsor Spitfires
- Knights Trade Giugovaz to Spitfires - London Knights
- Lammikko Returns to Frontenacs for 2015-16 Season - Kingston Frontenacs
- Ian McKinnon Reassigned to Whitby - Peterborough Petes
- Garagan Leads the Way - Sudbury Wolves
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.
