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Stars Open Whirlwind Week Tonight

September 28, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - It'll be a whirlwind first week of the 2011-12 home schedule for the Traverse City North Stars. Wednesday's home opener pits the Stars against the vastly-improved Port Huron Fighting Falcons, with the division-leading Michigan Warriors coming into Centre ICE Arena for a weekend series that will feature the first 'Purple for a Purpose' event in the series opener on Saturday.

Port Huron, which managed just six wins in 58 tries in its inaugural season, is off to a flying start in 2011-12, skating to a 3-1-2 mark after splitting a weekend set against Kalamazoo. The Fighting Falcons began their resurgence toward the end of last season, and the momentum - plus a full off-season of player selection and roster development - has carried over into the early offing.

"They've experienced, without a doubt, the biggest turnaround in the league," said Traverse City head coach Chad Fournier. "Last year they didn't have draft picks or tenders and didn't have a full summer of camps to put their team together. They handled us pretty well in the preseason (a 5-2 Falcons' victory), and I think everyone saw at the NAHL Showcase that they're going to be a team to contend with this year. They might even be among the favorites to take the (North) division."

Michigan - which bounced TC from the 2011 Robertson Cup playoffs in four games - comes into the weekend on a roll, leading the North with a 5-0-1 mark after a deep postseason run that ended with a national championship game berth.

"They're good once again," said Fournier. "We've had some great games with them over the years going back to when they were in Marquette, and they have the coaching and all the pieces to make another run."

Saturday is also an exciting first for the North Stars - who have fashioned a quick start of their own, going 3-0-1 at the NAHL Showcase - who will don special purple jerseys for 'Purple for a Purpose', and event that benefits the Women's Resource Center for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The jerseys will be auctioned off - courtesy of Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings - and several area businesses have donated an exciting array of goods and services for silent auction. There's also a Skate with the Stars after the contest.

"It's great to be able to use our platform for a cause as important as domestic violence," Fournier offered. "We've always tried to be contributing members of the community, and we've been fortunate to be able to partner with organizations such as the Women's Resource Center that do so much good for so many families in our area and beyond. It's one of our region's strengths that we have so many caring people who get behind these causes, and we're proud to be a part of that."

UPDATE: Traverse City's Jared Van Wormer named Stars' captain

WHAT: 2011-12 Home opener

WHO: Traverse City North Stars vs. Port Huron Fighting Falcons

WHEN: Wed., Sept. 28 - 6:35 p.m.

WHERE: Centre ICE Arena

TICKETS:

$8 online at traversecitynorthstars.com or at the door



North American Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2011


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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