Take 5 with Lewy's Legion - Jaroslav Halak

November 12, 2010 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


Jaroslav Halak hardly needs an introduction to MAINEiacs Nation. Arguably the most successful player to ever don a MAINEiacs jersey, Halak played in Lewiston during the 2004-2005 season. After a stellar 2009-2010 season with the Montreal Canadiens, Halak was traded in a highly publicized move. He now makes his home in St. Louis, wearing #41 as the number one goalie for the Blues. He has not, however, forgotten Lewiston or his friends here. Paul and Pat Spellman recently made the trek to St. Louis to spend time with Halak and to cheer for the Blues.

Lewiston is a long way from St. Louis, and there have been stops between, but Halak remembers arriving in Maine as a 19-year-old. He says the most memorable moment was "the very first night, when I came over to Lewiston to the parking lot in front of the Colisee with no bags - because they got lost on the way. Outside it was pouring rain. Miso Korenko and I hardly spoke any English, and there were strangers (our billet family) waiting out there to take us home!" For the record, Halak and his billets, Steve and Nancy Mennealy, are still great friends.

Interestingly forward David Perron, also of the St. Louis Blues, called Lewiston home during the 2006-2007 MAINEiacs season. When asked how Perron is doing and whether or not they ever compare notes on their QMJHL experience, Halak reports "I think he is doing great, and sometimes we compare notes on what changed and what stayed the same after I left." Halak and Perron must have gotten the same memo regarding success while the Spellmans were visiting, as Perron was the #1 star, Halak the #2 star in a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The following evening, Jaro made 31 saves, earning an overtime victory and the #1 star, as his team blanked Sidney Crosby's Penguins 1-0.

Jaro has also seen success on the world stage, most recently in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. His performance in goal for team Slovakia was electrifying and brought Slovakia to the Bronze Medal Game with Finland. Halak insists the Olympics were more enjoyable than stressful. "It was a big honor and a lot of fun to represent my country and play against the best players in the world." For a guy who has already been twice named to the NHL's Three Stars of the Week this season, his opponents no doubt consider him one of the best in the world.

As for staying connected with loved ones overseas, Halak sees them on Skype during the hockey season, but "In the off season, I am always trying to spend some quality time in Slovakia to see my family and friends." We MAINEiacs fans graciously thank Jaroslav Halak for making time for us, and we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments!

On the season so far, Halak continues to impress. He currently holds an 8-2-2 record with a 1.79 goals against average and a .932 save percentage.

A sincere thank you to Paul Spellman for making this possible.

- by Sarah Alto

THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS

THE MAINEiacs HONOR YOU!

"God of life and death, thank you for the sacrifice of so many for the safety of our country.May we continue to honor our veterans and their service for many years to come, and never let them be forgotten."

VETERANS APPRECIATION GAME THIS SUNDAY

Our special event will include: an honorary puck drop by veterans, announcement to have our veterans and military personnel stand and be recognized, veterans outreach representatives, informational tables and recruiting stations, and military themed intermission games! We look forward to having representatives from all military branches!

As a special thank you, any person with military I.D. can purchase any number of tickets for just $8.00 when presented to the box office!

For more details, please contact Amanda, at aflint@lewistonhockey.com or dial (207) 333-3267 ext.204!

COMMUNITY MAINEiacs

TONIGHT from 5:00-7:00pm, the team will be appearing at Center court in the Auburn Mall for a 2-hour autograph session. The MAINEiacs would like to thank the following Auburn Mall businesses for their partnership and support of this event:

Cards-R-IN

Rick's Movies & More

Thatcher's Restaurant

Super Shoes

Percy's Burrow

Photo Finish

MAINEiacs goaltender Nick Champion

& Team Captain Cameron Critchlow

MOvember: Week 2 Update

Next week is perhaps the most important week in the entire month. Not only is it a time where those with a distracted mind can lose focus, but it's where you can make it a good game or a great game. This is where you decide if you're going to celebrate mediocrity, or lead forth and make this a Movember to remember. It's time to sharpen your fundraising skills, polish off your men's health chat, book yourself in for a mid-month meeting with your barber, or, if one of our Mo Sistas, keep your boys focussed on the finish line. Our message to you is; dig deep, stand tall, lift and shine. If you need added incentive, check in daily with our Movember News Page to see what's happening on local soil and around the world, all in the name of men's health.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO SUPPORT PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS

MOvember.com

GET YOUR MOVEMBER 10 + 4 FLEX TICKET PACKAGE TODAY

10 FLEX TICKETS (for ANY November games) for $100

and get 4 additional flex tickets FREE

Call Amanda Flint for details! 207-333-3267 x 204

MAINEiacs MOvember Home Schedule

Sat Nov 13 - BAIE-COMEAU 7:00 PM

Sun Nov 14 - BAIE-COMEAU 4:00 PM

Wed Nov 24 - CHICOUTIMI 7:00 PM

Fri Nov 26 - MONCTON 7:00 PM

MAINEiacs Next 5 Games:

Sat 11/13 vs. Baie-Comeau 7:00 PM

Sun 11/14 vs. Baie-Comeau 4:00 PM

Fri 11/19 at Quebec 7:00 PM

Sat 11/20 at Shawinigan 4:00 PM

Sun 11/21 at Quebec 3:00 PM



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2010


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