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OHL Saginaw Spirit

What's New with the Saginaw Spirit

September 23, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


SAGINAW, MI - The new hockey season starts Thursday for the Saginaw Spirit, as they faceoff against the Flint Firebirds in the Coors Light 1-75 Divide. With the coming of a new hockey season brings new changes and new events to the Spirit and the Dow Event Center. Mark the calendar and join the Spirit in celebrating what's new for the 2015-16 hockey season.

The 2015-16 regular season kicks off at the Dow Event Center on Thursday, September 24, 2015 as the Saginaw Spirit welcomes the Flint Firebirds for the first time in Great Lakes Bay Region hockey history. Puck is scheduled to drop between the two Michigan rivals at 7:05 p.m. Join us before the game for the I-75 Divide Fan Fest at The First Merit Bank Event Park starting at 5:00 p.m., for food and live music by Mandi Layne and the Lost Highway.

As fans settle into their seats at the Dow Event Center for a Saginaw Spirit game this season, new high tech lights will be displayed as part of the pre-game light show. Along with the new light show comes a digital 50/50 system for Spirit fans. Those who are attending the game will be able to watch the 50/50 dollars grow as tickets are sold throughout the game.

The last Saturday of every month is Super Saturday Chuck a Puck at the Dow Event Center. Adults attending the game are able to purchase an orange colored puck to win a special grand prize as a part of the Spirit festivities.

The Dow Event Center is offering new concession stand options for the 2015-16 season. Fans can enjoy a new cold, grilled chicken Caesar wrap, fully loaded nachos and hot dogs, popcorn, pop and candy. More craft beer options will also be available in the Blue Line Club.

Spirit fans that are unable to head out to the Dow Event Center for a hockey game can catch the action on WNEM My5 for a live TV broadcast of the game. Live broadcast dates are to be determined. All 68 games will also be available for Spirit fans in Ontario via the Rogers OHL Action Pak.

Specialty Nights

This fall the Saginaw Spirit will be celebrating their annual Pink Out Breast Cancer Awareness game at the Dow Event Center. St. Mary's of Michigan and Consumers Energy presents the Pink Out on Saturday, October 10, 2015, as the Spirit face off against the Peterborough Petes in their Pink Out jerseys, which will be auctioned off immediately following the game.

The annual Education Day will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2015, as the Saginaw Spirit and Flint Firebirds entertain students from the Great Lakes Bay Region at the Dow Event Center. The game is set to begin at 10:45 a.m.

After the new-year the ninth edition of the Pulse3 and Saginaw Spirit Shocks and Saves Charity will take place at the Dow to create awareness and funding to support sudden cardiac arrest issues. On Saturday, January 30, 2015 various participants will take the ice for the annual Shocks and Saves charity game before the Saginaw Spirit take on the Kitchener Rangers at 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, February 6, 2015 the Saginaw Spirit and McLaren Bay Medical present Mental Health Awareness Night at the Dow Event Center. The second annual event takes place in order to bring light to mental health issues and bring an end to the stigma that surrounds them. The Saginaw Spirit will face off against the Sudbury Wolves at 7:05 p.m.

Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan and the Saginaw Spirit will partner up Saturday, March 12, 2015, for the annual Hockey for the Homeless game. The Saginaw Spirit and London Knights match up at the Dow Event Center at 7:05 p.m. The specialty jerseys worn by the Spirit players will be auctioned off immediately after the game.

Saginaw Welcomes General Manager Dave Drinkill

The Saginaw Spirit welcomes new General Manager Dave Drinkill to the team this year. Drinkill has worked with the OHL and AHL for more than a decade, taking on a variety of roles within the leagues. Throughout the past nine years Drinkill has worked with the Barrie Colts, serving his last four years as the Assistant General Manager. This is the first opportunity for Dave Drinkill as a general manager in the OHL.

The Saginaw Spirit welcomes General Manager Dave Drinkill and his championship attitude to the team this season.

Youth and Experience lead Spirit into 2015-16.

Last season, the Saginaw Spirit became the youngest team to make the OHL playoffs in the history of the league. With last year's unexperienced group accomplishing that feat, expectations are high for the Spirit who have made the playoffs 12 consecutive seasons, but have failed to make it out of the second round.

This season's group is primed to change that with talent on both ends of the ice. NHL Prospects Dylan Sadowy and Mitchell Stephens are primed for big seasons in the offensive department. The Spirit will have support from Tye Felhaber, who scored 37 points in his rookie campaign, Jesse Barwell, and Artem Artemov. Defensively, the Spirit are led by 6'6" twin towers Keaton Middleton and Markus Niemelainen. Overage addition Will Petschenig will be leaned on heavily to mentor this young group who's supported by veterans Marcus Crawford, Troy Henley, and Greg DiTomaso. In goal, the Spirit bolster Evan Cormier, who is in his draft season. Cormier finished strong last season with the Spirit after being traded from North Bay. His 12-12-1-1 finish helped lead the Spirit into a late Western Conference playoff birth. With the additions of rookies Brady Gilmour, Cole Coskey, and Kirill Maksimov, the Spirit are deep on both ends of the ice, making what hopes to be a memorable season for Saginaw Spirit nation.

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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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