Portland Pirates

Portland Pirates to Raffle off Baxter 12 Pack Tickets to Benefit Lewiston Fire Victims

cknoblock — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:25:12 +0000

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May 17, 2013

Portland Pirates to Raffle off Baxter 12 Pack Tickets to Benefit Lewiston Fire Victims

Portland, Maine – The Portland Pirates, AHL Affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes, will be raffling off 5 pairs (10 total) of Baxter 12 pack tickets for the 2013-14 season to benefit the American Red Cross of Maine as they provide support to the victims of the recent fires in Lewiston. Each entry into the raffle is $5, with all proceeds to go directly to the American Red Cross of Maine.

“Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the recent fires in Lewiston,” said Brian Petrovek, Managing Owner/CEO of the Pirates. “The Pirates have built a loyal, passionate fan base in Lewiston, and we are glad to support the city and people of Lewiston, especially those who have been displaced, as they begin their recovery.”

Raffle tickets can be purchased online here until May 31^st, 2013. The 5 winners will be drawn on June 3^rd and notified via email.

The Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston recently served as a Red Cross shelter for those affected by the fires. The Pirates will play their first 12 games of the 2013-14 season at the Colisée after playing 6 games at the Colisée in 2012-13. The Pirates posted a 5-1 record in front of 5 sold out crowds at the Colisée during 2012-13. The 2013-14 AHL season will start in October.

TAKE NO PRISONERS
PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Contact:

Chris Knoblock

Director, Communications and Media Relations

(207) 828-4665 ext. 310

Crunch Defeat Pirates in Overtime, Sweep Series

cknoblock — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:31:43 +0000

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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Crunch Defeat Pirates in Overtime, Sweep Series

Syracuse wins series 3-0

Box Score: Click Here!

Photo: Ron Morin

Portland, ME – Ondrej Palat was the overtime hero as the Syracuse Crunch defeated the Portland Pirates 4-3 at the Civic Center, completing the three game sweep of Portland in their Eastern Quarterfinals Series. Pirates goaltender Chad Johnson faced 45 shots on goal in nearly 80 minutes of ice time, but allowed Palat’s game winner with just 16 seconds left in the first overtime.

The Pirates were on the man advantage early, receiving the game’s first power play as a result of a Jean-Philippe Cote interference call at 6:02 of the first period. However, the Crunch had the best scoring chance on the Portland man advantage. Tyler Johnson’s breakaway chance was denied by Pirates’ starter Chad Johnson, who shut the pads in time on a backhand attempt. The Pirates struck on the power play later in the period. After 1:23 of four on four, Alexandre Bolduc stepped out of the box to give the Pirates a man advantage. The Pirates captain, playing in his first game of the series, took a pass from Chris Brown and set up Andy Miele for Miele’s his first of the playoffs at 15:57.

Syracuse needed only three seconds of power play time to even the game. Brown put the Crunch on the power play with an interference call at 6:54 in the second. Dan Sexton won the ensuing face off back to Matt Taormina, who set up Radko Gudas for the one time shot from the blue line. Gudas beat Chad Johnson for his first of the playoffs at 6:57. The Crunch had a chance to take the lead shortly after, as Mathieu Brodeur was sent off for holding at 7:49. The Pirates penalty kill denied the Crunch from getting a shot on net. After the Pirates failed to capitalize on a power play chance of their own, they found themselves back on the penalty kill as the result of a Michael Stone boarding call at 14:25. This time, it was Chad Johnson coming up big on the penalty kill. Johnson once again denied Crunch forward Tyler Johnson on a breakaway after he had slipped behind the Pirates defense.

Bolduc would give the Pirates the lead early in the third. After taking a feed from Miele and setting up behind the net, Bolduc skated out front and squeezed a shot through the pads of Desjardins 19 seconds into the period. The Pirates later capitalized on what would be their second of three power plays in the period. Nick Johnson tipped a Stone shot, past Desjardins and gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead at 10:47 of the third. The Crunch gained momentum as the period went on and turned up the pressure on Chad Johnson. Mike Angelidis finished off a three on two rush with J.T. Wyman and Mark Barberio to bring the Syracuse within one. The Crunch captain beat Johnson just under his glove for his first of the postseason at 13:59. Syracuse would pull Desjardins with just under 2 minutes to go, and their sustained pressure in the Pirates end as the paid off with the tying goal as Brett Connolly found Ondrej Palat for a one timer on the top of the crease with just 1:12 remaining in regulation.

Overtime saw both teams get quality chances to end the game. Chad Johnson made some key saves, keeping the season alive for Portland. The Pirates were outshot 15-4 in the overtime period, and 45-18 total for the game. With just 16.2 seconds left in the overtime period, Palat struck again, picking up a loose rebound off a Taormina shot to end the Pirates’ season, and give the Crunch a 4-3 victory and series sweep.

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Pirates face Crunch in Must Win Game 3

cknoblock — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:52:06 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, May 2^nd, 2013

Pirates face Crunch in Must Win Game 3

Syracuse leads Best of 5 Series 2-0

Scott Thomas Photography

Portland, ME – The Portland Pirates will look to stay alive in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series on Thursday as they take on the Syracuse Crunch at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM for Game 3 of the best of five series, which Syracuse leads 2-0.

Portland jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in Game 1, with Darian Dziurzynski and David Rundblad getting the first period tallies for the Pirates. Syracuse’s Tyler Johnson got the Crunch on the board with a power play goal in the second to cut the Pirates lead to 1, but Portland’s Chris Brown answered back with a tally of his own. Mike Barberio brought Syracuse back within one with another power play tally in the second. Dan Sexton got the equalizer for the Crunch in the third period, and regulation ended in a 3-3 tie. Richard Panik scored the game winner in the extra frame on the power play, the third power play goal of the night for the Crunch, to give Syracuse the win and the 1-0 series advantage.

In Game 2, Syracuse scored four times to take a 4-0 lead, putting the Pirates at an early disadvantage. Despite tallies from Brandon Gormley and Nick Johnson, Portland was unable to come back, and Syracuse finished off game 2 with a 4-2 victory and a 2-0 series advantage.

Portland is 10-13 all-time in elimination games, but have only been swept twice in their history; in 2010 against the Manchester Monarchs and against the St. John’s Flames in 2001. Portland had the longest home winning streak in the AHL this season at a franchise record 8 games, and has a goal differential of +20 on home ice. Syracuse was one of the best road teams in the AHL, posting a 24-10-2-2 record, while Portland posted one of the best home records at 24-11-2-1.

Tonight’s game can be heard on AM 1310 WLOB, online at portlandpiratesradio.com, and on AHL Live. The radio pregame show starts at 6:40 with the voice of the Pirates, Jeff Mannix. Tonight’s game will also be broadcast on Time Warner Cable TWC-TV, which is channel 9 or 21 in Maine.

WHAT: Game 3, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Series (Syracuse leads 2-0)

WHO: Portland Pirates vs. Syracuse Crunch

WHERE: Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, ME

WHEN: 7:00 PM EDT (6:40 Pregame show)

RADIO/TV/WEB: AM 1310 WLOB, PortlandPiratesRadio.com, AHL Live, TWC-TV

TAKE NO PRISONERS

PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Pirates Sign Mathieu Brisebois to Amateur Tryout Contract

cknoblock — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:56:37 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 30, 2013

Pirates Sign Mathieu Brisebois to Amateur Tryout Contract

Portland, Maine – Phoenix Coyotes Assistant General Manager and Portland Pirates General Manager Brad Treliving announced today that the Portland Pirates have defenseman Mathieu Brisebois to an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO).

Brisebois, a 5 foot 11, 180 pound native of Mont St.-Hilaire, had been with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 64 games for Rouyn-Noranda this season, Brisebois scored 19 goals and tallied 54 assists for 73 points to lead all QMJHL defensemen. Brisebois also tallied 3 goals and 12 assists in 14 games during the playoffs. Brisebois started his QMJHL career with the Lewiston MAINEiacs, playing 31 games in Lewiston during the 2009-10 season.

Brisebois was signed to a three year entry-level contract by the Phoenix Coyotes on March 6^th, 2013

Tickets are available for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Syracuse Crunch and the Portland Pirates on Thursday, May 2^nd by calling the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office at 207-775-3458.

TAKE NO PRISONERS
PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Contact:

Chris Knoblock

Director, Communications and Media Relations

(207) 828-4665 ext. 310

Crunch Down Pirates 4 – 2

cknoblock — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:32:43 +0000

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Sunday, April 28, 2013

Crunch Down Pirates 4 – 2

Syracuse leads best of five series 2-0

Box Score: Click Here!

Scott Thomas Photography

Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Crunch scored the first 4 goals of the game and held on to defeat the Portland Pirates 4-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Portland now faces elimination as they return to the Cumberland County Civic Center down 0-2 in the series. Game 3 is Thursday in Portland at 7:00 PM.

Ondrej Palat opened the scoring for the Crunch, breaking a scoreless tie in 4 on 4 action at the 9:33 mark of the first. Palat’s goal was assisted by Tyler Johnson and Matt Taormina. J.T. Brown scored just over a minute later at the 10:41 mark of the first to give the Crunch a 2-0 lead. While Portland opened with the first 4 shots of the game, Syracuse tallied 9 of the next 10 shots, and finished the period with a 12-7 shot advantage.

Syracuse extended their lead in the second. Tyler Johnson had the shorthanded goal for the Crunch on a Dmitry Korobov penalty that carried over from the first period just 49 seconds into the second frame to give Syracuse a 3-0 lead. Brett Connolly then extended the lead to 4-0 with a tally that came with 5:24 left in the second. A massive scrum broke out at the next stoppage of play, which saw Phil Lane and Jean-Philippe Cote pick up fighting majors and Andy Miele and Richard Panik picking up misconducts for secondary altercations. Brandon Gormley got the Pirates on the board with a 4 on 4 tally with 3:10 remaining in the second, with Brendan Shinnimin picking up an assist.

The Pirates would pull closer in the third. Nick Johnson redirected Lucas Lessio’s shot past Cedric Desjardins with 10:20 remaining, cutting Syracuse’s lead to 2. Despite ramped up pressure from the Pirates and numerous power play attempts, the Pirates were unable to capitalize, going 0-8 on the night on the man advantage during the game. With Chad Johnson on the bench with 2:13 left in regulation, the Pirates controlled the Syracuse offensive zone, but Desjardins stood tall to close out the win for the Crunch.

Chad Johnson stopped 20 of the 25 shots he faced in the loss, while Desjardins stopped 12 of 14. Neither team scored on the power play during the game, with Syracuse going 0-6 and Portland going 0-8.

The series moves to Portland for Game 3, which will be Thursday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Puck drop set for 7:00 PM as the Pirates look to extend the series. Tickets are available for Thursday’s game by calling the Civic Center Box Office at (207) 775-3458. Group tickets are available by calling the Pirates office at (207) 828-4665 ext. 350.

The pregame show starts Thursday at 6:40 with Jeff Mannix. Thursday’s game can be heard on WPEI 95.5 and 95.9, online on PortlandPiratesRadio.com, and on AHL Live. Thursday’s game will also be televised on Time Warner Cable TWC-TV, which is channel 9 or 21 in Maine.

TAKE NO PRISONERS

PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Game 2 Preview: Pirates Look to Tie Up Crunch

cknoblock — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:14:02 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sunday, April 28^th, 2013

Pirates Look to Tie Up Crunch

Syracuse leads Best of 5 Series 1-0

Scott Thomas Photography

Portland, ME – The Portland Pirates will look to even their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series on Sunday as they take on the Syracuse Crunch at the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse, NY. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM for Game 2 of the best of five series, which Syracuse leads 1-0 by virtue of their 4-3 overtime victory in Game 1.

Portland had not lost Game 1 of a playoff series since the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs, when they were swept in 4 games by the Manchester Monarchs. Portland is 2-4 in their last six Game 2 appearances, but have won 3 of their last 5 first round series. Portland has not lost Game 2 on the road in the first round since the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs. Syracuse was defeated by the St. John’s IceCaps 4-3 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series last year, which took place at the War Memorial.

Tonight’s game can be heard on AM 1310 WLOB, online at portlandpiratesradio.com, and on AHL Live. Pregame show starts at 7:10 with the voice of the Pirates, Jeff Mannix. Tonight’s game will also be broadcast on Time Warner Cable TWC-TV, which is channel 9 or 21 in Maine.

WHAT: Game 2, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Series (Syracuse leads 1-0)

WHO: Portland Pirates vs. Syracuse Crunch

WHERE: Onondaga War Memorial Arena, Syracuse NY

WHEN: 7:30 PM EDT (7:10 Pregame show)

RADIO/TV/WEB: AM 1310 WLOB, PortlandPiratesRadio.com, AHL Live, TWC-TV

TAKE NO PRISONERS

PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Crunch Sink Pirates in Overtime 4-3

cknoblock — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:14:52 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Crunch Sink Pirates in Overtime 4-3

Syracuse leads series 1-0

Box Score: Click Here!

Scott Thomas Photography

Syracuse, NY – The Portland Pirates took an early 2-0 lead, but the Syracuse Crunch came roaring back, tying the game in the third period and getting the game winning goal from Richard Panik in overtime to defeat the Pirates 4-3. Syracuse takes a 1-0 series lead in the best of 5 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.

After a scoreless first half of the first period, Darian Dziurzynski opened the scoring. Dziurzynski beat Syracuse starter Cedric Desjardins on the wraparound after a feed from Ethan Werek for his first playoff goal, giving the Pirates the 1-0 lead with 9:07 left in the first. Portland then used one of their 4 power plays in the first period to extend their lead. After Radko Goudas was called for holding, David Rundblad found the back of the net for the Pirates’ second goal. Rundblad’s goal, which was assisted by Brandon Gormley and Jordan Martinook, came with 2:44 to go in the first. After the first period, Portland led 2-0, with the Pirates putting 15 shots on Desjardins.

Syracuse would close the gap during the penalty filled second. After a Maxim Goncharov holding penalty, AHL MVP Tyler Johnson got the Crunch on the board with 13:23 left in the second. Johnson’s goal was assisted Richard Panik and Ondrej Palat. The Pirates extended their lead back to 2 as Chris Brown slipped the puck through Desjardins’ legs exactly 2 minutes later.! Phil Lane and Andy Miele had the assists on Brown’s goal, which came at 11:37. However, the Pirates went down two men after penalties to Evan Brophey and Brendan McMillan, and the Crunch responded. Mark Barberio brought the Crunch back within 1 with the goal at 13:32 of the second. The Pirates and Crunch combined for 11 penalties during the second period.

The Crunch got the equalizer in the third. Dan Sexton put the puck past Chad Johnson with 12:06 left in regulation, with Andrej Sustr and Philip-Michael Devos picking up assists. Johnson would keep the score level for the remainder of the period, and regulation ended with a 3-3 tie.

In the overtime frame, Syracuse had a goal disallowed as Tyler Johnson slipped the puck through the side of the Pirates’ net. However, a 5 minute major for elbowing was issued to Boris Valabik after his hit on Brett Connolly. Chad Johnson kept the pirates in the game with another set of big saves, but the Crunch’s Richard Panik broke through 6:36 into the extra frame to give Syracuse the win and the series lead.

The Crunch take a 1-0 lead in the best of 5 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series. Cedric Desjardins gets the win, stopping 28 of 31 shots, while Chad Johnson takes the loss for the Pirates, making 35 saves on 39 shots. Portland was assessed 13 penalties in the contest, while the Crunch were issued 8.

Game 2 will be tomorrow night at the War Memorial, with the puck drop set for 7:30 PM. Pregame show starts at 7:10 with Jeff Mannix. Tomorrow’s game can be heard on WPEI 95.5 and 95.9, online on PortlandPiratesRadio.com, and on AHL Live. Tomorrow’s game will also be televised on Time Warner Cable TWC-TV, which is channel 9 or 21 in Maine.

TAKE NO PRISONERS

PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Pirates Look to Crunch Syracuse in Playoff Opener

cknoblock — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:24:09 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Saturday, April 27^th, 2013

Pirates Look to Crunch Syracuse in Playoff Opener

Portland, ME – The Portland Pirates open their first playoff series since 2011 tonight as they travel to Syracuse to face the Crunch in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM from the Onondaga War Memorial Arena. This will be the first of a five game series between the 3^rd seed Crunch and the 6^th seed Pirates. These two teams have never faced off in the playoffs before, but the Pirates lead Syracuse in the all-time head to head matchups with a record of 10-6-0.

The Pirates lost their last battle of the season 4-1 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena. Portland finished the season at 41-30-3-2 giving them the 2^nd in the Atlantic Division and 6^thspot in the Eastern Conference. The Pirates were led by consistent play from forward Andy Miele, who finished the regular season with 53 points to lead the team. Forward Alexandre Bolduc, currently on recall with the Phoenix Coyotes, had 51 points in 56 games played to finish 2^nd on the team in points, while Chris Brown led the AHL in goals as a rookie with 29.

The Syracuse Crunch lost their final game of the season by a 5-1 score against the Binghamton Senators on their home ice. Syracuse had a strong season, finishing with a record of 43-22-6-5 to win the East Division and lock up the 3^rd seed in the Eastern Conference. The Crunch were led by AHL MVP Tyler Johnson, who finished the season with 65 points in 62 games, and Brett Connolly who finished with 63 points in 71 games. Johnson finished 8^th in the AHL in scoring, while Connolly was right behind in 9^th.

The Pirates have not faced the Syracuse Crunch since 2010, when the Pirates were affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres and the Crunch were affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Syracuse defeated Portland 4-3 in a controversial game on March 6^th, 2010 in their last meeting. The Pirates and Crunch have not met in the playoffs during their respective histories.

This is the first playoff appearance for the Pirates since the 2010-11 season, and the first appearance by a Phoenix Coyotes affiliate since 2008. Portland is 70-68 all time in the postseason, with their lone Calder Cup Championship coming in their inaugural 1993-94 season.

Tonight’s game can be heard on AM 1310 WLOB, online at portlandpiratesradio.com, and on AHL Live. Pregame show starts at 7:10 with the voice of the Pirates, Jeff Mannix.

WHAT: Game 1, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Series (Best of 5)

WHO: Portland Pirates vs. Syracuse Crunch

WHERE: Onondaga War Memorial Arena, Syracuse NY

WHEN: 7:30 PM EDT (7:10 Pregame show)

RADIO/WEB: AM 1310 WLOB, PortlandPiratesRadio.com, AHL Live

TAKE NO PRISONERS

PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Time Warner Cable to Broadcast Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Series between Portland and Syracuse

cknoblock — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:35:49 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 25, 2013

Time Warner Cable to Broadcast Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Series between Portland and Syracuse

Games 2 through 5 to Air on TWC-TV in Maine

Portland, Maine – Time Warner Cable has announced that they will air Games 2 through 5 of the American Hockey League Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series between the Portland Pirates and Syracuse Crunch. TWC-TV is found on channel 9 in Maine. Time Warner has broadcasted 6 regular season games this season for the Pirates, including the 2013 Hall of Fame Induction of Jeff Nelson on March 9^th, and the regular season finale against the Connecticut Whale on April 20^th. Dan D’Uva, the voice of the Syracuse Crunch, will be the voice of games 2 and 5, while Jeff Mannix, the voice of the Pirates, and Javier Gorreti will provide the commentary for games 3 and 4 of the series while being simulcast on WPEI 95.5 and 95.9 FM.

Portland Pirates (6) vs. Syracuse Crunch (3) – Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Game 1 – Saturday, Apr. 27, 7:30 p.m. War Memorial Arena

Game 2 – Sunday, Apr. 28, 7:30 p.m., War Memorial Arena

Game 3 – Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m., Cumberland County Civic Center

Game 4 – Friday, May 3, 7 p.m., Cumberland County Civic Center (if necessary)

Game 5 – Sunday, May 5, 7:30 p.m., War Memorial Arena (if necessary)

Syracuse will host the first two games of the best of five quarterfinal series, starting on Saturday, April 27^th at the War Memorial at Oncenter in Syracuse with a 7:30 pm puck drop. Game 2 will also be at the War Memorial at Oncenter on Sunday, April 28^th, starting at 7:30 pm. Game 3 will take place at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland on Thursday, May 2^ndat 7 pm. If necessary, Game 4 would be played at the Civic Center on Friday, May 3^rd at 7 pm. A decisive Game 5 would move back to the War Memorial at Oncenter on Sunday, May 5^th with a 7:30 pm face off.

The Pirates will play all home playoff games at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tickets for the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals are on sale now at the Civic Center Box Office by calling (207) 775-3458. Adult Main and Quarter Deck tickets for the first round of the playoffs are $17. Youth/Senior/Student tickets are just $15 per game for the first round. Premium Deck tickets are $20 for any seat. Order your tickets now and save the $1 per seat day of game charge. Group tickets are also available at a special rate.

2013-14 Pirates Season Tickets are on sale now! Reserve your season seats for games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée with the Baxter 12 Pack, and choose either Portland 26 Game Plan or the Pick 16 Plan for games at the newly renovated Cumberland County Civic Center! For more information or to order season tickets, call (207) 828-4665 ext. 350.

TAKE NO PRISONERS
PORTLANDPIRATES.COM

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Contact:

Chris Knoblock

Director, Communications and Media Relations

(207) 828-4665 ext. 310

Portland Pirates Announce 20th Anniversary All-Time Team

cknoblock — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:13:22 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 22, 2013

Portland Pirates Announce 20^th Anniversary All-Time Team

Click here to download the 20^th Anniversary All-Time Team Poster!

Portland, Maine – The Portland Pirates today announced their 20^th Anniversary All-Time Team as chosen by a fan vote that took place during the month of February. Each team, first and second, consists of a head coach, 3 forwards, 2 defensemen, and a goaltender.

The 20^th Anniversary All-Time First Team consists of forwards Alexandre Bolduc, Brad Church, and Kent Hulst, with defensemen Steve Poapst and Sergei Gonchar and goaltender Olaf Kolzig rounding out the team. The first team head coach is Barry Trotz. The 20^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team features forwards Andrew Brunette, Jeff Nelson, and Trent Whitfield, defensemen Patrick Boileau and Marc-Andre Gragnani, as well as goaltender Jhonas Enroth. Kevin Dineen is the second team head coach.

Alexandre Bolduc led all voting for the all-time team, and is the only current Pirate to be named to the all-time team. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Bolduc is in his second season with the Pirates and currently serves as the Pirates Captain. Bolduc leads the team with 51 points on the season (24 goals, 27 assists). A veteran of 8 AHL seasons, Bolduc has played in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks and the Phoenix Coyotes.

Kent Hulst, a native of St. Thomas, Ontario, played 8 seasons for the Pirates. Hulst holds the Pirates record for career goals with 147 as well as the record for career points with 360 and games played with 473. Hulst holds the record for game winning goals with 19, is second in career power play goals with 47, and is third in assists with 213. Currently the head coach of the Portland Junior Pirates, Hulst entered the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2002.

Brad Church was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2012 after playing 281 games for the Pirates over 6 seasons with the Pirates. Church, who currently serves as the General Manager of the Portland Junior Pirates, won the Pirates 1999-2000 Unsung Hero award and register-red 40 goals and 64 assists in his Pirates career to go with 402 penalty minutes. Church played- in 2 NHL games, both with the Washington Capitals.

Steve Poapst led all defensemen in voting for the 20^th Anniversary All-Time Team. A native of Cornwall, Ontario, Poapst appeared in parts of 7 seasons with the Pirates, registering 195 points in 454 games. A veteran of 307 NHL games for the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues, Poapst was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2001.

Sergei Gonchar is the only defenseman on either the 20^th Anniversary First or Second All-Time Team who is still an active player. Gonchar only played parts of 2 season for the Pirates, but they were memorable, as he played 2 games during the 1994 Calder Cup Playoffs and followed his playoff performance with a 42 point season as a defenseman. During the 1994-1995 season, which also saw him play 31 games for the Washington Capitals. Gonchar tallies 10 goals and 32 assists to go with 67 penalty minutes and a +/- rating of 39, good for the Pirates best +/- rating in team history. Gonchar currently plays for the Ottawa Senators and has played more than 1160 NHL games for Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Ottawa.

The 20^th Anniversary All-Time First Team goaltender is Olaf Kolzig. Kolzig, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, spent parts of 4 seasons with the Portland Pirates, appearing in 36 games. Kolzig’s 22 wins is tied for 10^th in Pirates history, and his 4 shutouts are 7^th, Kolzig had a 2.73 Goals Against Average for Portland and won both the Harry “Hap” Holms Award, given to the goaltenders of the team with the lowest goals against average during the season, and the Jack A. Butterfield Award, given to the Playoff MVP, during the Pirates’ inaugural Calder Cup Championship season in 1994. Kolzig was inducted into the Pirates’ Hall of Fame in 2000.

The First Team Head- coach, Barry Trotz, served as the first head coach in Pirate history, compiling a record of 158-109-42-11. Trotz was at the helm of the Pirates’ inaugural Calder Cup Championship season in 1994, winning the 1994 Pieri Award as the AHL Head Coach of the Year. Trotz spent 4 seasons as the Pirates’ skipper before joining the Nashville Predators as their first head coach. Trotz is the only head coach in Nashville history and is currently the longest serving head coach in the NHL. Trotz was inducted into the Pirates’ Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jeff Nelson, the newest Pirates’ Hall of Famer, headlines the Pirates’ 20^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team. Nelson played parts of 5 years with the Pirates, tallying 124 goals (second all time) and 222 assists (second all time). His 346 career points are second only to Kent Hulst’s 360 points. Nelson had 4 hat tricks during his Pirates career, second only to Martin Gendron’s 5, and played in a total of 336 games for Portland. Nelson set the single season points record with 107 during the Pirates’ inaugural Calder Cup Championship season in 1994. Nelson also played 52 NHL games for the Washington Capitals.

Andrew Brunette, the Pirates career leader in power play goals with 51, spent parts of 5 seasons with the Pirates, tallying 110 goals and 224 assists. The 224 career assists are the most all-time for any Pirates player. Brunette led the Pirates in scoring in each of his last three seasons with the Pirates. Brunette would play 1110 games in the NHL, registering 268 goals and 465 assists for 6 different NHL clubs, and was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 1999.

Trent Whitfield is the only forward on either the 20^th Anniversary All-Time First or Second Team who is an active member of another AHL team. The former Pirates captain is the current captain of the Providence Bruins, where he has played for parts of the last 4 seasons. In parts of 7 seasons with the Pirates, Whitfield played in 348 games, registering 102 goals and 153 assists, all good for 4^th all-time in the Pirates record book. Whitfield was named to the 10^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team, and has played in 194 NHL games for Washington, New York (Rangers), St. Louis, and Boston.

Patrick Boileau leads the 20^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team defensemen. Boileau holds the Pirates’ defenseman records for games played (459), goals (63), power play goals (27) game winning goals (8), and points (206). Boileau trails only Steve Poapst in assists with 143 for his Pirates career. A 7 year Pirate veteran, Boileau was named to the 10^th Anniversary All-Time First Team, and went on to play 48 NHL games with the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins before retiring in 2008 after playing 4 seasons outside the US.

Marc-Andre Gragnani is the only active defenseman to make either the 20^th Anniversary All-Time First or Second Teams. Despite only playing parts of 3 seasons with the Pirates, Gragnani racked up 33 goals and 121 assists for 154 points in 205 games played. Gragnani also had 13 power play goals and 2 shorthanded goals for the Pirates. Currently playing for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Gragnani has played in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and Carolina Hurricanes, appearing in 74 games.

Jhonas Enroth was named to the 20^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team after narrowly beating out Pirates Hall of Famer Byron Dafoe. Enroth spent parts of 3 seasons with the Pirates, playing in 147 games. His 74 wins are second all-time in Pirates goaltending history, to go with his 8 shutouts and 4,064 saves. Enroth played 8,598 minutes for Portland, good for second all time, and currently serves as Ryan Miller’s backup in Buffalo. In his NHL Career, Enroth has appeared in 48 games for Buffalo with a 19-16-2 record, good for a .912 save percentage and a 2.78 goals against average.

Kevin Dineen serves as the 20^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team coach. Dineen, the current head coach of the Florida Panthers, served as the head coach of the Pirates from 2005-2011. Dineen’s Pirates teams only missed the playoffs once during his 6 seasons with Portland, compiling a record of 266-155-30-29. Dineen’s 266 wins with the Pirates is the all-time coaching record. Dineen served as head coach of the team under both the Ducks and Sabres affiliations.

The 20^th Anniversary All-Time First Team has 5 Portland Pirates Hall of Famers (Trotz, Church, Hulst, Poapst, Kolzig), while the 20^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team has two (Brunette and Nelson). Both the first team and second team head coaches are current NHL head coaches, with Barry Trotz serving as the head coach of the Nashville Predators and Kevin Dineen coaching the Florida Panthers. Five players (Bolduc, Gonchar, Whitfield, Gragnani, and Enroth) are still active players, with Enroth and Gonchar playing in the NHL. Only one player, Alexandre Bolduc, is still a Portland Pirate, and is currently on recall with the Phoenix Coyotes. Of the players named to the 20^th Anniversary All-Time teams, 8 were named to the Portland Pirates 10^th Anniversary All-Time Team, with Hulst, Church, Nelson, Kolzig, Poapst, Boileau, and Brunette chosen for the 10^th Anniversary All-Time First team and Gonchar and Whitfield members of the 10^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team.

Portland Pirates 20^th Anniversary All-Time First Team:

Head Coach: Barry Trotz

Forwards: Alexandre Bolduc, Brad Church, Kent Hulst

Defensemen: Steve Poapst, Sergei Gonchar

Goaltender: Olaf Kolzig

Portland Pirates 20^th Anniversary All-Time Second Team:

Head Coach: Kevin Dineen

Forwards: Andrew Brunette, Jeff Nelson, Trent Whitfield

Defensemen: Patrick Boileau, Marc-Andre Gragnani

Goaltender: Jhonas Enroth

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