The error-riddled pocket schedules (featuring several games against those despised "Dayon" Gems) are now available, and they do include a good bit of promotional info for the 2011-12 home schedule.
For die-hard puck-heads, the biggest news is that the Stanley Cup (yes THAT Stanley Cup) may be making an appearance in Evansville this season. This is still tentative based on NHL scheduling and approval, but the IceMen and the CHL are working together to try to make it happen. The team has left a handful of home dates promotion-free for now, in the hopes that the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame will indeed bring the Cup to the Tri-State. It's no guarantee and if it does happen, the date is TBD at this point. But I'd bet there's a pretty good chance it'll happen, because the organization probably wouldn't be promoting it in any way if it was a long shot. Friggin' cool, eh?
UPDATE: The Stanley Cup WILL be coming to town - on January 8th!
Anyhoo, here are some other highlights...
• At the home opener on Sat. Nov. 5, the first 1500 fans through the doors will receive commemorative pucks courtesy of Fifth Third Bank. There will also be a Street Party.
• Youth jersey giveaways (or "give-a-ways" according to the schedules) will be held on Sun. Nov. 13 and Wed. Feb. 8. Sponsored by Coca-Cola, for the first 1000 kids each night.
• Five sets of collectible IceMen player cards (sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings) will be given to the first 1000 fans on Fri. Nov. 18, Sun. Dec. 11, Sat. Jan. 14, Sun. Feb. 19, and Fri. Mar. 2.
• So far, the only post-game jersey auction scheduled is Sun. Jan. 8, which is the only Sunday game that will start at 7:15 PM. It's also McDonald's Night and Ronald McDonald House Night, which makes me wonder if the to-be-auctioned jerseys will be some sort of special Ronald McDonald inspired design. If that's the case, let's just hope they're not as hideous as the uniforms the Kalamazoo Wings were forced to wear a few years ago!
• For the first time, the IceMen will hold a "Pack the House Night" on Sat. Jan. 14 when the Fort Wayne Komets come to town. I've been trying to get them to do this since the first AAHL season. Pick a Saturday game against a marquee opponent, throw in some cool promotions, plug it like crazy all season and try to pack the building. Well, it's finally going to happen. And oh yeah, in addition to Card Set #3, it's Star Wars Night too...
• ...and Sat. Jan. 14 is ALSO Boy Scout Night. The team will later hold Girl Scout Night on Fri. Mar. 2. In between will be another kid-friendly promotion - the first-annual Education Day Game on Wed. Feb. 22, with a special 10:30 AM start time.
• Returning charity games include Pink the Rink Night (Fri. Nov. 18), the awesome Teddy Bear Toss for 911 Gives Hope (Fri. Dec. 16), Guns & Hoses Night (Fri. Feb. 10), Heart Night (Sun. Feb. 19), and the always-popular Military Appreciation Night (Fri. Mar. 2).
• Also returning are White Out Night (Sun. Dec. 4), Mascot Night (Sun. Dec. 11), and Win-A-Car Night (Tue. Dec. 27).
• The Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders will make an appearance on Sat. Feb. 25. I suppose it says a lot about my level of hockey fandom when I can honestly say that, even though I'm a heterosexual male and a huge Colts fan, I'm more excited about the Stanley Cup. And it's not even close.
• The regular season concludes on Fri. Mar. 23 with Fan Appreciation Night and Player Awards Night. Details TBA, but it's a safe bet that some sort of giveaway will take place.
That's pretty much it for now. Lots of good stuff planned, and well in advance for once.
So which promotions will make you mark your calendars?
CHRONOLOGICAL PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE:
(Last Updated on March 20)
Sat. Nov. 5 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Opening Night, Logo Puck Giveaway, ZOOperstars, Pre-Game Street Party
Sun. Nov. 13 (5:00 PM) vs DAY:
Youth Jersey Giveaway (1st 1000 kids)
Thu. Nov. 17 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Magnet Schedule Giveaway, Turkey Shoot
Fri. Nov. 18 (7:15 PM) vs MIZ:
Pink the Rink Night, Ladies Night
Sun. Dec. 4 (5:00 PM) vs BLM:
Player Card Set #1 (1st 1000 fans), White-Out Night, Post-Game Skate
Fri. Dec. 9 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
Harley Davidson Jersey Auction, Scout Night
Sun. Dec. 11 (5:00 PM) vs BLM:
Player Card Set #2 (1st 1000 fans), Mascot Night
Fri. Dec. 16 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Teddy Bear Toss for 911 Gives Hope
Sun. Dec. 18 (5:00 PM) vs MIZ:
Coats-for-Kids Day
Fri. Dec. 23 (7:15 PM) vs TEX:
Christmas Costume Night
Tue. Dec. 27 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
Win-A-Car Night, Post-Game Skate for Season Ticket Holders
Fri. Dec. 30 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Hog Night, featuring some sort of unspecified competition between local football teams
Sat. Dec. 31 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
Ring in the New Year with the IceMen ($12 lower bowl tickets plus free 2012 glasses/hats/noisemakers)
Also, a "Mashed Potato Toss" - whatever that is!
Tue. Jan. 3 (7:15 PM) vs QC:
$2 Hot Dog Night
Sun. Jan. 8 (7:15 PM) vs BLM:
Ronald McDonald House Jersey Auction (proceeds to the RMH of Evansville)
Plus, THE STANLEY CUP will be in the house! ($15 for an 8x10 photo with it)
Sat. Jan. 14 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Player Card Set #3 (1st 1000 fans), Boy Scout Night
Star Wars Night (Characters in attendance and games benefitting the National Kidney Foundation)
Pack the House Night (Sell Out the Ford Center!)
Fri. Jan. 20 (7:15 PM) vs QC:
College Night (Discount tickets with valid Student ID)
Sun. Jan. 22 (5:00 PM) vs TUL:
No Promotion
Thu. Jan. 26 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
"Seize the Deal" Night (Half-price tickets available HERE)
Fri. Jan. 27 (7:15 PM) vs BLM:
Performance by the Russian Bar Trio; College Night (Discount tickets with valid Student ID)
Fri. Feb. 3 (7:15 PM) vs RC:
Faith Night (Discount tickets for church groups, plus a performance by Christian band Stellar Kart)
Sat. Feb. 4 (7:15 PM) vs RC:
Appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants
Wed. Feb. 8 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Youth Jersey Giveaway (1st 1000 kids - same jersey as 11/13 but with different sponsors on the back)
Fri. Feb. 10 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
Guns & Hoses Jersey Auction (partial proceeds to 911 Gives Hope)
Report Card Night ("A" on report card = free youth ticket with adult ticket purchase)
Sun. Feb. 19 (5:00 PM) vs ARZ:
Player Card Set #4 (1st 1000 fans), Heart Night
Wed. Feb. 22 (10:30 AM) vs ARZ:
Education Day Game
Fri. Feb. 24 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
New Hope Animal Rescue (Henderson) Pet Adoption Night, Girl Scout Night, Decal Giveaway
Also featuring a performance by juggler Albert Lucas
Sat. Feb. 25 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Appearance and performances by the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders (autographs and photos available)
Wed. Feb. 29 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
Post-Game Skate for Season Ticket Holders & Kids Club Members
Fri. Mar. 2 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
Girl Scout Night, Military Appreciation Night (discount tickets with ID)
Sun. Mar. 4 (5:00 PM) vs BLM:
Child Abuse Prevention Night
Start of 3-game Silent Jersey Auction to benefit Mended Little Hearts
Wed. Mar. 21 (7:15 PM) vs MIZ:
Player Card Set #5 (1st 1000 fans)
Night #2 of 3-game Silent Jersey Auction to benefit Mended Little Hearts
Fri. Mar. 23 (7:15 PM) vs QC:
Fan Appreciation Night, Player Awards Night
Hockey Stick Giveaway (1st 1000 kids), Free Team Photos, Return of the ZOOperstars, Post-Game Skate
End of 3-game Silent Jersey Auction to benefit Mended Little Hearts
End of season-long jersey raffle
For die-hard puck-heads, the biggest news is that the Stanley Cup (yes THAT Stanley Cup) may be making an appearance in Evansville this season. This is still tentative based on NHL scheduling and approval, but the IceMen and the CHL are working together to try to make it happen. The team has left a handful of home dates promotion-free for now, in the hopes that the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame will indeed bring the Cup to the Tri-State. It's no guarantee and if it does happen, the date is TBD at this point. But I'd bet there's a pretty good chance it'll happen, because the organization probably wouldn't be promoting it in any way if it was a long shot. Friggin' cool, eh?
UPDATE: The Stanley Cup WILL be coming to town - on January 8th!
Anyhoo, here are some other highlights...
• At the home opener on Sat. Nov. 5, the first 1500 fans through the doors will receive commemorative pucks courtesy of Fifth Third Bank. There will also be a Street Party.
• Youth jersey giveaways (or "give-a-ways" according to the schedules) will be held on Sun. Nov. 13 and Wed. Feb. 8. Sponsored by Coca-Cola, for the first 1000 kids each night.
• Five sets of collectible IceMen player cards (sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings) will be given to the first 1000 fans on Fri. Nov. 18, Sun. Dec. 11, Sat. Jan. 14, Sun. Feb. 19, and Fri. Mar. 2.
• So far, the only post-game jersey auction scheduled is Sun. Jan. 8, which is the only Sunday game that will start at 7:15 PM. It's also McDonald's Night and Ronald McDonald House Night, which makes me wonder if the to-be-auctioned jerseys will be some sort of special Ronald McDonald inspired design. If that's the case, let's just hope they're not as hideous as the uniforms the Kalamazoo Wings were forced to wear a few years ago!
• For the first time, the IceMen will hold a "Pack the House Night" on Sat. Jan. 14 when the Fort Wayne Komets come to town. I've been trying to get them to do this since the first AAHL season. Pick a Saturday game against a marquee opponent, throw in some cool promotions, plug it like crazy all season and try to pack the building. Well, it's finally going to happen. And oh yeah, in addition to Card Set #3, it's Star Wars Night too...
• ...and Sat. Jan. 14 is ALSO Boy Scout Night. The team will later hold Girl Scout Night on Fri. Mar. 2. In between will be another kid-friendly promotion - the first-annual Education Day Game on Wed. Feb. 22, with a special 10:30 AM start time.
• Returning charity games include Pink the Rink Night (Fri. Nov. 18), the awesome Teddy Bear Toss for 911 Gives Hope (Fri. Dec. 16), Guns & Hoses Night (Fri. Feb. 10), Heart Night (Sun. Feb. 19), and the always-popular Military Appreciation Night (Fri. Mar. 2).
• Also returning are White Out Night (Sun. Dec. 4), Mascot Night (Sun. Dec. 11), and Win-A-Car Night (Tue. Dec. 27).
• The Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders will make an appearance on Sat. Feb. 25. I suppose it says a lot about my level of hockey fandom when I can honestly say that, even though I'm a heterosexual male and a huge Colts fan, I'm more excited about the Stanley Cup. And it's not even close.
• The regular season concludes on Fri. Mar. 23 with Fan Appreciation Night and Player Awards Night. Details TBA, but it's a safe bet that some sort of giveaway will take place.
That's pretty much it for now. Lots of good stuff planned, and well in advance for once.
So which promotions will make you mark your calendars?
CHRONOLOGICAL PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE:
(Last Updated on March 20)
Sat. Nov. 5 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Opening Night, Logo Puck Giveaway, ZOOperstars, Pre-Game Street Party
Sun. Nov. 13 (5:00 PM) vs DAY:
Youth Jersey Giveaway (1st 1000 kids)
Thu. Nov. 17 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Magnet Schedule Giveaway, Turkey Shoot
Fri. Nov. 18 (7:15 PM) vs MIZ:
Pink the Rink Night, Ladies Night
Sun. Dec. 4 (5:00 PM) vs BLM:
Player Card Set #1 (1st 1000 fans), White-Out Night, Post-Game Skate
Fri. Dec. 9 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
Harley Davidson Jersey Auction, Scout Night
Sun. Dec. 11 (5:00 PM) vs BLM:
Player Card Set #2 (1st 1000 fans), Mascot Night
Fri. Dec. 16 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Teddy Bear Toss for 911 Gives Hope
Sun. Dec. 18 (5:00 PM) vs MIZ:
Coats-for-Kids Day
Fri. Dec. 23 (7:15 PM) vs TEX:
Christmas Costume Night
Tue. Dec. 27 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
Win-A-Car Night, Post-Game Skate for Season Ticket Holders
Fri. Dec. 30 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Hog Night, featuring some sort of unspecified competition between local football teams
Sat. Dec. 31 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
Ring in the New Year with the IceMen ($12 lower bowl tickets plus free 2012 glasses/hats/noisemakers)
Also, a "Mashed Potato Toss" - whatever that is!
Tue. Jan. 3 (7:15 PM) vs QC:
$2 Hot Dog Night
Sun. Jan. 8 (7:15 PM) vs BLM:
Ronald McDonald House Jersey Auction (proceeds to the RMH of Evansville)
Plus, THE STANLEY CUP will be in the house! ($15 for an 8x10 photo with it)
Sat. Jan. 14 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Player Card Set #3 (1st 1000 fans), Boy Scout Night
Star Wars Night (Characters in attendance and games benefitting the National Kidney Foundation)
Pack the House Night (Sell Out the Ford Center!)
Fri. Jan. 20 (7:15 PM) vs QC:
College Night (Discount tickets with valid Student ID)
Sun. Jan. 22 (5:00 PM) vs TUL:
No Promotion
Thu. Jan. 26 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
"Seize the Deal" Night (Half-price tickets available HERE)
Fri. Jan. 27 (7:15 PM) vs BLM:
Performance by the Russian Bar Trio; College Night (Discount tickets with valid Student ID)
Fri. Feb. 3 (7:15 PM) vs RC:
Faith Night (Discount tickets for church groups, plus a performance by Christian band Stellar Kart)
Sat. Feb. 4 (7:15 PM) vs RC:
Appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants
Wed. Feb. 8 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Youth Jersey Giveaway (1st 1000 kids - same jersey as 11/13 but with different sponsors on the back)
Fri. Feb. 10 (7:15 PM) vs DAY:
Guns & Hoses Jersey Auction (partial proceeds to 911 Gives Hope)
Report Card Night ("A" on report card = free youth ticket with adult ticket purchase)
Sun. Feb. 19 (5:00 PM) vs ARZ:
Player Card Set #4 (1st 1000 fans), Heart Night
Wed. Feb. 22 (10:30 AM) vs ARZ:
Education Day Game
Fri. Feb. 24 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
New Hope Animal Rescue (Henderson) Pet Adoption Night, Girl Scout Night, Decal Giveaway
Also featuring a performance by juggler Albert Lucas
Sat. Feb. 25 (7:15 PM) vs FW:
Appearance and performances by the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders (autographs and photos available)
Wed. Feb. 29 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
Post-Game Skate for Season Ticket Holders & Kids Club Members
Fri. Mar. 2 (7:15 PM) vs WCH:
Girl Scout Night, Military Appreciation Night (discount tickets with ID)
Sun. Mar. 4 (5:00 PM) vs BLM:
Child Abuse Prevention Night
Start of 3-game Silent Jersey Auction to benefit Mended Little Hearts
Wed. Mar. 21 (7:15 PM) vs MIZ:
Player Card Set #5 (1st 1000 fans)
Night #2 of 3-game Silent Jersey Auction to benefit Mended Little Hearts
Fri. Mar. 23 (7:15 PM) vs QC:
Fan Appreciation Night, Player Awards Night
Hockey Stick Giveaway (1st 1000 kids), Free Team Photos, Return of the ZOOperstars, Post-Game Skate
End of 3-game Silent Jersey Auction to benefit Mended Little Hearts
End of season-long jersey raffle
