PENGUINS TO WELCOME BACK FORMER PLAYERS FOR FIRST ALUMNI GAME

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hockey fans will get to revisit the past on Saturday, April 4, when the Penguins host their first ever Alumni Game, presented by Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep.  The contest will take place at 2:00pm prior to the Penguins home contest against the Hershey Bears, and will pit the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton alums against former Bears players.

“We’ve been celebrating our 10th season of Penguins hockey all year, and honoring many of the players from the past,” said Penguins President, Rich Hixon.  “This game is a way to re-live some of those great memories from the early years and say hello to some of our all-time fan favorites.”

Scheduled to suit up for the Penguins are Dennis Bonvie, Greg Crozier, Casey Harris, Chris Kelleher, Jim Leger, Jean-Paul Tessier (pictured), Brendan Walsh, Steve Webb and David Weninger.  Additional players are expected to be added to that list in the near future.

Also, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton lineup will feature three new signings - Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson and Dave Hanson - better known to the hockey world as the Hanson Brothers.  The Hansons (www.hansonbrothers.net) will also entertain the crowd during the evening contest against the Bears, which should produce some real ‘old-time hockey’.

Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the former Penguins and the Hanson Brothers face-to-face at a special VIP reception at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs following that evening’s game.

General admission tickets to the alumni game are just $10, while special VIP packages, which include preferred seating to the alumni game and admission to the post-game reception, are just $25 (limited to the first 300).

Tickets will be available exclusively to Penguins season ticket holders starting this week, and can be purchased by calling the Penguins ticket office at 208-7367.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, March 9 through all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and through the Wachovia Arena Box Office.

All proceeds from the game will benefit the Penguins/United Way Charity Fund.  Sponsors for the event include the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, Lucky’s Sporthouse, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Hilton Garden Inn and Wyoming Valley Health Care System.