HARRIS RETURNING TO HIS ROOTS FOR ALUMNI GAME

The Penguins played their first home game on November 13, 1999.  The pregame festivities included an introduction of the team, ceremonial puck drop, and even some pyrotechnics inside the arena.

But it was the fireworks that came at the end of the contest that stick in Casey Harris’ mind.

Harris was one of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s starting six when the Penguins faced off against the Kentucky Thoroughblades at what was then named the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena and Convention Center.  A 23-year old rookie at the time, Harris picked up an assist in the game, which the Penguins won by a score of 4-2.

Seconds after the buzzer sounded bringing the game to a close, Kentucky tough guy Garrett Burnett turned and fired a late shot at goaltender David Weninger.  The unsportsmanlike act brought a response from both benches, as players converged near the Zamboni entrance.  Pushing and shoving turned to an all-out brawl, and Harris was left to handle the 6-3, 235 pound Burnett, who went on to lead the league with an astounding 506 penalty minutes that year.

“I remember something happened with the goalie [David Weninger] at the end of the game. And when you’re out there, you're out there to protect your teammates, so you just did whatever you had to do that night,” said Harris, who gave away several inches and about 30 pounds to the Thoroughblades thug.  “He put icy hot all over his face and his body, so when I was punching him, I ended up getting it on my face. And I just remember going to the bar afterwards and having icy hot on my face the rest of the night.”

Harris survived his encounter with Burnett, and skated off the ice without a jersey and to a rousing round of applause.

While that game was a great success for the team, wins were few and far between during the inaugural 1999-2000 season.  The Penguins posted a 23-43-9-5 record, and finished 18th out of 19 teams in the American Hockey League.

Despite the performance on the ice, Harris said that first year with the Pens was more than memorable.

“It was awesome. It was an awesome time. I've played in a couple other cities, but the Wilkes-barre fans are unbelievable,” he said.  “That was the best part. Obviously we didn't have the numbers that we needed…But the fan base was there every night.  When I went into town, everybody said hello to you, we had tons of things to do in town. The people are great and the office staff were our best friends as well. We all got along.”

Harris has kept busy since his lone season in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  He played professionally for five more seasons (two with the IHL’s Indianapolis Ice, three with the UHL’s Port Huron Beacons) before hanging up the skates three years ago and opening Casey’s Pizza in Port Huron.

“Actually, the summer I quit hockey I opened up the restaurant. It's a pizza and sub shop. It's right downtown, and I own and operate the business,” said Harris.  “My wife is a big help. We have a great staff at the restaurant, but I'm usually there close to 60 hours a week.

“I do get three or four nights off a week, but I'm there a lot during the day and throughout the early evening. It's a lot of time running your own business. And we're planning on opening up a second one this coming August.”

The restaurant isn’t the only thing that keeps Harris on his toes.

“We also have three daughters, a five year old named Emma, a four year old named Lucy, and a two year old named Sophie,” he said.

Plus, Harris and his wife are due to welcome a fourth addition to the family in early April, just in time for him to participate in the Penguins Alumni Game, which will take place on April 4 at 2:00pm.  Several former Penguins, including Harris, Dennis Bonvie, Chris Kelleher, John Slaney, Steve Webb, Greg Crozier, Eric Meloche and Jean-Paul Tessier, among others, will be suiting up once again and taking on the Hershey Bears alumni. BUY ALUMNI GAME TICKETS HERE 

It will be Harris’ first actual visit to the area since leaving the team, although he did pass through town on the occasional road trip with the Beacons.

“We used to have to go from Elmira to West Virginia, so we'd pass right by the arena in the middle of the night,” said Harris.  “I'm like, ‘man, what did I do wrong to be on this bus? I can’t be on a plane or nice charter bus that you guys are on.’”

Life’s been good for Harris since his playing days, but he’s looking forward to reconnecting with some of his old teammates, and reliving some old memories, when he comes back to town in Early April.

“I'm excited to participate in the game…just to be with the guys again, to see some of the people that we used to hang out with and eat food with. It'll be a fun time,” he said.  “Once you're away for ten years, when you come back, within ten minutes everything’s back to normal, you know? It will be awesome.”