WILKES-BARRE JUNIOR PENS TO TAKE THE ICE AT COAL STREET RINK

WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are happy to announce the formation of the Wilkes-Barre Junior Pens hockey program, which will be based out of the city’s new ice rink at Coal Street Park.  The Junior Pens are expected to begin play during the winter of 2009.

“The Penguins have been committed to the area’s youth hockey community since the team’s formation a decade ago,” said Penguins CEO, Jeff Barrett.  “We’ve been working with Mayor Tom Leighton’s office for several years hoping to bring youth hockey back inside the Wilkes-Barre city borders, and the ongoing rejuvenation of the Coal Street ice rink has played a major part in helping us to achieve this goal.

“At the same time, we will continue to work with the other youth hockey organizations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, and look forward to continuing our mission of growing the sport across the region.”

“The City of Wilkes-Barre’s $14 million renovation project will completely transform Coal Street Park into a premier public recreational facility.  Through programs like their junior hockey team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will make this great project even better,” commented Mayor Thomas M. Leighton.

The Junior Pens will include teams ranging from the Mite (ages 6-8) to Midget (ages 15-16) levels.  More information on joining the Wilkes-Barre Junior Pens will be available in the near future.