Chirps from Center Ice

A fan blog about the AHL's Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Category Archives: WBS

Nothing to see here this weekend…

1 Comment Posted by on September 11, 2010

Pens Rookie Tournament in London, Ontario is upon us and many have asked if I am going or if I am live tweeting the festivities. The answer is no to both. I will be following along as I suggest most of you do with @zboslett, @EricP55 and @pghpenguins over on the Twitter side. For the other side of the coin, check out @Bsens_Hockey today and @TorontoMarlies tomorrow.

As for me, I am going to be following along today for the most part and will try my best tomorrow. Tomorrow I am away at a niece’s birthday party.

Check back here Monday evening for a report on the Booster Club Meeting, as apparently now they are running a trip to Pittsburgh for the Dec 30 game v. the Hershey Bears.

Let’s Go Pens!

EDIT: Astute follower @stefanhack informed me that @HockeysFuture is live tweeting all action in Ontario this weekend.

EDIT 2: Ivan over at PensChat.com found an audio stream of the games on Ottawa’s Team 1200.

Pittsburgh, WBS

One hand washes the other…

Comments Off on One hand washes the other… Posted by on September 8, 2010

Quick one today.

If you link Chirps from Center Ice on your blog, first, thank you. Second, please let me know. Either on Twitter, or in my comment section somewhere. (I’d provide my e-mail but I don’t want spam) I will link your blog on mine. One hand washes the other, your visitors are my visitors and vice versa.

Bombulie posted his thoughts on the upcoming Pens Rookie Tournament this weekend complete with players who need to have a good camp and why.

Congrats to Bridgeport Sound Tigers beat writer Mike Fornabaio on the 5th Anniversary of his blog, Soundin’ Off. I use a ton of Mike’s style with linking and asterisks.

Finally, we are still on for a Monday or Tuesday release of the AHL Previews. I say Tuesday because Monday there is a Penguins Booster Club meeting that night. Play-by-play man Tom Grace is the guest. I’ll probably either live-tweet the thing or just blog about everything (or both) when I get home. I don’t want to post twice in one night, so I may delay the West Division Preview by a day.

The AHL, WBS

Blog Fodder 9/7

Comments Off on Blog Fodder 9/7 Posted by on September 7, 2010

Not a whole lot going on as we are hours away from NHL rookies reporting to respective camps, but enough fodder for a post. So here goes…

  • The Pittsburgh Penguins announced their rookie camp roster.
  • They play in London, Ontario against Ottawa Sept 11; Toronto Sept 12; Chicago Sept 14*
  • Eric P over at the Wilkes-Blog has his projected lines here.
  • I found this interesting. The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins tweeted today the Promotions Schedule for this year. I only did this two weeks ago. Perhaps the STH’s got the “preview of coming attractions” version, with the option to buy more tickets (which we did). Astute followers of Chirps from Center Ice were light years ahead of the masses who just found out today about the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Bobbleheads.
  • The nine Friday home dates are Dollar Dog and Dollar Beer Nights. From when the doors open at 6.pm. to 7:30 p.m., select beers are $1, and 1,500 hot dogs are $1 to first come first served.
  • Check this out. The folks over at The Goalie Guild have their September Scouting Journal out. They rank the top 100 prospects, which include a ton of AHL and soon-to-be AHL guys. They also provide depth charts for every single NHL team. They also feature B-Sens goalie Robin Lehner. Just tons of information.
  • I did not buy NHL 11 yet. I have no idea what I am waiting for.

That’s about it. AHL Divisional Previews drop next week. Pittsburgh still has ~$2 million left in cap space. Speculation abounds on whether they bring in a defenseman in or not. If anything occurs, be sure to lend a follow over on Twitter for my thoughts and reactions.

*- I will not be live tweeting rookie camp.

Pittsburgh, WBS

Late to the party…

1 Comment Posted by on September 3, 2010

Much of what is in this post you may have seen already. Here goes:

Few things. First, congrats to Commissioner Andrews on the award. Dave Andrews is one of the smartest hockey minds anywhere. He makes Gary Bettman look like Larry Fine. Second, hopefully with the Wyatt Smith news the Bombulie blog comments section can now die down and get back to actual intelligent hockey talk vs. senseless drivel making fun of Wyatt Smith. Take note that I am not a Smith apologist. He’ll probably go down as the worst Captain in history. Was he the scapegoat for last years result? No. It’s a collective effort. One man can’t be blamed. But, wearing of the “C” comes with expectations.

Finally the Comrie signing means that Dustin Jeffrey / Mark Letestu / Eric Tangradi start the year in Wilkes-Barre. I tweeted earlier that Tangradi is not NHL ready. I truly believe that. Let him succeed in the AHL first before you throw him to the wolves of The Show. Plus, if I was pressed into ranking the three on who is more NHL ready, Tangradi is last on the list everytime. I’m not knocking Eric by any means, but I watched him in Wilkes-Barre all last season. He is an NHL player. Just not this year.

Preview of coming attractions: All 30 AHL team previews are done, split division-by-division. This came out better than I hoped. Tenative release date is September 13. Tell your friends.

Pittsburgh, The AHL, WBS

Walker down the Street

2 Comments Posted by on September 1, 2010

Wilkes-Barre / Scranton announced today that they have signed forwards Geoff Walker and Ben Street to AHL contracts.

I have never heard of these guys. Of course, I have never heard of Ben Lovejoy either. Obvious depth signings. Walker was a Manchester guy last year going 5-9-14 with 55 PIM in 37 games for the Monarchs last year. I don’t remember him. Street looks like he was undrafted. He is a Wisconsin Badger. I sure he knows someone here on WBS who suggested we sign him.

No Bombulie analysis on this yet as of 6 p.m Eastern.

In other news, I have booked my flight, hotel and rental to Charlotte in October. The Checkers tell me by next week they will call me to finalize tickets. I will be center ice, and I have been assured by the well run Checkers that I will be in the building opening night. Can’t wait.

WBS Penguin Podcasts are excellent.

My AHL Previews are almost done. I have the West and North Divisions already here on the blog but not published yet. Later I will get the Atlantic on here and then the East. Look for them mid-September.

Finally, I need your help. If you know me, you know that I look up to AHL beat writers. I am incorporating beat writers in my AHL Preview. But, not all teams have them. This is where you come in. I am looking for beat writers for the following teams: Binghamton, Norfolk and Lake Erie. If you know a name, leave it in the comment section. Thanks.

Travel, WBS

Ice Promoter

3 Comments Posted by on August 27, 2010

I get home and there is mail from the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins. I open it, and it’s a letter from CEO Jeff Barrett giving me, the full share Season Ticket Holder (STH) all the details of the upcoming 2010-2011 season.

It appears we have a motto for the 2010-11 campaign: “Fans First” – Awesome.

I am going to go thru now and reveal to you all of the benefits of being a WBS Pens STH are. I am one, I have been one for three years, this is my fourth year. This is a first class organization. Top to bottom, front to back. You will not find a team who works harder to take care of their own than the WBS Pens, in my opinion.

For the STH who did not get the letter yet, or the prospective STH, this is what you can look forward to this season. What’s that? THE PROMOTIONS!!!! But, it get’s better. Please keep reading:

  • Like the third jerseys? You can get a Third Jersey Hoodie Sweatshirt. It’s Royal Blue with the Skating Penguin. How do you get this? Purchase ten additional tickets or ten undated ticket vouchers at your STH price, and you get it for FREE! You have until September 10.
  • You guys already know about the Season Ticket Holder Draft Lottery. You can be entered in to win a chance to get a voucher to purchase a ticket to the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh January 1 for Penguins / Capitals at Heinz Field. 40 game STH’s get 6 chances a seat, 22 game STH’s get 3 chances a seat, 12 games gets 2 chances and six pack and flex holders get a chance each. They give you vouchers when you pick up your tickets. You have to fill them out and return them to the Coal Street Pro Shop by October 8. If you win, you get a chance to purchase two tickets to the Winter Classic.
  • The Season Ticket Holder Pick Up Party. Come see the new digs at Coal Street on Saturday September 25. You can pick up your season tickets between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. AND watch the first team practice AND get FIVE MORE ENTRIES into the Winter Classic Draft. I am blown away by this! I am a 40 game STH with 2 seats. I get 12 chances. I pick up my tickets on Saturday and I increase my odds of my name being called during October home games from 12 to 17. WOW.
  • The December 30 game in Pittsburgh vs. the Bears. The letter offered no details other than us STH’s get special consideration. More information will be available shortly. Meaning: No one knows for sure yet. Or, the ones that do, can’t say anything because nothing is concrete. Stay tuned to the Pens’ website, Twitter or Facebook page when they announce it. Or, stick with me on my Twitter feed.
  • They also promise “surprises” along the way.

Alright. If the above hasn’t already sold you on becoming a Season Ticket Holder, the following will absolutely make you want to become one. Or, if you just don’t have the money right now, you can start saving for the date for the Promotion which interests you most. In order:

  • Saturday October 9 v. the Hershey Bears (the home opener): 2010-2011 Magnetic Schedule. (first 5,000 fans)
  • Saturday November 6 v. the Syracuse Crunch: Unigraphic Team Photo. (first 5,000)
  • Saturday November 27 v. the Rochester Americans: Jersey Card #1 (first 5,000)*
  • Saturday December 11 v. the Norfolk Admirals: Jersey Bags (first 1,500 kids 14 and under)*
  • Friday December 17 v. the Abbotsford Heat: Skull Beanie Cap (first 5,000)*
  • Saturday January 1 v. the Norfolk Admirals: PA Lottery Night (first 2,500 age 18 or older)
  • Saturday January 22 v. the Albany Devils: Jersey Card #2 (first 5,000)
  • Friday February 4 v. the Manitoba Moose: McCarthy / Bridgestone All-Star Poster (first 5,000)
  • Saturday February 12 v. the Adirondack Phantoms: Jersey Card #3 (first 5,000)
  • Sunday February 13 v. the Hershey Bears: Silly Bands (first 1,500 kids 14 and under)*
  • Saturday February 26 v. the Norfolk Admirals: Evgeni Malkin Bobblehead (first 5,000)
  • Saturday March 19 v. the Worcester Sharks: Tux Wobbler (first 5,000) also the St. Patrick’s Day Jersey Auction
  • Sunday March 20 v. the Charlotte Checkers: Jersey Card #4 (first 5,000)*
  • Saturday April 2 v. the Rochester Americans: Sidney Crosby Bobblehead (first 5,000)
  • Friday April 8 v. the Hershey Bears: Diecast Car (first 5,000) / Fan Appreciation Night*

* – Fan Dates. The biggest nights of the year (per the Pens). But, one could argue that there will be a lot of people in town for the Crosby / Malkin bobbleheads.

What about the Team Trading Card Sets? Glad you asked. They are ONLY available to Season Ticket Holders.

Still not sold? Still on the fence? Don’t be. This is the year. Trust me. I can feel it already and players haven’t even reported to Training Camp yet. 570-208-7367 (PENS) Call a ticket rep. Get a plan, any plan. Get in on the action. You will not be disappointed. Do it!!!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the team. I am not getting a dime from the Pens, the players, Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby or Tux to post this. I do it cause I love it.
WBS

Boost me up Scotty…

Comments Off on Boost me up Scotty… Posted by on August 26, 2010

Fellow WBS fan and good friend Siena Slusser e-mailed me the WBS Penguins Booster Club travel schedule for the season. I love my booster club. For only being 12 years old it is probably one of the best in the league. Dues are $12/year and travel costs are cheap. Chip runs the travel and you need to be on his bus because his mind has invaluable places you need to be while in an AHL city.

Without further adieu, here is the travel schedule:

  • Oct 15-18 to Charlotte. (leaving midnight on the 15th and travel through the night)
  • Nov 13-14 to Worcester.
  • Dec 12 to Atlantic City to see Albany v. WBS.
  • Jan 14-16 to Providence, Adirondack and Hartford.
  • Feb 18-20 to Norfolk.
  • Mar 12-13 to Pittsburgh v. Montreal.
  • Mar 25 to Bingo.
  • Apr 3 to Syracuse.
  • No bus to the Dec 30 game v. Hershey. Hotels are expensive with the Winter Classic.
  • No Abbotsford / Manitoba.

Few things: 1) Do not like the fact the Booster Club is driving to Charlotte. I am flying. I am renting a car. I am visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame and going to the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery. Charlotte is a big city I have never been in, so I want to explore it, interact with fans, all that. 2) Love the Worcester trip. The Sharks Booster Club always takes care of us. I love that it’s an overnight too. Everything about Worcester I love. Great city. Easy access from I-84. 3) Love the Providence / Adirondack / Hartford trip. This almost guarantees an overnight in Glens Falls, and a visit to the Davidson Brothers. Only this time, I am visiting AFTER the game, instead of before. 4) Love that the Booster Club is headed to Norfolk. 5) Do not like the fact they are not going to Canada again. Well, never fear, I am!

NHL trips don’t interest me. I do Binghamton on my own. Let’s get going!

The AHL, Travel, WBS

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