NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE NEST

FALCONS BLOG - NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE NEST

By: Damon Markiewicz

With the 2008-09 season officially in the rear-view mirror, the attention now for the Springfield Falcons organization turns to preparing for the 2009-10 campaign.  With approximately six months until opening night, there is no shortage of things to do for the Falcons front office moving forward.

On Easter Sunday, the Falcons players had a team meeting in the morning at the MassMutual Center, followed by each player having an individual exit meeting with members of the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Operations Department and all three Springfield coaches including:  head coach Rob Daum and assistant coaches David Bell and Gerry Fleming.  The feeling around the rink on exit meeting day is always somber with players cleaning out their lockers and bidding each other farewell until training camp in the Fall.

Let us not forget about the outstanding season both goaltender Devan Dubnyk and center Ryan Potulny had in Springfield uniforms this year.  Dubnyk set a Falcons' record for most appearances in a season with 61, and Potulny came within one goal of tying the Falcons' record for most goals in a season held by John LeBlanc.  Potulny finished the season with 38 goals and he seemed to score just about every night in the team's final dozen games.  Potulny scored 11 goals in his final 12 games of the year. 

As many of you probably witnessed on Saturday night in Hartford, Bryan Young took a puck right in the mouth and left the game in the first period.  Young is ok, but he did lose several teeth as a result of the incident.  Seeing Young around the office, he is ok, but will be making some visits to the dentist over the next couple weeks. 

Cody Wild scored the first goal in 2008-09 for Springfield in Hartford, while rookie Jordan Eberle scored the final goal for the Falcons in 08-09.  The 18-year-old Eberle finished with three goals and six assists for nine points in nine games with Springfield.

Off the ice, this year's team was willing to assist with any community event the team hosted.  Even during the final week of the regular season, Colin McDonald, Mike Gabinet and Bryan Young donated a ping pong table to the YMCA of Greater Springfield, while Taylor Chorney, Rob Schremp, Ryan O'Marra, Geoff Paukovich, Tyler Spurgeon, Gerry Fleming, and others participated in the Springfield Sliders Sled Hockey practice at The Nest.

One question that comes up all the time now the regular season is over is "what do you do as a staff in the off-season?"  The next six months are probably the most important months for any hockey organization.  As many of you know reading this, the season ticket renewal process has started, and we can't thank our loyal fans enough for their continued support.  We have tried to place any and all ticket package info on the front page of the website, but please let us know if there is something missing.  As a staff, everyone chips in with the sales process with hundreds of calls made each week regarding Falcons ticket package info and corporate partnership info.  The support of all ticket package holders and corporate partners is so very important to the Falcons organization and once again, thank you for your support!

We will try and keep you updated throughout the Spring and Summer and once again thank you for your support of Falcons Hockey!