Laker Hockey season ticket holders can meet Gordie Howe on Sept. 11

SAULT STE. MARIE – Lake Superior State hockey season-ticket holders have until Aug. 30 to claim their seats, the LSSU Department of Athletics announced today. As an incentive to purchase tickets early, all LSSU hockey season-ticket holders for 2007-08 are invited to “An Evening with Gordie Howe” on Sept. 11 at Taffy Abel Arena. Howe will attend a Laker Hockey pre-season press conference at 5:30 p.m. in the Blue Liner Room and will participate in a question-and-answer session with Bill Crawford at 6 p.m. in the arena. All public, LSSU student, loft-holder, faculty/staff and Friday-only/Saturday-only season-ticket holders are invited to the Q&A. The evening will also include a Laker Athletics Garage Sale and a skills challenge among Laker hockey players. "We wanted to provide a special event for our season-ticket holders by bringing a hockey icon like Mr. Howe to LSSU,” said Tom Coates, LSSU’s assistant director of athletics. “This is a way for us to show our appreciation for their support of our hockey program and build excitement for the upcoming season." The National Hockey League doubled in size during Gordie Howe’s six-decade career, and much of hockey’s growth in North America has been attributed to Howe’s allure, legendary skills and fame. Howe entered the NHL in 1946 at the age of 18 during the league’s six-team era. He scored a goal in his first game and went on to score 1,070 more goals while playing for the Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, New England Whalers and Hartford Whalers. After finally retiring in 1980, he established all-time records for goals, assists (1,518), points (2,589), games played (2,421), all-star appearances (29), most MVP honors (seven), most scoring titles (six) and most seasons played (32). “I pick Gordie as my No. 1 all-time player,” legendary Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman once stated. “He played the longest. He was the toughest player of his era. He was the best offensive player and defensively he was used in all situations. He could play center, right wing and defense. He could shoot right and he could shoot left. If you could make a mold for a hockey player, it would be him.” The general public is invited to attend an ESPN Tailgate with Charter Media from 4-8 p.m. on Sept. 4 at the Norris Center. This event will follow LSSU’s annual Lakerpalooza, and attendees will have a chance to meet Laker athletes from all 13 varsity sports. Games, food and prizes will all be a part of the ESPN Tailgate. Laker hockey season tickets are $156 if purchased before Sept. 11, and the package includes the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs. Season tickets for students (18-and-under) are $85. The Friday-only package is $74 and includes one playoff game, and the Saturday-only package is $82 and includes one playoff game. Walk-up prices are $10 adults and $5 for students. LSSU faculty, staff and retirees must have claimed their seats by Aug. 1, and all other season ticket holders have until Aug. 30, 2007. If the Lakers don’t play host to a CCHA Playoffs first-round series, refunds must be claimed by May 15, 2008. To order tickets, call 906-635-2602 or visit www.lssulakers.cstv.com/tickets/lasu-tickets.html. Note: The LSSU hockey series at Notre Dame has been changed to Thursday, Nov. 1, and Friday, Nov. 2, at 7:35 p.m. The games, which were originally scheduled for Nov. 2 and 3, were moved up one day in order to avoid a conflict with the Notre Dame-Navy football game.