JRLSports.com - James R LeCorchick Sports Report

The Erie Otters in cooperation with the Ontario Hockey League have announced their schedule of games and promotional nights for the 2011-2012 regular season.

The Otters open their 16th campaign of OHL play with a three-game road swing starting Friday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. against the Sarnia Sting. They will return to Erie for their home opener Saturday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. against the Oshawa Generals. The first 1,000 fans will receive a magnetic schedule and there will be a post-game meet and greet with Otters players.

Hockey for the Hungry will take place twice this season on October 12 and October 26. Fans that donate a non-perishable food item can get into each game for $2.00. A lithograph poster giveaway is scheduled for October 15 against the Windsor Spitfires, who make their first visit to Erie since their first round playoff battle in April. Cancer Awareness Night wraps up the promotions for the month of October on the 22nd, against the Ottawa 67's.

The Fourth Annual Teddy Bear Toss returns Thanksgiving Night against the Belleville Bulls. Last year's total netted 4,618 stuffed animals, a team record.

The Toys for Tots Drive will take place December 16 and 17. Fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy to either game will receive a voucher good for a free ticket to the games on January 6 or 7.

Team posters will be given away to the first 1,000 fans on January 21 against the Peterborough Petes. A meet and greet will follow after the game.

This year's Alumni Night will be February 4 against the Saginaw Spirit, almost a year after last year's wildly successful celebration. The first 1,000 fans will receive a cowbell on February 25, when the Otters host the Kingston Frontenacs. Literacy Day returns March 11 against the Guelph Storm for a special 4:30 p.m. start.

The home schedule will wrap up on St. Patrick’s Day, which is Saturday, March 17 against the London Knights. The green ice will return for the game after a year hiatus (due to the Women's Frozen Four), which is also Fan Appreciation and Mario Lemieux Foundation Night. The first 1,000 fans will receive an autograph book and there will be a post-game meet and greet.

2011-2012 Otters Schedule Highlights:

· Home Opener: Saturday, October 1 @ 7:00 p.m. against the Oshawa Generals.

· Annual Thanksgiving Game will take place on Thursday, November 24 against the Belleville Bulls.

· Home Game Breakdown: 16 Saturdays; 10 Fridays; six Wednesdays; one Thursday; and one Sunday.

· Longest Home Stand: four games (twice, October 1-12 and October 15-26).

· Longest Road Trip: four games (twice, November 12-18 and December 9-15).

· Eight sets of three-games-in-three days.

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Erie Otters center Greg McKegg headlined the winners with three awards at the team’s annual Summer Awards Banquet held Friday evening at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel.

The captain of the Otters won the Steve Nimigon Humanitarian Award, the Most Sportsmanlike Player (for the second straight season), and the Leading Scorer title. McKegg scored 49 goals and 92 points in a career year with the Otters, and signed an entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs following the season.

Other multiple winners were defenseman Adam Pelech and overage center Phil Varone. Pelech won the Rookie of the Year and Sertz Family Scholastic Award while Varone took home the Locastro-Bonini Three Star Award and Most Valuable Player honors.

Ramis Sadikov, who was unable to attend the festivities as he was home in Russia, won Player of the Year after a superb season in which he finished in the top-five in several goaltending categories in the OHL, including a team-record 36 wins.

Other award winners from the Otters 16th Summer Awards Banquet included Anthony Luciani (Outstanding Playoff Performance), Brett Cook (Most Improved Player), Matt Paton (Bassin Award for Dedication), Shawn Szydlowski and Mike Cazzola (co-winners of the Vince Scott Award for Determination; Cazzola’s second straight honor) and David Shields (Defenseman of the Year).

2011-12 Season Tickets are available at one of the most affordable prices in the Ontario Hockey League. Reserve your seat for all 34 Otters home games and receive a number of outstanding Season Ticket Holder Benefits including personalized Season Ticket Books, free tickets to Otters pre-season games played at the Tullio Arena, unused ticket redemption opportunities, merchandise discounts and more! Ask about our new VIP Hat Trick Club!

The ninth annual Erie Otters Champions for Education Golf Tournament will be held Monday, August 29th at Lake Shore Country Club. The noon shotgun tournament offers golfers an opportunity to play a round with a member of the Otters (current or alumni) on one of Erie’s most challenging and picturesque 18-hole courses. The benefactor of the Tournament is the Erie Otters Education Fund, which supports The Brad Boyes Scholarship, awarded annually to a local male high school athlete who excels on and off the playing field. The Fund also assists in the educational needs of former members of the Otters following their OHL careers. The tournament also supports numerous charities. Registration for the tourney is $150 per player and includes golf with cart, lunch, snacks and beverages on the course, dinner following golf, prizes and much, much more. Space is limited so register today by calling the Otters Office at 814-455-7779.

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