Off The Beaten Track Dec 27

Off The Beaten Track

December 27, 2016

Worcester Railers HC Fans!

Eric Lindquist checking back in!  Hope everyone enjoyed / is enjoying their holidays…. about half of the Railers office is still enjoying some time off this week as we look forward to kicking off 2017! There is a lot going on over the next few months so let’s get you all caught up on all things Worcester Railers:

Members Update

As of 11pm on December 27, we currently have 1066 members on board for our inaugural season – which means the Founder’s Circle is all wrapped up!  However, the Railers Foundation has teamed up with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund for a Holiday Power Play!  For every new membership deposit between now and Jan 18, the Railers Foundation will donate $200 to the Santa Fund.  For more information on the Holiday Power Play please click HERE.  As of right now the Railers Foundation will donate $23,200 to the Santa Fund ($10,000 initial donation + the Holiday Power Play) – ALSO… we are working on our next members only event for January – will keep you posted!

Select A Seat

Just a reminder that the Select A Seat Event will be held on February 18 at the DCU Center.  Click HERE for the full details.  Just a reminder…. All former Sharks season ticket holders will have the opportunity to reserve their old seat locations.  More info to follow after the New Year! (do not worry if you cannot make the date – more info to follow!)

Giving Back

ICYMI (in case you missed it) the Worcester Railers foundation donated a total of $25,000 to five local organizations right before the holidays. The following five community organizations received a $5,000 check from the Worcester Railers Foundation on December 22 to support their community based efforts this holiday season:

• Rainbow Child Development Center of Worcester
• The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
• Veterans Inc.
• The Friendly House
• StandUp For Kids

A BIG thanks to all of our members and corporate sponsors to allow us to make these great contributions to our local community!  Without your support this would not be possible!  Please click HERE to see the Charter TV3 news piece about the donations.

Checking in with Jamie

Worcester Railers GM and head coach Jamie Russell has been very busy hitting the road over the last few months and working on an NHL affiliation.  This weekend Jamie will be scouting three NCAA games including North Dakota at Union on Saturday night – remember Aaron Dell (North Dakota) and Troy Grosenick (Union) as former Worcester Sharks goaltenders?!  Will keep you all updated on any NHL affiliation updates!

Worcester Hockey Alum

Well…. Railers member Darryl Hunt and his Blog 210Sports provided a really good update on all of our Worcester hockey alumni that are playing well leading up to the holiday break.  No need to reinvent the wheel so please have a read by clicking HERE. (thanks Darryl!)

Around the ECHL

Manchester (.690), Florida (.712), Toledo (.827), and Colorado (.690) all led their respected divisions headed into the holiday break….while the Indy Fuel headed into a much needed breather having lost 12 straight games…. Fort Wayne leads the ECHL in attendance (7.327 per game) and penalty minutes (20.11 minutes per game)….Toledo leads the ECHL in goals scored per game (4.38) and have the best power play at 23.9%….Tyson Spink (TOL) and John McCarron (FLA) have each recorded a four goal game this season….goaltender Ran Massa (ORL) made a season high 57 saves for the Solar Bears on Dec 22…. Curt Gogol is averaging 8.67 penalty minutes per game with Florida as he has 52 PIMS in just six games.

Wrapping things Up

Bill Ballou chatted with Railers owner Cliff Rucker and ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna and provided us an update of the business side of the Railers – click HERE to read the article.  As of today I have 291 days until the Railers home opener at the DCU center on October 14 – just saying! That will do it….  If you have a question…. shoot me a line at EricL@RailersHC.com.  Until next time…. HOCKEY, HOCKEY, HOCKEY…WOO!