Recent Events

Wednesday, April 2
Pirates Visit Goodwill
Biddeford, ME
On Wednesday, April 2nd Bruno St. Jacques, J.S. Aubin and Geoff Peters visited the Goodwill location at the Five Points Shopping Center in Biddeford, ME from 4-5 p.m. The players signed autographs and raffled off tickets to this weekend's game.

Monday, March 24
Youth Hockey Clinic presented by Country Kitchen
CCCC
On Monday, March 24th, the Portland Pirates hosted the third and final Pirates Youth Hockey Clinics presented by Country Kitchen this season. The one hour session was for youth hockey players ages 12 and under. The event was held at the Cumberland County Civic Center from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Pirates players Gerald Coleman, Darryl Bootland, Petteri Wirtanen and coach Matt Laatsch ran the clinic and worked with players on drills. At the end of the event there was an autograph session with the Pirates players. The clinic also included a Pirates Locker Room tour and a free Country Kitchen Youth Hockey Clinic souvenir puck to each skater. Each participant also received a voucher for a free ticket to a future 2007-2008 regular season home game.

The was the third and final Pirates Youth Hockey Clinics this season, presented by Country Kitchen. For more on this program call the Pirates at (207) 828-4665 ext. 307.

Monday, March 24
Youth Hockey Clinic presented by Country Kitchen
CCCC
On Monday, March 24th, the Portland Pirates hosted the second of three Pirates Youth Hockey Clinics presented by Country Kitchen. This one hour session was for Huskies Youth Hockey Mites as a thank you for participating in the Day of Hockey held last month. The event was held at the Cumberland County Civic Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Pirates players Mike Hoffman, Brett Festerling, Brendan Mikkelson and coach Matt Laatsch ran the clinic and worked with players on drills. At the end of the event there was an autograph session with the Pirates players. The clinic also included a Pirates Locker Room tour and a free Country Kitchen Youth Hockey Clinic souvenir puck to each skater. Each participant also received a voucher for a free ticket to a future 2007-2008 regular season home game.

The clinic was the second Pirates Youth Hockey Clinics this season, presented by Country Kitchen, for more on this program call the Pirates at (207) 828-4665 ext. 307.

Wednesday, March 19
Goals For Success
Loranger Middle School, Old Orchard Beach ME
Pirates players Mike McKenna and Geoff Peters were at Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach on Wednesday March 19 to present the Goals For Success program. The players talked to students about setting goals, eating healthy and avoiding peer pressure. At the end of the presentation the players signed autographs and gave out ticket vouchers to the kids.

The Goals For Success program was created to educate school children about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles and to influence them to set goals and to make correct choices in their lives.

Tuesday, March 18
Goals For Success
Skillin Elementary School, South Portland ME
Pirates players Mike Hoffman and Gerald Coleman were at Skillin Elementary School on Tuesday March 18 to present the Goals For Success program. The players talked to students about setting goals, eating healthy and avoiding peer pressure. At the end of the presentation the players signed autographs and gave out ticket vouchers to the kids.

The Goals For Success program was created to educate school children about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles and to influence them to set goals and to make correct choices in their lives.

Tuesday, March 18
Goals For Success
Canal School, Westbrook ME
Pirates players Mike McKenna and Geoff Peters were at the Canal School in Westbrook on Tuesday March 18 to present the Goals For Success program. The players talked to students about setting goals, eating healthy and avoiding peer pressure. At the end of the presentation the players signed autographs and gave out ticket vouchers to the kids.

The Goals For Success program was created to educate school children about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles and to influence them to set goals and to make correct choices in their lives.

Wednesday, March 5
2008 Evening with the Pirates
Holiday Inn by the Bay
The Portland Pirates Foundation hosted the 2008 Evening with the Pirates - A Night of Grog, Grub and Games presented by Ameriprise Financial on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 from 6-10 p.m. at the Holiday Inn By the Bay.

The Portland Pirates team was there for an evening of silent and live auctions, gaming (for entertainment only), live buccaneer music from the Calypso Cowboys,plenty of grog from Pepsi and Gritty McDuff's and grub from some of downtown Portland's finest galleys. Comedian Bob Marley provided entertainment and ran the live auction. All proceeds raised from the auctions went to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

Tuesday, February 19
St. Jacques and Ferguson Visit L.L.Bean
Freeport, ME
On Tuesday, February 19th, Pirates players Bruno St. Jacques and Simon Ferguson were at L.L. Bean from 2- 4 p.m. to help celebrate L.L. Bean Kid’s Winter Fun Week. The players signed autographs and gave out free tickets to the game on February 26th.

Thursday, February 7
Dine Around the World
Holiday Inn By the Bay
The Third Annual Food and Wine Tasting event benefiting Gary's House was held on Thursday, February 7th at 6:30 PM at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. Pirates forward Shane Hynes was at the event raffling off 10 Pirates tickets and an autographed jersey! Some of the restaurants featured at this year's event were Starbucks Coffee, Bandaloop, DiMillo's Floating Restaurant, RiRa Irish Pub and many more. There was also a tasting provided by Central Distributors to complement the wide array of dishes.

This event was sold out, but you can still help this great cause by donating to the "Goals for Gary's House" program. Gary's House is a home where people from out-of-town can stay while they visit a family member in a local hospital. Thanks to your generous pledges throughout the 2006-07 season, Pirates fans and players have helped raise more than $23,000 for Gary's House over the six-year history of the program.

Each year, fans pledge a dollar amount for every goal scored during that season. At the end of the season, participants will pay up based on the total number of goals scored. Last season, the Pirates scored 306 goals. Fans can also make a one-time donation to Gary's House.

Gary's House is a home that started as a young man's dream. While undergoing a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer, Gary saw how financially difficult it was for his parents to stay in hotels while he was his undergoing cancer treatments. When Gary realized he would lose his battle with cancer, he had a final wish: to establish a hospitality home in southern Maine that would serve families of patients.

Gary's parents, Trudy and Craig McNeal, were able to raise the money, through many fundraising events and donations, to buy and furnish a nine-bedroom home on State Street in Portland. After seven years of hard work, Gary's House opened its doors on December 13, 1998. With their goals met, the McNeals asked Mercy Hospital to sponsor the ongoing operation of the home.

Wednesday, January 23
Youth Hockey Clinic presented by Country Kitchen
CCCC
On Wednesday, January 23rd, the Portland Pirates hosted the first of three Pirates Youth Hockey Clinics presented by Country Kitchen. The one hour session was for youth hockey players ages 12 and under. The event was held at the Cumberland County Civic Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Pirates players Gerald Coleman, Brett Festerling, Brendan Mikkelson and coach Matt Laatsch ran the clinic and worked with players on drills. At the end of the event there was an autograph session with all the Pirates players. The clinic also included a Pirates Locker Room tour and a free Country Kitchen Youth Hockey Clinic souvenir puck to each skater. Each participant will also receive a voucher for a free ticket to a future 2007-2008 regular season home game.

The clinic is the first Pirates Youth Hockey Clinics this season, presented by Country Kitchen, for more on this program call the Pirates at (207) 828-4665 ext. 307.

Wednesday, January 9
Shane Hynes visits Dunkin Donuts to support the Red Cross
Dunkin Donuts in Falmouth
On Wednesday, January 9th Portland Pirates forward Shane Hynes visited the Dunkin Donuts in Falmouth to support the Red Cross. The Maine Red Cross was also at the Dunkin Donuts for a blood drive. Hynes was greeting customers and blood donors and giving free Pirates tickets to all those who donated blood. During the month of January, National Blood Donor Month, Dunkin Donuts will be giving a coupon for a free pound of coffee to all presenting blood donors at American Red Cross blood drives. Thank you to everyone who made a contribution to the Maine Red Cross.

Tuesday, December 4
Pirates Raise Funds for Gary's House
The Maine Diner, Wells, ME
On Tuesday, December 4th Pirates players Eric Weinrich, Mike Hoffman, Andrew Ebbett, Tyler Bouck, Joe Callahan, Brett Festerling and Brendan Mikkelson visited the Maine Diner at 2265 Post Road, Route One in Wells, Maine from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. to help raise funds for Gary's House. The Maine Diner donated all proceeds from the entire day to Gary's House. The total amount raised from the day will be announced at a later date.

Gary's house is a nine-bedroom home located on State Street in Portland, which serves as a hospitality home for family members of patients at local hospitals. Gary's House opened its doors on December 13, 1998. Mercy Hospital sponsors the ongoing operation of the home. To learn more about Gary's House or to make a donation, < a href=http://www.portlandpirates.com/goalsforgarys.asp>Click here to learn more about Gary's House or to make a donation.

Fans who attend the event at the Diner on Tuesday can enter a raffle to win a Pirates jersey signed by the 2007-2008 team!

Tuesday, November 20
Pirates Ring in the Holidays at Gary's House
Portland, ME
On Tuesday, November 20th several Portland Pirates players visited Gary's House to help prepare the house for the holidays. In the Pirates continuous effort to support Gary's House, Petteri Wirtanen, Gordie Dwyer, Brendon Segal and Bobby Ryan all helped move Christmas trees, ornaments and holiday decorations to make the house look more festive for the upcoming holiday season.

Gary's house is a nine-bedroom home located on State Street in Portland, which serves as a hospitality home for family members of patients at local hospitals. Gary's House opened its doors on December 13, 1998. Mercy Hospital sponsors the ongoing operation of the home.

Click here to learn more about the Pirate's involvement with Gary's House or to make a donatation.

Tuesday, November 20
Pirates Players Get Gary's House Ready for the Holidays
Gary's House
Portland, Maine - On Tuesday, November 20th several Portland Pirates players visited Gary’s House to help prepare the house for the holidays. In the Pirates continuous effort to support Gary’s House, Petteri Wirtanen, Gordie Dwyer, Brendon Segal and Bobby Ryan all helped move Christmas trees, ornaments and holiday decorations to make the house look more festive for the upcoming holiday season.

Gary’s house is a nine-bedroom home located on State Street in Portland, which serves as a hospitality home for family members of patients at local hospitals. Gary's House opened its doors on December 13, 1998. Mercy Hospital sponsors the ongoing operation of the home. To learn more about the Pirate’s involvement with Gary’s House or to donate, visit
click here.

Thursday, November 8
Weinrich Helps Raise Funds for Kidney Foundation
Hannaford - Waterville, ME
On Thursday, November 8th, the Shipyard Brewing Company hosted a meet and greet with the Portland Pirates defenseman Eric Weinrich at the Hannaford location in the Elm Street Plaza in Waterville, ME.

Weinrich was helping raise funds with the Shipyard Brewing Company for the National Kidney Foundation. He was also handing out Pirates tickets, signing autographs, and giving away Shipyard key chains, hats and t-shirts. The event was broadcast live on 105.1 WTOS-FM.

During the month of November and December the Shipyard Brewing Company will donate 10 cents from every 12 pack of beer to the National Kidney Foundation.

Fans also had a chance to sign up for the Shipyard Winter Getaway contest. The Shipyard Brewing Co., along with Hannaford and the Portland Pirates have teamed up to bring you a Winter Getaway to the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic, January 27-28 in Binghamton, New York. Fill out the entry form online and be eligible to win a prize package that consists of VIP transportation to and from Binghamton, two nights lodging, tickets to the 2008 AHL All-Star game, tickets to the Post Skills Party and tickets to the AHL/Hockey Hall of Fame Luncheon! To enter the contest, click here!

Wednesday, October 31
Halloween Visit to Barbara Bush Children's Hospital
Maine Medical Center, Portland
On Wednesday, October 31st, the entire Portland Pirates team visited the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland. The players were involved in the annual Halloween parade as part of the Halloween celebration at the hospital. During the appearance, the Pirates players handed out candy, signed autographs and took photos with the kids at the hospital. Click here for the complete story.

Thursday, October 18
Q Cans for a Cure
Maine Mall
Portland, Maine - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year over 1,000 Mainers will be diagnosed with the disease. In an effort to raise funds for breast cancer research, Portland Pirates players Mike Hoffman and Brian Salcido were at the Mall helping collect bottles and cans for the "Q Cans for a Cure" bottle drive yesterday. This event was hosted by the Q97.9 (WJBQ-FM) Morning Show personalities, Meredith, Jeff, and Lori. The goal was to collect a quarter of a million bottles and cans that will be converted into cash and donated to the Maine Cancer Foundation.

At the event, Mike Hoffman announced that the team will donate $200 to the Cans for Cure to fight breast cancer. The Pirates would like to thank all of our fans who came down and donated to this worthy cause.

Below, Pirates fan Kate Louise, Brian Salcido, Meredith Manning, Lori Voornas, Mike Hoffman and Jeff Parsons help load the truck with cans.

Monday, October 1
4th Annual Crackers Classic
Dunegrass Golf Club
Portland, Maine - On Monday, October 4th, The Portland Pirates Foundation and TIme Warner Cable hosted the 4th Annual Crackers Golf Classic to benefit the 2007 United Way of Greater Portland Campaign. The annual golf event took place at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Over 100 golfers took part in the event including, Pirates players, coaches and other local celebrities.

Here is a look at the winners:

Low gross - 59
Keith Berkley, Lance Bell, Lisa Foster, Gord Dineen

Low net total - 50.5
Amelia Carney, Steve Locke, Scott Dickinson, Jeremy Schenderling

Closest to the pin – Sue Poliner, 6’ 7”

Longest drive – Ken Davis, 290 yards

Putting contest – Tim Thomas, 2 of 3 putts

Sign-up for Pirates eNews today!