MC Hockey unveils 2010-11 schedule
Featuring a promotion for each of Merrimack's 16 home dates, the Merrimack Athletic Department has released the 2010-11 promotional schedule for its hockey season.
Coming Thursday, updated pictures from the Lawler Completion Project will be posted online at merrimackathletics.com.
The Warriors will open the newly renovated J. Thom Lawler Arena against Connecticut on Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Featuring a pregame fan festival with inflatable games, food, prizes and more, schedule magnets will be distributed to the first fans in the arena. Renowned singer Rene Rancourt of the Boston Bruins will sing the National Anthem.
Merrimack will welcome the 2010 National Champion Boston College Eagles to North Andover on Halloween Celebration Night on Oct. 29. All kids 12 and under will receive a $5 ticket when dressed in their Halloween costumes. The Eagles return to Lawler Arena on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. with the annual Skate with Santa and Merrimack players following the game.
Boston University visits Lawler Arena on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. for Warrior White Out Night. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free white Merrimack hockey T-shirt. The Terriers return on Jan. 12, and all fans in attendance will have a chance to win tickets to the Hockey East Semi-finals at the TD Bank Garden in March
Following the final phase of the Lawler renovations in December, Merrimack will host Maine on Jan. 8 for "Kidsfest." Prior to the game, "Kidsfest" will feature music, inflatable games, prizes, food, cookies and more. Open skating with the Warriors will follow the Black Bear game.
Merrimack's second annual Winter Warrior Weekend is scheduled for a two-game home series with Vermont on Jan. 28 and 29. Rally towels will be handed out Friday, while outdoor events, featuring skating, speed slap shot contest, free food and more are scheduled for Saturday night.
Merrimack will also sponsor a second Rally Towel night on Feb. 12 against UNH as part of Hall of Fame Weekend.
The annual Fan Appreciation Night featuring $1 tickets will conclude the regular season home schedule against Providence on March 4.
Other notable promotions include free admission to all youth groups and $5 advance tickets against the Under-20 Sweden team on Nov. 2, Merrimack Valley Rivalry Night against Lowell on Nov. 20, Family Fun Night against Lowell on Jan. 21, and French-Canadian Night against UMass on Feb. 5.
Free sports injury checks in Wilmington
As a service to the community, Harmeling Physical Therapy and Sports Fitness in Wilmington will open its doors every Sunday morning starting Sept. 12 for free evaluations to injured athletes.
Harmeling Physical Therapy in Wilmington says it "is pleased to provide free Sunday morning sports injury evaluations to the surrounding communities. No appointment is necessary for immediate access to highly qualified physical therapists and athletic trainers. Each athlete will be evaluated and educated about their injury. Harmeling Physical Therapy has strong connections with local orthopedic specialists if additional healthcare is necessary. "
The clinic will be open Sunday mornings from 8 to 9 a.m. from Sept. 12 through Nov. 14. The office is located at 33 Upton Drive in Wilmington, close to Route 125/I-93. For more information acontact Jim O'Brien, DPT at 978-694-1440 or visit our harmelingpt.com.
Phillips Academy grad grabs Yale lax stick
The Yale women's lacrosse team is welcoming 10 incoming first-year student-athletes to the roster, including 5'10" Phillips Academy graduate Katherine Sherrill.
At Phillips, Sherrill earned the Abbot Athletic Award, given annually to a female who has excelled in varsity sports and whose loyalty and good sportsmanship exemplify the highest ideals of Andover athletics. She was also co-captain of the soccer team as a senior, with her soccer team becoming NEPSAC champions in 2007 and 2009. She earned the Sumner Smith Ice Hockey Award, given to a hockey player in good scholastic standing who has contributed the most to the sport and the school through sportsmanship, endeavor and ability.
Sherrill anticipated in ARC Community Service for three years at Andover, spending time with mentally handicapped people, tutored younger Andover students in French and was elected a student representative for the Andover Disciplinary Committee.
Brickman Triathlon comes to town
On Oct. 3, the Merrimack Valley YMCA will host the first annual BrickMan Triathlon in Lawrence. Start time is 8 a.m. The race begins at the Lawrence YMCA, 40 Lawrence St., Lawrence. This is billed as a great race for athletes to wind down your racing season or to try a triathlon for the first time. The swim will be a 250-yard serpentine course in the Lawrence YMCA pool. The bike will consist of three loops of a 3.4 mile bike route. The bike is a non-draft race and a CPSC-approved helmet is required. The run is 4.5 loops around the Campagnone Common providing many opportunities for fans to cheer people on. Chip timing will be provided by New England Timing. If you are new to triathlons or would like to improve your abilities, the YMCA has a training program. Contact Sharon Johnson at 978-685-3541 for more information. Awards will be provided to overall male and female winners; male and female age group winners; Athena and Clydesdale winners; and Team winners: mixed, all male, and all female. Each participant will receive a BrickMan Triathlon T-shirt and finisher's medal. Organizers seek volunteers to help with the race. Please register as a volunteer by sending an email to brickmantri@comcast.net and provide your name, age, and when you would be available to volunteer: prior to race, during race, post race. Every volunteer will receive a BrickMan Triathlon volunteer T-shirt. The presenting sponsor for this event is Lawrence General Hospital. To register for the BrickMan Triathlon go to active.com. Runners must be a minimum of 18-years-old on race day. All proceeds from the BrickMan Triathlon benefit the Merrimack Valley YMCA and Habitat for Humanity.
