Johnstown, PA – National Hockey League legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull will drop the puck on the Johnstown Tomahawks’ fourth season in the North American Hockey League on Friday, Oct. 16, marking the start of the Tomahawks’ exciting 2015-16 promotional schedule.
Hull, nicknamed “The Golden Jet,” is a two-time Hart Memorial trophy winner as the NHL’s most valuable player and a three-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL’s top scorer. The Stanley Cup champion played most of his 23-year professional career with the Chicago Blackhawks but also several years with the Winnipeg Jets and part of one season with the Hartford Whalers.
Known for his incredible, 118-miles-per-hour slap shot, Hull finished his pro career as the second leading goal scorer in NHL history at the time, with 913 goals and 895 assist for a total of 1,808 points over 1,474 games. The first player to ever score 50 goals in a season, he currently ranks ninth on the NHL’s all-time goal scoring list, despite playing seven seasons with the Jets in the World Hockey Association.
Hull’s appearance at the Tomahawks’ Oct. 16 home opener will include an opportunity for fans to meet the all-time great for autographs and photos.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have an NHL legend like Bobby Hull on board to help us open our fourth season at the newly revamped Cambria County War Memorial Arena,” Tomahawks team president Richard Bouchard said. “Bobby Hull is an unquestioned superstar of the game. Hockey fans everywhere know his name, and it will be an incredibly exciting opportunity for our fans to meet him up close and in person on Oct. 16.”
The Tomahawks home opener is against the New Jersey Titans – one of three new teams in the NAHL’s new East Division. It will be the first NAHL game played at the War Memorial Arena following upgrades and repairs to the arena’s scoreboard, playing surface, and sound and lighting systems – as well as additions of protective netting, player benches, dasher boards and glass previously used by NHL teams.
The Tomahawks complete their opening weekend on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the fourth annual “HawkeyFest” presented by Sheetz. The event will include a pre-game party outside the arena with live music, games, and food beginning at 5 p.m. The night is also Hockey Heritage Night, featuring appearances from several notable players from Johnstown’s storied hockey history.
Notable dates in November’s promotional schedule include the second “Hockey and Education Day” on Nov. 12, as the Tomahawks welcome visiting school groups to the arena for a 10:30 a.m. game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, plus an array of educational opportunities. On Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, Safelite Auto Glass will sponsor an appearance of the United States Honor Flag as the team pays tribute to area first responders recently lost in the line of duty. Nov. 13 Nov. 14 is also Military Appreciation Night, as the team offers free tickets for veterans and active duty military personnel. Other highlights include an Eat N’ Park kids meal giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 21, a team calendar giveaway presented by Gazette Printers on Friday, Nov. 27, and the annual Teddy Bear Toss plus a team poster giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 28.
December’s promotions include the return of the popular “Undies Sunday” underwear toss at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. Last year’s inaugural Undies Sunday gained national publicity as it raised money and awareness for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The Tomahawks also continue their tradition of New Year’s Eve hockey on Thursday, Dec. 31, with a 6 p.m. game against visiting Kenai River. The game is presented by OneMain Financial and will include a $500 cash giveaway to help one lucky fan fulfill a New Year’s Resolution.
The Tomahawks’ January schedule begins with “Ladies Night” on Saturday, Jan. 2, featuring special deals and in-game activities for groups of female fans. Saturday, Jan. 9, is the fourth annual “Face-Off Against Cancer” game held in conjunction with Conemaugh Health System and Somerset Hospital. Kids of all ages will want to see the zany ZOOperstars! appearance on Friday, Jan. 22, as the hilarious inflatable mascots will be on-hand to entertain fans. The month’s schedule wraps up on Saturday, Jan. 23, with the fourth annual Guns N’ Hoses charity game, organized with the participation of local first responders to benefit Special Olympics.
February’s games include the annual Red Out to raise awareness for the American Heart Association on Friday, Feb. 12 – also the start of Youth Hockey Weekend, which offers discounts all weekend long for youth hockey players and their families. The next night, area little leaguers and their families are invited to participate in the first ever Little League Night on Saturday, Feb. 13. The February calendar concludes on Saturday, Feb. 27, with the return of the fourth annual Pucks & Paws Night, during which fans are invited to bring their furry friends to the game to benefit a number of local animal-related charities.
March opens with the second Faith & Family Night of the season on Friday, March 11, followed by a special Cambria County War Memorial collectible giveaway honoring Johnstown’s victory as 2015 Kraft Hockeyville USA on Saturday, March 12. The Tomahawks will don green specialty jerseys for the first time in team history on Irish Night, set for Friday, March 18. The month ends with a team photo giveaway on Saturday, March 19.
On Saturday, April 2, the Tomahawks finish their season with Fan Appreciation Night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The entire 2015-16 Johnstown Tomahawks season is presented by OneMain Financial, who will also sponsor post-game skates with the team on the season’s two Sunday afternoon games on Nov. 22 and Dec. 6. Fans are encouraged to bring their own skates, as rentals are not available.
“This season’s promotional schedule includes a mix of popular returning theme nights, as well as a number of new and exciting events our fans have not yet seen,” Tomahawks director of business operations Jean Desrochers said. “With all hockey-crazed momentum our city will have this month stemming from the NHL preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning here in our arena, we invite everyone to War Memorial this season to experience what makes Johnstown America’s most passionate hockey community.”
Full- and half-season ticket packages are available now at JohnstownTomahawks.com or by calling 814-536-4625. Packages for your choice of 14 games begin at less than $98 for adults or $70 for kids 12 and under.
The complete promotional schedule includes:
Friday, October 16 (7 p.m.): Bobby Hull appearance; magnetic schedule giveaway
Saturday, October 16 (7 p.m.): 4th Annual “HawkeyFest” presented by Sheetz; magnetic schedule giveaway; Hockey Heritage Night featuring local Johnstown hockey legends
Thursday, November 12 (10:30 a.m.): 2nd Annual Hockey & Education Day
Friday, November 13 (7 p.m.): Faith & Family Night; US Honor Flag appearance presented by Safelite Auto Glass
Saturday, November 14 (7 p.m.): Military Appreciation Night (specialty jersey auction and free tickets for veterans and active duty military); US Honor Flag appearance presented by Safelite Auto Glass
Sunday, November 22 (3 p.m.): Non-Profit Day (ticket discounts for area non-profit groups); Scouts Day
(discounts and activities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts); post-game skate presented by OneMain Financial
Friday, November 27 (7 p.m.): Team calendar giveaway presented by Gazette Printers
Saturday, November 28 (7 p.m.): Team poster giveaway; Teddy Bear Toss
Sunday, December 6 (3 p.m.): Santa Claus appearance; “Undies Sunday” underwear toss benefitting the Children’s Tumor Foundation; post-game skate presented by OneMain Financial
Thursday, December 31 (6 p.m.): New Year’s Eve; Resolution cash giveaway presented by OneMain Financial
Saturday, January 2 (7 p.m.): Ladies Night
Saturday, January 9 (7 p.m.): Face-Off Against Cancer presented by Conemaugh Health System and Somerset Hospital; Specialty jersey auction
Friday, January 22 (7 p.m.): Kids Night; ZOOperstars! appearance
Saturday, January 23 (7 p.m.): 4th Annual Guns N’ Hoses Charity Game (benefits Special Olympics)
Friday, February 12 (7 p.m.): Red-Out Night; Youth Hockey Weekend
Saturday, February 13 (7 p.m.): Little League Night; Youth Hockey Weekend
Saturday, February 27 (7 p.m.): 4th Annual Pucks & Paws Night
Friday, March 11 (7 p.m.): Faith & Family Night
Saturday, March 12 (7 p.m.): Cambria County War Memorial Arena Collectible Giveaway
Friday, March 18 (7 p.m.): Irish Night; Specialty jersey auction
Saturday, March 19 (7 p.m.): Team photo giveaway
Saturday, April 2 (7 p.m.): Fan Appreciation Night