FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bill Guerin to Drop First Puck at Johnstown Tomahawks Home Opener
Johnstown, Pennsylvania – September 6, 2013 — Former Pittsburgh Penguin and Stanley Cup Champion Bill Guerin will help the Johnstown Tomahawks open their second season by dropping the ceremonial first puck at the team’s Sept. 14 home opener at the Cambria County War Memorial, the organization announced today.
Guerin, 42, joined the Penguins in 2009, playing alongside Sidney Crosby as the Penguins captured their first Stanley Cup in 17 years, the franchise’s third championship overall. In 2010, Guerin retired as a Pittsburgh Penguin, completing an 18-year career in the NHL that saw him win two Stanley Cups (2008-09 with Pittsburgh and 1994-95 with New Jersey) and finish seventh all-time among American scorers with 429 career goals. He is currently beginning his third season as a player development coach for the Penguins.
In July, Guerin was one of five people elected to the 2013 Class of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. The Worcester, Mass., native was a key member of the 1996 U.S. World Cup of Hockey championship team and also represented the United States in three different Olympics (1998, 2002, and 2006).
“Bill Guerin is one of the most successful and well-known American-born players to ever play in the NHL,” Tomahawks President Richard Bouchard said. “There is no better person to represent the values and goals of organization than Bill Guerin. Through his tremendous skill, grit, toughness, hard work and determination, he forged a Hall of Fame career and led a generation of American-born hockey stars. We are incredibly pleased to have him help us celebrate the start of our second season.”
Guerin’s appearance at the Tomahawks’ home opener will continue a series of successful promotions between the Tomahawks and Pittsburgh Penguins players and alumni. Last season, Mario Lemieux dropped the puck in front of a sell-out crowd of 4,000 fans prior to the team’s first ever home game in Johnstown. The Penguins mascot, Iceburgh, as well as players Chris Kunitz and Matt Cooke also made appearances at Tomahawks games during the team’s inaugural season. Former Penguin Phil Bourque also spoke at a pre-season open-house event last summer.
Guerin’s appearance is one of many highlights the Tomahawks have planned for the home opener against the Port Huron Fighting Falcons. Beginning at 5 p.m., the team will host their Second Annual HockeyFest along Napoleon Street outside the War Memorial. HockeyFest will include live music, food and drinks, and activities for fans as they count down the final moments until the start of the Tomahawks 2013-14 season. Immediately before the 7:30 p.m. game, fans will be treated to a dazzling fireworks show inside the arena.