Pens Press Releases…

Since I’ve been gone the Penguins have made several announcements… here are the releases from the past day…

First of all… Paul McCartney will be the first act to take the stage in the new Consol Energy Center. Very exciting news for all involved. Sir Paul is an iconic rock legend and hasn’t been in Pittsburgh for years!  Here is the release…

Paul McCartney to Open CONSOL Energy Center in

Grand Opening Concert

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tickets Go on Sale Monday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m.

Pittsburgh, PA — Paul McCartney, arguably the most successful performer and composer in popular music, will open CONSOL Energy Center on Wednesday August 18, 2010 with a Grand Opening Concert, bringing his Up and Coming 2010 Tour to Pittsburgh.  Keeping with his headline-making special concerts, the tour will feature the iconic star and his band returning to Pittsburgh for the first time in more than 20 years.  McCartney performed back-to-back, sold-out concerts in the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in February, 1990.  Sir Paul made his Pittsburgh debut with The Beatles on September 14, 1964 at the Civic Arena.

The Grand Opening Concert is being promoted by CONSOL Energy Center, and supported by AEG Live by arrangement with Marshall Arts and MPL.

Tickets go on sale Monday, June 14, 10:00 a.m. and will be available at the Mellon Arena Box Office, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000 . Advance tickets are available to American Express Cardmembers beginning Wednesday, June 9 at 10AM through Sunday, June 13 at 10PM.

“We are excited to have an icon like Paul McCartney return to Pittsburgh for the first time in more than 20 years to open CONSOL Energy Center – a world-class performer in a world-class facility,” said Ken Sawyer, CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will operate the arena. “It’s a signal to the city and the region that this more than just a hockey arena or a sports arena. It is a first-class entertainment center.”

McCartney’s live shows have reached a new level of status in recent years, garnering unprecedented reviews from fans and critics alike.  He’s pushed boundaries, performed to millions and made global news with monumental shows including performances in Moscow’s Red Square, outside of the Coliseum in Rome, the largest outdoor show ever in the Ukraine, his first performance in Tel Aviv and a live performance into a NASA space station.  Last year’s Summer ’09 Tour began in earnest with an already legendary inaugural run of shows at New York’s CitiField Stadium, the site of the former Shea Stadium where The Beatles played the 1965 concert that set the precedent for the modern-day stadium rock show.

The Up and Coming 2010 Tour, which kicked off in late March, are McCartney’s first U.S. shows since his five-week ‘Summer Live ‘09′ tour, which was prefaced by a triumphant sold-out headline set at the 2009 Coachella festival and a surprise performance for CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman on the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater (inside which The Beatles made TV history decades ago) that drew throngs packing Broadway from Columbus Circle to Times Square.

Garnering rave reviews the new McCartney show features a typically diverse set list, drawing on 2 plus hours’ worth of selections spanning the catalogues of The Beatles, Wings and Paul’s solo career, including tracks from The Fireman’s 2008 album, Electric Arguments, and potentially some songs never-before-played-on-U.S.-soil added to the set list.

What they’re saying about Paul McCartney Live in 2010:

“When McCartney did an American mini-tour last spring and summer, fans (and, at the Coachella Festival, some curious acolytes) were astonished by shows that stretched out to the two-and-a-half hour mark. Returning to U.S. shores with a slightly revamped revue that he’s dubbed the “Up and Coming Tour,” McCartney now has an even longer set list that brings his concerts up to a plentiful two hours and 45 minutes. In other words, Rosalita ain’t got nothing on Eleanor Rigby.”

— ROLLINGSTONE.COM

“In concert, however, even at 67 years old, McCartney is more like Superman. Watching him perform 40 vocally demanding songs over nearly three hours Saturday night… one could only wonder: How does he do it?”

— THE MIAMI HERALD

“McCartney still sounds terrific, with a voice flexible enough to turn on a dime from raucous to honey sweet in a set that hit all the obvious targets (“Let It Be,” “The Long and Winding Road,” “Hey Jude,” “Get Back,” “Yesterday”) as well as a few surprises.”

–THE FORT LAUDERDALE SUN SENTINEL

“It’s hard to think of much in the pop music world more impressive than a 67-year-old musician holding forth for nearly three hours, outdoors on a chilly March night, while delivering some three dozen songs, the least of which would be a career highlight for almost any other artist.”

— THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

For more information, go to www.paulmccartney.com or www.consolenergycenter.com.

Mark Messier announced the finalists for the Messier Leadership Award and Sidney Crosby was amongst the candidates. I wasn’t at the presser, but I was in the work room when they brought Mess by all of us and announced that they were bringing him to the interview area…unfortunately I was getting ready for my chat with Dave Poulin, but that was well worth it! Great chat with a legend!

Here is the Messier release…

CROSBY, DOAN, MILLER NAMED FINALISTS

FOR MARK MESSIER NHL LEADERSHIP AWARD PRESENTED BY BRIDGESTONE

NEW YORK (June 2, 2010) – Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, Phoenix’s Shane Doan and Buffalo’s Ryan Miller are the three finalists for the 2009-10 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone, the National Hockey League announced today.

The award recognizes an individual as a superior leader in hockey and as a contributing member of society. It honors an individual who leads by positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to community activities and charitable causes.

Mark Messier solicits suggestions from club and League personnel and NHL fans through NHL.com in compiling a list of potential candidates.

However, the selection of the three finalists and the ultimate winner is Messier’s alone.

The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 23, during the 2010 NHL Awards that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada.

Messier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion and 16-time NHL ® All-Star in his 25 NHL seasons, is widely viewed as one of the greatest sports leaders of all time. Among his numerous hockey and humanitarian honors, one of the most special was the naming of the Mark Messier Skyway at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey for his 15 years of dedication and commitment to help raise millions of dollars to benefit children with cancer and other serious blood disorders.

Following are the finalists for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, presented by Bridgestone in alphabetical order:

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Crosby, at the tender age of 22, already has led the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals; became not only the youngest captain in NHL history but also the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup; and scored the decisive goal in overtime to give Team Canada the gold medal in the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament.  While many are familiar with his on-ice accomplishments, Crosby also leads by example off the ice with his extensive charitable work within the community.  Sidney gives of his time generously during the season for Penguins’ related charitable causes

including: the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Project Bundle-up, Penguins’ Charity practice and luncheon, several hospital visits and several post-game meet and greets for various charities.  He also most recently established the Sidney Crosby Foundation, which focuses on youth charities.  In each of the past two seasons, he has teamed up with the Penguins and Dick’s Sporting Goods to introduce hockey to local youngsters by outfitting 600 area children from head to toe with hockey gear through the Little Penguins “Learn to Play Hockey” program. The Cole Harbour native recently was honored by his home province with the Order of Nova Scotia for his community service, another first for someone his age.

Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

Doan, the last remaining player from the franchise’s days in Winnipeg, has served as captain of the Coyotes for past six seasons and has ingrained himself in the Arizona community ever since the organization moved in 1996-97.  He has established himself as a leader both on and off the ice and for years has been considered one of the most respected players in the game, as evidenced by his being selected as Team Canada’s captain at the World Championships for three straight years (2007-09).  Through a bankruptcy proceeding and relocation rumors to a coaching change late in the preseason, Doan kept the Coyotes together this year as they reached new heights on the ice, shattering the franchise records for wins (50) and points (107) in a single season. But most notably, amid the off-ice turmoil, Doan led his team to a place no one expected them to reach a year

ago: the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  His commitment to his teammates, franchise and fans was most evident when, on Dec. 17, Doan became the 42nd player in NHL history to play 1,000 games with one franchise and the 24th player to do it with the team that drafted him.  In the Arizona community, Doan has long been considered one of the most selfless professional athletes in a city that is home to four major professional sports teams.  He serves as an ambassador for Coyotes Charities and works with a number of organizations including the United Blood Services, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Rescue Mission and Flashes of Hope, a nonprofit organization that arranges for professional photographers to visit terminally ill children and take uplifting family portraits.

Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres

Selected by Buffalo in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Miller has been a member of the Sabres for all seven of his NHL seasons.  Miller notably represented Team USA at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, earning a silver medal while being selected MVP of the tournament. While earning his place as one of the League leaders in wins, goals-against average and save percentage this season, Miller also remained extremely dedicated to his

work off-ice within the community.   As the face of the Sabres, Miller is

often called upon to assist with the Buffalo Sabres Foundation in its numerous community events and activities. He regularly spends time after games with fans that are ill, disabled or in need. Miller also participates in experiences that generate significant funds for the Buffalo Sabres Foundation despite the constant demands on his time.  Most prominent is his work with the Steadfast Foundation – the organization he founded to benefit those afflicted with cancer and affected by its consequences, especially childhood forms of the disease.  Inspired by his young cousin’s battle with leukemia, the Steadfast Foundation is a personal passion of Miller’s and has supported numerous patients and their families during difficult times.

Previous winners of the Mark Messier Leadership Award

2006-07 – Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings

2007-08 – Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs

2009-08 – Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

Last but not least, the Penguins will be holding a special shopping day on Saturday from 10am to 6pm. It sounds like there will be some great items available for purchase at the event. If I were you, I would check it out!

Here is the release…

PENGUINS TO HOLD ‘SPECIAL SHOPPING DAY’

SATURDAY AT MELLON ARENA

PenStation Team Store Also Offers “Moving Sale” Thursday-Saturday

The Pittsburgh Penguins will place hundreds of unique products including sticks, bobblehead dolls and assorted autographed items up for sale during the team’s ‘Special Shopping Day’ at Mellon Arena on Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.

The sale will take place at the ‘Traditions’ store located inside Mellon Arena.  Shoppers are instructed to enter the building via Gate 9.

In addition to 100 sticks from current and former Penguins players, hundreds of replica sticks, skates, street banners, t-shirts and collectibles, including Final Regular Season Game Commemorative Tickets crafted by Wendell August Forge, as well as other items will be sold while supplies last.

Fans are also advised that PenStation, the Official Team Store of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will hold a “Moving Sale” sale from Thursday through Saturday.

PenStation shoppers can save 40% off the entire stock of ladies, men’s and youth apparel as well as novelties and collectibles during the sale.  Shoppers can also save 30% off the current stock of jerseys.

PenStation, located at Gate 1 at Mellon Arena, will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.