LEWISTON – The pieces seem to be coming together for the Lewiston Maineiacs regarding their upcoming training camp, and a partial schedule is available.
According to team officials, training camp will start Aug. 12, as advertised, and will feature four days of practices and games.
The team will run practices in the morning and will showcase itself with inter-squad games in the evening on Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be two sessions of inter-squad games in the morning and in either the afternoon or evening.
As far as construction is concerned, and how that may impact the training camp, officials are assuring the public that though the front end of the Colisee will still be under construction, the ice surface and viewing areas will be ready to go.
“We got a nice surprise this week when the steel showed up,” Maineiacs Vice President and Gov. Matt McKnight said. “We should be able to start putting in the pilings for the front end very soon.”
McKnight would not say whether or not the construction would be complete before the first home game of the season on Oct. 1, saying only that it would be “close.”
Game on!
If you were looking for a fun way to celebrate the Lewiston Maineiacs’ arrival in August and at the same time watch their training camp, the organization has the solution: You can play your way in.
The Maineiacs will host the Oxford Networks Street Hockey Festival on Aug. 14 and 15 in the parking lot of the Colisee, and as part of the entry fee ($100 per team or $20 per individual), participants will receive free admission to all Maineiacs training camp games.
“It gives us an opportunity to let the community do something they all grew up doing,” McKnight said.
All teams will be issued a 2004 Maineiacs Street Hockey Festival T-shirt that will double as a team jersey, and all participants will get free lunch on Saturday, Aug. 14. Maineiac money will be awarded to the winners in each of five divisions: youth (13-under), high school (14-17), adult (Co-ed), girls (all ages), or corporate/business.
All information regarding the tournament can be obtained by calling Chris Manson at 333-FANS (3267), ext. 216.
Party time
With the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft behind them, Maineiacs fans can now turn their attention to the NHL draft, which will take place in North Carolina on Saturday, June 26.
To celebrate potential first-round pick Alexandre Picard’s success, the organization has teamed up with Gipper’s to offer an NHL Draft Party, starting at noon. Radio station WBLM will be on hand with a live remote broadcast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Picard is ranked third overall among North American skaters at this year’s draft, and has been projected as an early-to-mid first-round pick in several mock drafts.
Defenseman Jonathan Paiement, who was voted the league’s best defenseman last season, will also be on hand at the draft and might also be drafted in the first few rounds.
“This event is a great opportunity for Maineiacs season-ticket holders, and everyone else in the community to get together during the off-season and show support for our guys who will write a new chapter in Maine’s hockey history as they seek to become the first Lewiston Maineiacs to be drafted by the National Hockey League,” McKnight said.
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