SummerScribes, September 1 edition

HOUSTON – Where did it go, Aeros fans? As the calendar turned to September hours ago, and believe it or not, some temperatures around Houston dropped into the 60’s (ok, 68 or 69) this morning, we’re reminded by the Aeros.com Countdown that there are 36 days until Opening Night! We said last edition would be the last, but back by popular demand, we’ll send summer off in style.

SummerScribes feedback, as always, is welcomed – send to qanda@aeros.com.

We briefly interrupt this SummerScribes for a non hockey moment – anyone else’s eyes bleary this morning from staying up to watch the Andre Agassi/Marcos Baghdatis match last night at the U.S. Open in Flushing, N.Y.?

It was easily the best non Jimmy Connors or John McEnroe match at the Open in the Scribe’s lifetime. Compelling – yes I just used compelling for tennis on television. Nearly four hours of tennis – 48 hours after Agassi outlasted Andrei Pavel in a long match – with Baghdatis cramping up against a man 15 years his elder.

Tennis gets a bad rap – especially on TV. But the night session at the Open, especially involving Agassi – in his last championship – goes right up there with The Masters, Yankees World Series game and some others on the Scribe’s “Must Do List”.

The Scribe was chatting with a couple of friends online last night – they called him crazy for even watching the match in the second set. By the seventh deuce in the ninth game of the fifth set – they were hanging on every point as well.

Here’s to Agassi – a true champion in every aspect. His run is likely nearing an end, although I wouldn’t say that to his face. The New Yorkers respect that – for much of the night I thought I was watching a European soccer match, with the 23,000-plus chanting his name between points. Who cares about the U.S. getting stunned by Greece (What?) at the World Basketball Championships when this pure drama is happening on our own soil.

Family Days, Birthday packages announced
The Aeros' popular Family Days package is back and better than ever! Also, spend your birthday with the Aeros, with the help of Cold Stone Creamery! Click here to visit the birthday page.

Jerseys are in!
Thanks to great work by “Crazy Jim” Gadd, Bomber jerseys are in!!! Be the first in line for a "Bomber" jersey. Call Crazy Jim at 713.361.7941, or e-mail him to order. Free shipping before 9/15! And season ticketholders, don't forget about your 15% discount!

More videos added!
As promised, more videos have been uploaded to the Aeros.com Multimedia Page. We've got a retro fight video, plus a retro pre-game video, with more to come from the video vault!

Calling all schools
Want to raise money for your child’s school’s PTO/PTA? Would you like for their choir/band/dance team to perform at an Aeros game? Have Chilly visit their school? Contact community programs coordinator Cliff Owens at 713.361.7953, or cowens@aeros.com.

Wild prospects take to the ice
The unofficial start of hockey season is a week from today, when the 2006 NHL Center I.C.E. Prospects Tournament takes flight in Traverse City, Mich.

The Wild’s team is coached by Aeros coach Rob Daum and assistant Matt Shaw. Nine of the 20 players on the roster were Aeros at some point last season – and a dozen or more from the camp could easily see time in Houston in 2006-07.

Fans can visit www.wild.com for game results and highlights from the tournament, which concludes September 12, just before the Wild’s training camp opens.

“Gus” lands in Anchorage
AHL signings are slowing down with NHL camps beginning in two weeks, but a familiar face has found a new home – Derek Gustafson. “Gus”, a member of the Aeros’ 2003 Calder Cup championship team, signed this week with the ECHL’s Alaska Aces. Gustafson played last season with now defunct Adirondack of the UHL.

Opening Weekend getting close!
The Aeros begin the American Hockey League regular season on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 7:35 p.m. against Grand Rapids at Toyota Center. Book your group’s priority seating today by calling 713.974.PUCK. Individual game tickets will go on sale in September. On Sunday, Oct. 8, the Aeros welcome back Mr. Hockey ® Gordie Howe at their 5:05 p.m. game against Iowa. Call 713.974.PUCK today to learn how to watch part of the game with Mr. Hockey ®, who will also be host of a special afternoon meet and greet with amateur hockey players.

Pre-season game in Sugar Land on Sept. 30
The Aeros, in conjunction with Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center, have announced that they will host the San Antonio Rampage in a pre-season game on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Aeros’ Official Training Facility.

Tickets, which will go on sale on Tuesday, Sept. 12, are $7 and can be purchased at the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center Pro Shop, or by calling 281.265.7469. Capacity for the game is 450. The Aeros and Rampage have played in front of sellout crowds in each of the last two pre-seasons.

Houston will play at San Antonio on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. at the Ice Center at Northwoods.

The Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center’s Pro Shop Hours are:

Monday (Closed)
Tuesday (9:30am-9 pm)
Wednesday (3pm-9 pm)
Thursday (3pm-9 pm)
Friday (9:30am-10 pm)
Saturday (9:30am-10 pm)
Sunday (9:30am-8 pm)

HAC says “Golf with an Aero”
Would you like to play golf with an Aero on your team? Make sure to mark your calendar for the 12th Annual Houston Aeros Golf Classic which will be held on Tuesday, November 28th. This year’s tournament will be held at Wildcat Golf Club with proceeds benefiting Houston Aeros Charities and Elves & More. Golf teams are selling quickly so click here for sponsorship information!

Puck Pals now free!
Chilly’s Puck Pals is back and better than ever - FREE! Click here to join. Puck Pals includes a free ticket to all three Puck Pals games, one birthday game voucher, an e-newsletter, coupon for merchandise discount, a Chilly autograph session and an event with an Aeros player!

Puck Pals is open to children 12 and under. Please contact Mary Barton at 713.361.7950 or mbarton@aeros.com for more details!

Become a Season Ticket Holder!
Want your chance to enjoy the very best prices in the same seat for 13, 22, or all 40 home games? Looking for a dynamic and exciting way to entertain business associates? Aeros season seat plans are going fast this summer, so call 713.974.PUCK today to join the fun. Click here for more information. Want to secure your seat today, or think a voucher book is the thing for you? Call 713.974.PUCK today!

Just because SummerScribes is over, doesn’t mean you can’t send feedback or questions to the Scribe. Click here and shoot The Scribe a note anytime!.

That’s it, Aeros fans. We’ll see you again next summer!