From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Saturday, October 06, 2007

HOUSTON AEROS OPEN SEASON AT HOME AGAINST CHICAGO TONIGHT

ERIK REITZ NAMED OPENING NIGHT CAPTAIN

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) begin the regular season tonight at 7:35 p.m., hosting the Chicago Wolves at Toyota Center. The first 3,000 fans entering Toyota Center will receive a “Get to Know the Game” puck to kick off the season.

D Erik Reitz has been named the opening night captain. The team will rename the captaincy early next week. Retiz played in 73 games with the Aeros tallying career-highs with 34 points, nine goals and 25 assists and 132 PIM last season. He marked eight multi-point games, six being two-assist games. Marked three power-play and three short-handed goals. Reitz also ranked second on team defensemen with 34 points, sixth overall.

Five things you need to know
Twelve of the 24 players on the Aeros’ Opening Night roster spent at least part of the 2006-07 regular season with the Aeros. Included in that list are defensemen Paul Albers, Shawn Belle, Erik Reitz, Clayton Stoner and John Scott. The returning forwards are Ryan Hamilton, Peter Olvecky, Roman Voloshenko, Danny Irmen, Joel Ward, Benoit Pouliot and Aaron Voros.

Prior to the Aeros dropping their home opener last season to the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Aeros had won three of their previous four home openers. Since coming to the Toyota Center in 2003, Houston is 2-2 in home openers. This is the thrid straight season the Aeros have opened up the regular season at the Toyota Center.

As they open their 14th season tonight and second season since the beloved “Bomber” logo returned, the Aeros, along with the other 28 American Hockey League teams, will don the new Rbk EDGE jerseys. The new uniforms feature technologically-advanced materials and fabrics that are more breathab le, more resistant to water absorption and offer greater range of motion for today’s hockey player.

The Aeros will welcome four rookies at the Toyota Center tonight. Cal Clutterbuck, Maxim Noreau, Morten Madsen and Matt Kassian are all entering their first season as professionals.

Houston D Erik Reitz is the Aeros’ all-time leader in PIM with 622 since the team joined the American Hockey League. Only two Aeros have more PIM than Reitz - Trent Cull (724), and Steve Jaques (634). Reitz has also played in 314 games since the team joined the AHL which is just one behind former Aero Curtis Murphy for the all-time team lead.

FYI
Wolves at Aeros (Aeros are 41-31-14-4 all-time, Aeros are 24-11-8-2 at Houston) Tonight is the 91st all-time meeting between the teams – 46th for Houston at home.
Houston took three of the eight regular season meetings in 2006-07. They were 1-3 at the Toyota Center, and the teams split four games in Chicago at the Allstate Arena.
In four of the last six seasons, Houston has had a winning record against the Wolves.
Chicago beat Houston 4-1 in their last game at the Allstate Arena 3/7/07, and 8-0 in their last game at Toyota Center 2/18/07. The Aeros last victory over Chicago was on 2/17/07 in a 4-1 win at the Toyota Center.
The winning team scored four or more goals in all eight games played last season.
The Aeros allowed a team-high 51 shots on goal to Houston in their last game 3/7/07.