Rivermen Release 2016-2017 Promotional Schedule

September 19, 2016 - 04:50 pm

PEORIA, IL - The Peoria Rivermen, proud members of the Southern Professional Hockey League, are excited to announce their full promotional schedule for the 2016-17 season. In addition to previously announced appearances by Ben Zobrist and Julianna Zobrist, the Rivermen will host the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at a game this season, as well as a slew of improved giveaway nights throughout the season.
 
"At the end of our 2015-16 season, we set two primary goals for ourselves from a front-office standpoint," said Rivermen owner Bart Rogers. "We wanted to enhance the fan experience at Carver Arena for our fans by improving our game-night presentation, and we wanted to continue to bring more outstanding appearances, theme nights, and high-quality giveaways for our fans. If you look at our promotional calendar, and if you attend a game this season, I feel you will see that we have achieved both of those goals and then some. Of course, none of this would be possible without continued support from fans and sponsors in the Central Illinois area. We can't thank those individuals and organizations enough for supporting us and allowing us to continue doing what we do."
 
Peoria's home schedule begins October 21 and 22 at Carver Arena against the Huntsville Havoc, with the first 1500 fans at each game receiving Rivermen magnetic schedules courtesy of Envision Insurance and Auto Owners. Additionally, October 21 and 22 will be Bruce Saurs Hockey Weekend in Peoria with 2-for-$20 tickets in select areas, and $2.50 Draft Beers on the 22nd courtesy of Bud, Bud Light, and Savor.
 
After a weekend trip to Macon, the Rivermen will return home November 4 and 5 against Pensacola, with November 4 being Peoria's Rivermen Presidential Election Night, including a mock entrance election before the election the following Tuesday. Friday night's game will also feature a canned food drive for CityLink Stuff-A-Bus campaign, with a special offer available to fans who bring a canned food item to the game. November 5 will be Peoria's first Chicago Blackhawks night, with an appearance by the Blackhawks Bud Light Ice Girls, and $4 20-oz domestic draft beers for Savor's Happy Hour from 6-8:30 p.m.
 
The Rivermen will hold the first of their specialty jersey nights on November 12 when they take on Huntsville, with Veteran/Military Appreciation Night including USA/Camo style jerseys to be worn by the Rivermen and auctioned off after the game. Additionally, the November 12 game will include an Army swearing-in ceremony on the ice, and a snack drive for Fuller House, as well as an appearance by the Par A Dice Crew on Par A Dice Hotel and Casino night.
 
Peoria's next home series will be November 25 and 26 against Evansville. Friday, November 25 will include a Black Friday ticket promotion, with $5 Pilot House and $10 premium tickets when purchased through the Rivermen office from 10 AM to 3 PM on Black Friday. Friday will also be the Salvation Army's annual Coats for Kids drive, with new or gently used coats accepted for donation by the Salvation Army.
 
November 26 will be declared Ben Zobrist Day by the city of Peoria, as the Chicago Cubs All-Star infielder and 2015 World Series champion will be appearing on the concourse to sign autographs as part of Hometown Heroes night Presented by CEFCU and co-sponsored by the Peoria Civic Center. Fans can purchase ticket packages online at rivermenteamstore.com that include a premium lower-bowl ticket for the game, a guaranteed autograph and a chance to win other autographed items throughout the night for a grand total of $30.
 
Peoria's December 9 home game will feature a Rivermen team flip calendar for the first 3,000 fans. December 9 will also be college night, with numerous area colleges in the Peoria area invited to attend and support their school.
 
Peoria's next home game will be December 17 on Star Wars night, with special Star Wars jerseys worn by the Rivermen and auctioned off after the game, and Star Wars characters appearing on the concourse throughout the game.
 
After Star Wars night, the Rivermen will next be at home for New Year's Weekend, with a Rivermen stocking cap given away to the first 1000 fans on December 30 courtesy of Unity Point Health Peoria. After that, the Rivermen will be hosting a New Years Eve celebration at their December 31 game, with $2.50 draft beers courtesy of Bud, Bud Light, and Savor.
 
The Rivermen will open the 2017 portion of their home schedule with a youth jersey giveaway to the first 750 kids 12 and under courtesy of Pekin Insurance on January 13 against Macon. Saturday, January 14 will be the night the Rivermen induct ECHL Rivermen defenseman Dan Hodge into the Rivermen Hall of Fame, with the Rivermen wearing special jerseys honoring "The Double Deuce" as well as a Rivermen Legends Poster giveaway to the first 2000 fans.
 
After their Hall of Fame night, the Rivermen will host the season's first PNC Bank Sunday Family Fun Day on January 15, with $1 tickets for kids 12 and under, and $1 hot dogs. The game will also include pregame inflatables, face painting, and balloon animals courtesy of Fun on the Run, Wild Style Design, and Unique Twist, respectively. In lieu of a post-game player skate, players will sign autographs on the concourse after the game.
 
January 20's game against Columbus will be another Pad A Dice Hotel and Casino night, and Saturday January 21 will be Faith and Family night sponsored by Trouble Free Heating and Cooling and Chick-Fil-A, featuring a postgame concert by acclaimed singer Julianna Zobrist.
 
The Rivermen will give away 1000 adult jerseys sponsored by Farmers Insurance on February 4, which will also be Teacher Appreciation Night.
 
Peoria's February 17 home game will include an appearance by Chicago Cubs mascot "Clark". Additionally, the night will be the season's first T Shirt Giveaway night, with the first 1000 fans in the doors receiving Rivermen T Shirts courtesy of Homefield Energy.
 
February 18 will be one of the season's premiere promotional nights, with an appearance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Additionally, it will be Future Farmers of America night, and another Savor Happy Hour night, with $4 domestic draft beers. February 19 will be another PNC Bank Family Fun Day, with a free post-game skate with the Rivermen on the Carver Arena ice.
 
The Rivermen will be giving away 1000 Rivermen Fleece Blankets courtesy of Unity Point Health Peoria at the February 24 game between the Rivermen and the Evansville Thunderbolts. Peoria's next home game on March 3 against Roanoke will be the next T Shirt night, sponsored by Western Illinois University and paired with an appearance by the Leathernecks mascot Col. Rocky.
 
Saturday, March 4 is scheduled as another Chicago Blackhawks night, with an appearance by the Bud Light Ice Girls as well as a Blackhawks alumnus to be announced. The Rivermen will wear special Blackhawks-themed jerseys to be auctioned off postgame, and it will be another $2.50 draft beer night courtesy of Bud, Bud Light, and Savor. That weekend will conclude with another PNC Bank Sunday Family Fun Day game with the Rail Yard Dawgs.
 
After March 5, the Rivermen will be on the road for three consecutive weekends before returning home for the season's final full weekend. March 31's game against Fayetteville will be National Wildlife Turkey Federation Night with the Rivermen, with appearances by Michael Waddell, Joe Shults, and Ray Eye, and the Rivermen wearing special NWTF camouflage jerseys to be auctioned off after the game. The following night will be Peoria's annual CEFCU Fan Fest, with a team photo given away to the first 3000 fans courtesy of CEFCU and Konica Minolta, and players and coaches will sign autographs on the concourse after the game. Additionally, the game will be another Savor Happy Hour, with $4 20-oz domestic draft beers until 8:30. The home portion of Peoria's season will conclude with another PNC Bank Sunday Family Fun Day, with a post-game regular season jersey auction.
 
Group, Season, and single-game tickets for Peoria's 35th season of professional hockey are on sale now at the Rivermen office, located at 201 S.W. Jefferson Street, or over the phone at (309) 676-1040. For the latest Rivermen news and notes, follow online at www.rivermen.net or through Facebook (www.facebook.com/PeoriaRivermen) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/Peoria_Rivermen)