Americans Unveil 2012-13 Promotional Schedule

KENNEWICK, WA – The Tri-City Americans unveiled today a portion of their promotional plans for the 2012-13 season, their 25th in the Mid-Columbia.

As in year’s past, the Americans are proud to continue their caused-based marketing initiatives this year.  Tri-City will kick-off their 25th Anniversary season on Saturday, September 22 vs. the Spokane Chiefs.  That game will feature fundraising efforts for Tri-Cities Rotary, which is gearing up for the 2012 Great Mid-Columbia Duck Race.

Additionally, this season marks the return of the following fundraising nights:

• Friday, October 5 vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes

          o Alzheimer’s Awareness Night, presented by Ray Poland & Sons and Atomic Screenprinting & Embroidery

• Saturday, November 17 vs. Kelowna Rockets

          o KNDU-TV’s Coats for Kids Night, supporting The Salvation Army and presented by Hawthorne Court

• Friday, November 23 vs. Spokane Chiefs

          o Go Purple on Black Friday Night, supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and presented by Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Bergstrom Aircraft and Atomic Screenprinting & Embroidery

• Thursday, December 6 vs. Seattle Thunderbirds

          o Fred Meyer’s Teddy Bear Toss Night, supporting several Mid-Columbia charities

• Friday, December 28 vs. Portland Winterhawks

          o Hockey Helps Haiti Night, supporting New Life Children’s Home and presented by Wildhorse Resort and Casino

• Friday, January 18 vs. Kamloops Blazers

          o Kennewick General Hospital Foundation Night, presented by Kennewick General Hospital

• Saturday, January 26 vs. Portland Winterhawks

          o CH2M Hill Nuclear Night, supporting the Americans’ Continuing Education Fund and presented by CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company

• Tuesday, February 12 vs. Calgary Hitmen

          o Kadlec Neurological Resource Center Night, presented by Kadlec Regional Medical Center

• Friday, February 22 vs. Everett Silvertips

          o Fred Meyer’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night, supporting the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation and presented by SunWest Sportswear and U.S. Linen & Uniform

• Saturday, March 16 vs. Spokane Chiefs

          o Sterling Bank’s Go Green for MDA Night, presented by SunWest Sportswear and U.S. Linen & Uniform

Along with these marquee fundraising games throughout the year, the Americans will mark the return of Scout Night on Nov. 3, a 25th Anniversary Celebration Weekend on Nov. 16 and 17 and Meyers’ Auto Tech’s Fellowship Night on Feb. 8.

On top of the highlighted fundraising nights, the Americans and the Toyota Center are pleased to announce that Dollar Dog Days will return this season.  Tri-City fans can take advantage of $1 hot dogs on the following nights:

• Sunday, September 23 vs. Portland

• Sunday, November 4 vs. Vancouver

• Sunday, December 9 vs. Portland

• Sunday, January 13 vs. Seattle

• Tuesday, February 26 vs. Portland

In addition to Dollar Dog Days being featured on Sunday night home games this season, the Americans will be making a small change to Sunday night contests.  While the 5:05 PM start time will remain the same, Sunday night games will no longer feature the post-game skate with the team.  However, starting with the game on Sept. 23 vs. Portland, the entire team will be set-up in stations around the Toyota Center concourse for an hour to interact with fans, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

“We couldn’t be happier to be working alongside so many worthwhile and motivated charities,” expressed Dan Mulhausen, the Americans’ VP of Business Operations and Marketing Communications.  “For several of these charities, their event with us is their biggest fundraiser of the year and, year-in and year-out, our fans continue to flock to these nights to show their support for their neighbors, co-workers, family and friends.”

“The loss of the post-game skates is disappointing, yet the factors that led to the decision were outside our control,” continued Mulhausen.  “That being said, we feel that we’ve come up with a solution that will, ultimately, provide better access and personal interaction with our players to more people.”

After a busy weekend, the Americans will now head down the homestretch of the 2012 WHL Pre-Season.  Tri-City will wrap-up the exhibition season with a doubleheader weekend, which kicks off on Friday, September 14.  Before traveling to Kelowna for a match-up with the Rockets on Saturday, Tri-City will square off against the rival Spokane Chiefs on Friday at the Toyota Center.  Game time is 7:05 p.m.  Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, or online at ticketmaster.com.