OFFICIAL RELEASE ON ERIXON

RANGERS RETURN TIM ERIXON TO WHALE

*           *           *           *

Rookie Defenseman Played Four Games in Latest Recall Stint

Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the parent New York Rangers have returned defenseman Tim Erixon to the Whale.

Erixon had been recalled by the Rangers December 19 and skated in four games in his latest NHL stint, registering two penalty minutes and a +2 rating.  In 13 total NHL games in his rookie season, the Port Chester, NY native is scoreless and Even, with eight PIM and six shots on goal.  The 20-year-old, 6-3, 205-pounder is the second-leading point-getter among Whale defensemen, with one goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 14 games.

The Whale are back in action tomorrow night, Friday, December 30, when they travel to Worcester to take on the Sharks in a 7:30 PM game.  All the CT Whale Rockin’ Hockey action can be heard live on “The Rock”, 106.9 FM, WCCC, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com.  The Whale’s next home game is this Saturday night, New Year’s Eve, as they battle the Springfield Falcons.  The Whale will be celebrating the coming of the New Year with a special ticket discount, as all upper-level seats for Saturday’s game will be available for only $5 each at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center.

Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin and Howard Baldwin, Jr..  The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated nearly $21.4 billion in sales and has transferred more than $7.2 billion to the state’s General Fund. Prizes have exceeded $12.3 billion. Purchasers must be 18 years or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238. For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, visit ctlottery.org.