WHALE INNOVATE TO MOTIVATE 

Before I took on the task of attempting to be an expert and a strong columnist, I was a big Hartford Wolf Pack (as they were called) fan, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to unleash my inner Connecticut Whale fan for a moment…

Word came today that the CTWhale will have a new incentive plan to purchase season’s tickets next year. For those who do buy the plan you’ll get a custom jersey fleece sweatshirt… Okay, that’s kind of cool, but ultimately no big deal. BUT… what they are doing is giving you and three other guests entrance into the the Luxury Director’s Suite for a game and that, my loyal Howlings readers, is WAY cool. I’ve been in that suite before and you can bet your bottom dollar that you’d have a blast and get to spend some time with some pretty good muckety-mucks… If you’re on the fence about it, this is worth a lot of dough-ray-me and given the rest of the flexibility, it’s something you should jump on…

That’s just my two cents… And now, back to my normal objective self…

Here’s the official release:

WHALE ANNOUNCE NEW BENEFITS FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

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Full 2012-13 Season Seat-holders to Receive Access to Director’s Suite and Exclusive Jersey Fleece Sweatshirt

HARTFORD, January 27, 2012:  Whalers Sports & Entertainment president and COO Howard Baldwin, Jr. today announced two new benefits for Connecticut Whale full season-ticket purchasers.

Season seat-holders who reserve their full-season 2012-13 Whale tickets by April 15 will receive access for four people to the luxurious CT Whale Director’s Suite at the XL Center, for one Whale 2012-13 home game.  This allows the opportunity to watch the game alongside Whale executive personnel and special guests, and to enjoy all of the high-end amenities of the Director’s Suite.

Additionally, all Whale full-season 2012-13 subscribers who purchase by April 15 will receive a custom-made, high-quality season ticket-holder jersey fleece sweatshirt.  The jersey fleece sweatshirt will be exclusive to Whale full-season ticket-holders, and will feature a “Season Ticket Holder 2012-13” patch that designates it as a unique item.

“We are always looking for ways to make Whale season seats an even more attractive package,” Baldwin, Jr. said.  “And these are two more great benefits to add to an already-long list.  Our season seat-holders are our most-valued supporters as we work to energize the Connecticut hockey market to its greatest potential, and we are proud to offer our best customers this premier luxury-level opportunity and this special apparel piece.”

Existing benefits for Whale season seat-holders also include: a skate-with-the-team party, convenient payment plan options, a ticket-exchange program, a meet-the-team party, a 10% discount on Whale merchandise, a personal account executive and guaranteed giveaway items.

For more information on purchasing Whale season tickets, the free night in the Director’s Suite and the exclusive season seat-holder sweatshirt, call (860) 728-3366, visit the Season Ticket Holder table behind Section 101 at a Whale home game or log on to www.ctwhale.com.

The Whale are in home-ice action tonight at the XL Center against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, with faceoff at 7:00 PM.  That begins the Whale’s “Trading Card Weekend”, as 5,000 fans will receive the Whale’s second set of player trading cards, sponsored by Webster Bank.  The featured players for this set are All-Star Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, Cam Talbot, Ryan Bourque, Kelsey Tessier, Jordan Owens and, in a historical tribute, former Hartford Wolf Pack star Ryan Callahan, now captain of the parent New York Rangers.

Then tomorrow night, this Saturday, January 28, when the Springfield Falcons visit the XL Center for a 7:00 game, will feature a giveaway of additional sets of the first group of Whale trading cards.  That array included cards of All-Star Mats Zuccarello, Wade Redden, Kris Newbury, Chad Johnson and Carl Hagelin.  Also, after the game tomorrow night, Audy-Marchessault and Zuccarello will conduct an autograph session in the XL Center atrium to sign their cards.

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.

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.

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