Latest news with #Otters
Fox Sports
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Top NHL draft prospects have breakfast with Marchand, meet McDavid at the Stanley Cup Final
Associated Press SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Visiting the Stanley Cup Final weeks before hearing their names called early in the NHL draft, top prospects Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, James Hagens and Jake O'Brien got a surprise at the Panthers' practice facility on Monday. Brad Marchand pulled up a chair and joined them for breakfast. The 37-year-old veteran shared some laughs and chatted with them hours before he and the Florida Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3. 'You think you're just going to say hi, and then you're sitting at a table with Marchand and he's talking to you,' Schaefer said. 'We were talking about the draft and the (scouting) combine, and he was like, 'I didn't get to go there.' And he's laughing, and I'm like, 'Well, look where you are now: You're in the Stanley Cup Final.'" Schaefer, Misa, Hagens and O'Brien also met Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and took in the Oilers' morning skate. Schaefer first met McDavid in January when the three-time MVP returned to Erie, where his No. 97 was retired by the Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. This interaction — in the arena where McDavid was drafted first a decade ago — went a little smoother. 'I didn't think I was going to have to talk at his jersey retirement, and then I ended up talking to him,' Schaefer recalled. 'I ran out of things to say, and I ended up looking at McDavid and go, 'I'm proud of you.' Nobody would say that." Schaefer is NHL Central Registry's top-ranked prospect, though there is still considerable debate as to whom among Schaefer, Misa and Hagens the New York Islanders will select with the first pick after winning the draft lottery. Hagens grew up on Long Island cheering for them and went to games at Nassau Coliseum. Recently, he saw a bumper sticker that read, 'Bring Hagens home,' but he's also a realist about the possibility of his hometown team not selecting him. 'I just want to be (with) a team that wants me the most — I want to play for any of these teams,' Hagens said. 'It's just a competitive nature that you want to be the first person off the board. It's exciting, so I can't wait.' RNH a game-time call Edmonton's longest-tenured player, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, missed practice Sunday, skated some on Monday and is considered a game-time decision, coach Kris Knoblauch said. It is not clear what is ailing Nugent-Hopkins, though he is expected to take part in pregame warmups. Jeff Skinner, who played an NHL-record 1,078 regular-season games before finally making his playoff debut earlier this spring, is on standby if Nugent-Hopkins cannot go. Skinner has been a healthy scratch for all but two of the Oilers' 18 games this postseason. 'It's just part of being a team,' Skinner said. 'You've got to have guys who are ready to step in when there's an opportunity.' 'Trading' Barkov Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov did not register a point in either of the first two games of the final and has a minus-4 rating. Leave it to coach Paul Maurice, ever the jokester, to cut the tension. 'We're trading him.' Maurice quipped. "No, I'm not (worried) at all. There's action at both ends of the ice all the time. I don't think this is a statistical series because it's not relatable to series that you played in the past. Shot attempts, the sheer volume of quality offense driven by both teams and at the same time, both teams are defending very well. He got a minus on the 4 on 4 with a heck of a shot block, but it's in the back of the net.' Barkov recently won the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward for a third time. He played a big role in keeping McDavid off the scoresheet in Game 7 of the final last year when Florida won 2-1 to capture the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. ___ AP NHL playoffs: and recommended
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Evansville Flag Group and Otters to raise money for Marvin Gray tribute
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Evansville Flag Group and the Evansville Otters will be raising funds to construct a permanent memorial outside of Bosse Field in honor of Flag Chairman Marvin Gray. Marvin was a regular fixture at Otters and Triplets games for over 50 years, raising the flag before Otters games and manually operating the scoreboard at Bosse Field. In honor of his legacy as a lifelong Evansville Sports fan, the Evansville Flag Group has started a GoFundMe to raise money for a lasting tribute to Marvin nearly a decade since his passing. The Evansville Otters will wear city flag jerseys on June 14, Flag Day, in his honor and to raise awareness of the GoFundMe campaign for his memorial. After the game, fans will be able to see a fireworks display in celebration of Marvin's life. An auction will be held for fans to bid on the jerseys won by the Otters during the Flag Day game. Officials say proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting Otter's baseball, which was a cause Marvin championed during his lifetime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Exciting Experiences Await Travelers this Summer in Daytona Beach
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daytona Beach area, known for its beautiful beaches, rich motorsports history and family-friendly attractions, will have new experiences, amenities and exhibits for visitors to enjoy this summer vacation season. Whether it's a first-time or returning visitor, there will be new coastal fun to discover in Daytona Beach this summer. Here's a look at some of the new developments within the destination: The Rainforest Set to Open at Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure: The much anticipated rainforest portion of the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure will open this summer at the destination's first aquarium offering. The new Rainforest will feature multiple species of mammals and exotic birds including Toucans, Sloths, Otters, Tamarins, and many more. The 55,000 square-foot facility, which opened last year, features more than 50 separate exhibits including a 110,000-gallon shark exhibit and a guest-favorite 10,000-gallon stingray touch pool. The Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest will post updates on the official opening date of The Rainforest to their website and social media platforms. New Exhibits at Museum of Arts & Sciences: The Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS), the 100,000-square foot art, science and history museum, will have two new exhibits for visitors to enjoy. Shoosty Bugs Exhibit features the work of Stephen Shooster. Also known as Shoosty, Shooster is a fine artist and writer whose works display multiple themes and styles, concentrating on music, landscapes, and conceptual art. At the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, which is located on the MOAS campus, It's a Ship Show has opened and will take guests on a visual voyage through Florida's maritime history. Both exhibits will remain open through Jan. 4, 2026. Veterans Memorial Plaza: Located on the northwest corner of the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge in Downtown Daytona Beach, the Veterans Memorial Plaza recently opened and provides a dedicated location where residents and visitors can memorialize and honor the valiant men and women who lost their lives while defending our freedom. Features include flags representing the six branches of the U.S. Military, a World War 1 memorial, and a six-foot-fire monument with the names of Volusia County residents who died in the line of duty. Marine Science Center: Located in Ponce Inlet, the Marine Science Center is undergoing a $4.2 million renovation that will bring new marine exhibits and expand areas for public education, staff and volunteers. The Marine Science Center is expected to reopen on June 23. Coke Zero Sugar 400: After a one-year absence, the NASCAR regular-season finale returns to the Coke Zero Sugar 400, scheduled for Saturday night, Aug. 23. This year's 160-lap, 400-mile race will be the final opportunity for drivers to secure their spot in the 10-race battle for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. International Speedway Blvd. ramp and World's Most Famous Beach Sign: The International Speedway Blvd. beach approach at A1A, where the iconic "World's Most Famous Beach" sign is located, has reopened after the completion of a ramp improvement project. The upgraded ramp features three lanes to improve traffic flow onto the beach and enhance the overall beach experience. Also reopening is Sam's Coal Fired Pizza, a popular pizza shop located adjacent to the ramp that was closed during the improvement project. Jackie Robinson Ballpark: Fans attending Daytona Tortugas minor league baseball games this summer will notice significant improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, where ground-breaking African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The facility is undergoing a multi-million, multi-year renovation project that will be completed in phases. Among the enhancements completed ahead of this season are the replacement of 1,300 seats, a new sound system, the batter's eye located in center field and the foul poles. Ambros Daytona: Daytona Beach's newest hotel property, Ambros Daytona, opened in the spring in Daytona Beach Shores. The 50-room independent boutique lifestyle hotel offers an elevated relaxed environment with a mix of single king rooms, double queen rooms and suites that cater to families, singles and couples. Half of the rooms feature kitchenettes. Mystic Lobster: Located within the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, a new fast-casual seafood chain, Mystic Lobster, has opened serving a variety of lobster rolls, crab cakes, lobster tacos, sandwiches, soups, salads and more. Plan Your TripWith 23 miles of white-sand beaches, new family-friendly experiences, and world-class dining, Daytona Beach is more than just a beach—it's a destination of discovery. Start planning your unforgettable vacation now. About the Daytona Beach Area | #LoveDaytonaBeachOften called home of the world's most famous beaches, Daytona Beach, Florida, continues to delight and surprise visitors with its diverse and growing array of attractions. The Daytona Beach area is made up of several cities and towns including Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, Holly Hill and South Daytona. The destination has long been known for its iconic beaches and rich auto racing history but today a slate of exciting new attractions, upscale lodging, a vibrant arts scene and an amazing collection of parks, preserves and outdoor activities are all part of Daytona Beach's year-round appeal. To receive a complimentary Daytona Beach Destination Guide, find a place to stay, or book your next adventure, visit #LoveDaytonaBeach. Media Contact:Andrew Booth, Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureauabooth@ | (386) 255-0415, ext. 125 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sam Alfano Commits To Arizona State
Former Erie Otters forward Sam Alfano has committed to Arizona State, it was announced late last week. Alfano, a product of Hamilton, Ont., just finished his overage season in the OHL, scoring 41 goals and adding 43 assists for 84 points in 68 regular season games with the Otters. With Erie having made the playoffs, Alfano collected six goals and 15 points in nine games. Drafted by the Peterborough Petes in the second round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Alfano spent parts of four seasons in the OHL with the Petes and the Otters, putting up 99 goals and 103 assists for 202 points in 258 career regular season games. Prior to making the jump to the junior level, Alfano played his minor hockey for the Southern Tier Admirals. With Alfano off to join the Sun Devils, they will be getting a player who will immediately be one of their better offensive drivers. Having showed his ability to score at will this year, Alfano has the size and strength necessary to make the transition to the NCAA look seamless.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The history of Erie's famous pepperoni balls
The pepperoni ball originated during the depression. Italian immigrants would take the scraps left over from their fish, and wives would roll the scraps in dough, deep fry them and give them to their family. But as the economy improved, people started experimenting with other fillings besides fish scraps. 'Eventually, it was decided to stay with sliced pepperoni. Everybody loves pepperoni, and it has a really good flavor. Its a nice mix of the warm grease and it melts right into the bread and especially with the cheese and pepperoni ball you get the nice chewyness of the cheese the nice pepperoni meat in there, and deep fry it, and its a home town favorite,' said Tom Spagel with Stanganelli's Italian Foods. Over the decades, the hometown favorite has made its mark in Erie. Stanganelli's is one of the local places that make them. 'It's one of those unique fun things about Erie. Pepperoni balls are just fun, whether you are at a grade school ice cream social, they will have them there, whether it's at the Erie SeaWolves and baseball, or the Otters. Anywhere there are kids, there's families, people like pepperoni balls,' said Spagel. He said pepperoni rolls are made all over the country, but Erie's are deep-fried. Stanganelli's Italian Foods is an older building, with a lot of history, a lot of people inside and a lot of machinery to make the famous Erie staple. Tom and his brother Jimmy have owned and operated the building for over three decades. They bought it from the fourth owner of the business. The business was founded in 1961 by Italian chief Cosmo Staginelli. When Tom and his brother took over, they had three employees and were located on 25th and East Avenue. Since then, they have expanded to about 40 employees, and they have been in their current building for 27 years. They sell mostly to grocery stores and distributors. What does it mean to work for a company that means so much to the people of Erie? 'I never really looked like it like that, I always looked at it like just hanging out with my guys and just making good product, you know? And I mean it's one big family thing that we do,' said Raymond Hansbrew, a Staginelli's employee. Another aspect that makes the pepperoni ball special is that they are made by hand. Spagel said last year they made 1.2 million pepperoni balls, each one rolled and deep-fried by hand. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
