On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced the signing and call up of former Condor Connor James. Connor warmed up with the Kings during the pre-game skate before Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes, but he didn’t play in the game. We can’t wait to see him on TV!

The Condors are currently in 2nd place in league attendance averaging 5,985 fans per game after 12 home games. This is an increase of 577 fans per game from last season. In addition, the Condors are 1st in the league in group ticket sales. Thank you Condorstown!

Condors Captain Sean Venedam is only two goals away from his 200th professional goal. So far this season, Sean has recorded 10 goals and nine assists. Eight of his 10 goals are on the power play, and he has the Condors only hat trick of the season. Sean holds the ECHL season high of three power-play goals in one game. To give you an idea of how Sean ranks with some of the other big gunners the Condors have had over the years: Condors Steve Dowhy finished his career with 282 goals in nine seasons, Jamie Cooke had 248 goals in 13 seasons, Paul Willett recorded 378 goals in 15 seasons and Jason Firth had 404 goals in 14 seasons.

On Saturday, January 7th, the Condors will host the Alaska Aces at the Rabobank Arena. The two teams squared off in a three-game set earlier this season in Anchorage and both are eager to meet again in Bakersfield. The first 2,000 children 12 and under will receive a Condors backpack courtesy of KGET-TV 17 and Goodwill Industries.

With Monday Night Football over, are you ready for some Monday Night Hockey! The Condors will host the Idaho Steelheads on Monday, January 9th at 7pm.

The Condors will take on the Florida Everblades on Sunday, January 15th at 5pm at Rabobank Arena. Everyone in attendance will receive a Condors cheer sign, provided by the Bakersfield Californian, Bright House Networks, HOT 94.1 and Lennar Homes. After the game, all fans are invited onto the ice to skate with the Condors. Participants are encouraged to bring their own skates or skate rental will be available for $5 per pair, limited availability.

In the span of 27 hours, 12 hockey games were played, pledges, raffles and donations to benefit Link to Life Breast Cancer Research. The donations are still being tallied up, but it should be in excess of $15,000. This is the 2nd time that this event has been held in Condorstown. The Hockey-thon was first made a reality last year when by former Condor Kevin Barrett who lost his mother to breast cancer.

The Condors closed out 2005 with a bang, notching back-to-back wins at home. On Friday, December 30th, Joel Irving scored the game-winning goal in OT to help the Condors soar over the Fresno Falcons 6-5. Pumped up, the Condors won in regulation at home, for just the 2nd time of the season. The Condors defeated Stockton 3-1. The Condors are 3-2 for games decided in OT and 4-2 for games that have gone to shootout.

“I was so excited when I won,” said Carol, 37. “I have some scars on my face that I want removed, but that will have to wait until my baby is born in July. I had forgotten about the contest, until I walked in the arena. We had taken friends of ours who hadn’t been to a Condors game before,” she said. “So, I definitely wasn’t expecting to win the grand prize.”

Carol wasn’t the only one to have a good time on that night. Hundreds of season ticket holders took to the ice after the game to get autographs, take pictures, talk and skate with their favorite Condors during the Exclusive Season Ticket Holder Skate with the Condors.

On December 1st members of the Condors front office staff and players Kevin Kotyluk, Justin Quenneville and Scott Balan attended a taping of the well-known game show “The Price is Right.” The Condors were the talk of the studio with the enthusiastic spirit and constant energy they brought to the show.

Account Manager Greg Lowe was the lucky member of the Condors group to hear his name called down to contestant’s row. Greg narrowly missed an opportunity at his chance of winning a brand new car. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I got robbed; the girl next to me kept bidding one dollar more than me every time we bid on a new item. I would have loved to win the showcase but instead I left [the show] with a new set of luggage and a new lamp.”

Although Greg didn’t make it onto the stage that day, fellow Condors staff member Michael Reeves rushed to the stage to congratulate the showcase showdown winner. “I had already given Bob (Barker) the jersey I was wearing, so I was in normal clothes like the group on the stage. Since my name wasn’t called during the show, I ran on stage to celebrate with the winner. I did what I had to do to get my twenty seconds of fame”.

The show is run on tape delay, so you can check out your “Barker”sfield Condors on CBS, on January 16, 2006 at 10:00 am.

The Bakersfield Condors Big Buddies Program involves donating tickets for non-profit youth organizations around Kern County to the Teddy Bear Toss game on November 26, 2005. Some of the non- profit organizations that benefited from donations are: Bakersfield Boys and Girls Club, Friendship House, Foster Parent Association, Youth Connection, Police Activities League, Teen Challenge, Clinica Sierra Vista Prevention Services and YMCA.

The Bakersfield Condors would like to thank the following Gold Level Big Buddies Sponsors: GMC Roofing and McMillin Homes. Silver Level Big Buddies Sponsors: Buys Pipe & Supply, Petrini Construction and Robert Russo. Bronze Level Big Buddies Sponsors: American Fabrication, Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital, Coldwell Banker America West, Ira Cohen Inc., Mugs Drinks and a Fight Bar, Norman Wireline and SBC.

The Condors would also like to thank the following individuals/companies for their donation to the Big Buddies program: Dorothy Williams, Hans Davidsson, Henry’s Café, Sandy Garone, AB Automation, Alan McCulley, Alan Tandy, Bill Chan Insurance, Blackwell Farming, Bob’s Muffler, California Industrial Rubber, Charles Baily Custom Builder, Earth Solutions, HM Holloway, John C. Wilson DDS, John M. Phillips Oil Field Equipment, Ken Musick, Kern Ridge Growers, Law Offices of Brent & Klein, Melody Broukaret, ORECK Vacuums, SDS Associates, Sunsational Pools, Traci Nail By Design, Wellhead Inc., Yurosek Farms, Rosedale Floor, Valenzuela Painting Inc., Wilson Paves & Associates and Townsend Design.

One of the many benefits of being a season ticket holder is that you have the ability to put a group of 20 friends, family members or co-workers together and you will receive these tickets for half price on these selected dates:

Sunday, January 15th vs. Florida Everblades @ 5pm
Monday, March 20th vs. Stockton Thunder @ 7pm

Special Season Ticket Holder Group Price:
Tickets are only: $9.00 Rinkside, $7.00 Executive &/or $4.50 Terrace

Call your Condors Account Manager at 324-PUCK (7825) for more information or to set up your group night

The Condors would like to thank Meineke for their ongoing corporate support. Meineke has been involved with the Condors since 1998 at the corporate level, but they held season tickets since the Oiler days.

“This year Meineke is the sole sponsor of the official game puck known to fans as the prize puck in the stands,” said Sandy Chaddick, Meineke owner. “We like to change it every year. In the past we’ve sponsored chuck-a-puck and the penalty kill for several years.”

Meineke provides its customers with quality parts and friendly service. Visit your local Meineke shop at 6541 White Lane Suite M or online at www.meineke.com. Remember to go where the Condors go, go to Meineke.

Last Friday was the 2nd Annual Faith and Family Night in Condorstown. National Christian recording artist Paul Wright performed during the 2nd intermission and held an hour-long concert after the game, sponsored by Telemundo 11, KDUV 100.1 and Island Styles. Paul Wright is known for his hit song “Take This Life,” which landed him on the Air-1 Top 10 charts.

Staff & Player Birthdays
Joel Irving – 1/2
Devin Rossiter – 1/7
Lisa Weaver – 1/8
Andrew Ianiero – 1/10
Mark Pederson – 1/14