Over $16,000 was raised during 7th annual Tip-A- Condor Charity dinner for the Kern County Shrine Club. Tip-A-Condor took place this past Monday when fans poured into the Crystal Palace to see their favorite players as waiters.

The evening started off with a bang as Condor players Ryan Munce and Eric Neilson took to the stage with their rendition of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” The entire team waited on the fans, bringing them dinner and drinks. The evening ended with a live auction, which included Condors original print pictures, signed memorabilia and a travel package to the Condors vs. Grizzlies games in Utah went to one lucky winner who bid $2,400.

The Shrine Club has raised money through charitable events for over 50 years to improve Shriner’s hospitals around the U.S. This year’s Tip-A- Condor was the events most successful as they raised over $16,000. In all, the Condors have donated more than 1.5 million in goods, services and money to non-profit organizations since 1998.

The commemorative Team USA game-worn jerseys were auctioned off for the Petroleum Shrine Club this past Friday. Goaltender Ryan Munce’s jersey alone brought in $3,800, which broke the team’s individual jersey record of $3,700 previously held by Paul Rosebush. This jersey auction was the 3rd highest total in team history behind the Miracle Jerseys in March of 2005 at $25,125 and the Veteran’s Day Jerseys in November of 2002 at $23,300. In the past eight years the Condors have raised more than $300,000 for non-profit organizations.

Bob Bartlett signed a 2-year contract extension with the Bakersfield Condors. The Condors also announced that Bartlett will additionally be given the title of Director of Hockey Operations. Bartlett was named as Director of Player Personnel in August of 2004. As player personnel director Bartlett has been jointly responsible for bringing talented hockey players to Bakersfield along side head coach Marty Raymond.

Brad Mehalko returned to Bakersfield this past weekend after starting the season with the Port Huron Flags of the United Hockey League where he scored 18 goals and 27 assists for a total of 45 points in 49 games.

The 29-year-old was a key component pm the Condors team in 04-05, contributing 19 goals and 24 assists in 53 regular season games and adding two goals and an assist in last year’s Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Condors’ Mailbag has been integrated into the Condors website as a way to answer any questions you might have regarding the team, front office and organization. The coaches, players and front office will make every attempt to answer all relative questions. The Condors’ Mailbag is now displayed on the Condors homepage. Where an archive of recently asked questions can be found at bakersfieldcondors.com.

Fans Asked:
Q: Why don't the weeknight home games start at 6:30 PM instead of 7:10 PM?
A: You bring up a good point. An early start time may bring out more kids on weeknights. In past surveys our fans have indicated they’d prefer our games to start @ 7pm. We do like the consistency of most of our games being at 7pm. If we switched our weeknight games to 6:30pm and not the weekend games it would lead to some confusion. Also, people having to leave work and go home to pick up their children may be rushed to get to the arena in time for the game to start. I’m sure we’d get varying opinions on this.
Q: I miss the penalty list in the recap section. Is this league policy?
A: The ECHL does not carry specific guidelines for individual teams regarding their press releases for game reports, but the league does provide detailed penalty information in its official box scores. Per your suggestion, these official box scores, available through the league website, ECHL.com, are now linked through our nightly game recaps via bakersfieldcondors.com.

Click here to view more questions or to ask your own.

Hey Condor Kids, it’s that time of the year! Join the Bakersfield Condors at Hometown Buffet at 6:30pm on March 27th. Kids club members will eat free when they present the ID card or wear their kids club shirt. Hometown Buffet is located at 4221 S. H St. It’s not to late to join and take advantage of the great benefits of being a kids club member. For more information or to sign up contact the Condors Community Relations Department at 324-PUCK (7825).

The Bakersfield Condors appreciate the support of Houchin Community Blood Bank during the 2005- 2006 season.

Houchin Blood Bank (HCBB) returns for another exciting season as corporate sponsors with the Condors. HCBB began their sponsorship with the Condors in the 1999-2000 season and have continued to be an integral part of the Condors annual blood drive.

Houchin Blood Bank began as a foundation for Elmer C. Houchin’s mother in the late 1940’s. Today, HCBB’s mission is to be “committed to being the sole provider of a safe, adequate blood supply from volunteer blood donors for the purpose of saving the lives of the residents of Kern County.” HCBB provides blood to hospitals throughout the nation, including private treatment facilities and dialysis centers and is also the only blood bank in Kern County.

“The exposure for Houchin is the best thing [about teaming up with the Condors],” said Community Relations Coordinator Pam Hornbuckle. “We sponsor a dasherboard and the blood drive is going well. We have had a wonderful response; people are taking vouchers for tickets and are excited about [attending the Condors games].”

If you are interested in donating blood or would like more information please contact Houchin Community Blood Bank at (661) 323-4222, www.hcbb.com, or visit the blood bank at 5901 Truxtun Avenue open Monday thru Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm, Thursday 9:00am - 8:00pm, and Saturday 9:00am – 3:00pm.

The Condors Team Store has new polo shirts and T-shirts in. The Condors polos now come Black and Sand feature the Condors logo on the upper left side. The T-shirts display the Condors name and logo on the front and are available in white and gray. Check out the re-designed Condors e-store at www.condorsteamstore.com. The Condors Team Store is located at 1022 Truxtun Ave is open Monday thru Friday 11:30am to 5pm. For more information visit the team store at 1022 Truxtun Ave or call 324-NETT (6388).

Bakersfield Ice Sports Center Skating School

Whether you are an experienced skater or have never stepped foot on the ice, the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center has a class tailored to fit your needs. All classes are taught by highly qualified instructors with many years of ice skating experience. For children and adults wishing to play ice hockey, the Ice Sports Center Skating School Program has been specifically designed to get you up and skating in either their Youth In-House hockey program or their Adult Hockey League.

Skating School started last week, but they are still accepting enrollees. The next session will start on April 10th & 12th.

For more information please call (661) 852-7400, visit www.bakersfieldicesports.com, or stop by the rink at 1325 Q St. Suite #100.

It’s that time of the season! Playoffs are right around the corner and now you can secure the best seats in the house. The Condors are rolling out a new mini-plan designed for those that want to get in on the action. The “Best of 7” Plan allows fans to choose 4 games to attend from a pre-determined 6 regular season games and 1 playoff game. Those that take part in this special offer will also save money on the standard playoff walk-up price and secure a great location.

Hurry and contact the Condors ticket department for more information at 324-PUCK (7825) to secure your seats.

Kevin St. Jacques – 2/25