Pressiteated

The Calgary Beavers will be saying farewell to one of their top players this week. Ralf Pollmann who becomes an unrestricted free agent on Thursday will be leaving the organization. Ralf has had impressive numbers for his career and the Beavers organization. Before his retirement game on Wednesday, he will have played in a career total of 328 games putting up 407 points. He has played the last 3 and half seasons with the Beavers playing in 168 competitive games and earning 264 points. His best season came in his first season with the Beavers, season 8, where he put up 52 goals, 117 points in 36 regular season games. Reports have been indicated that after the game tomorrow, Ralf will receive the first retirement ceremony in the Beavers organization.

Manger jbrady83 had this to say in an interview, “Ralf has been an important and key player for my organization. My fondest memory of Ralf will in the season 8 playoffs when he put the team on his back and won the final game getting 3 pts in the 3rd period for an epic comeback that gave us the promotion to Division II. The time though has come for us to say good bye to Ralf and see what the next generation of Beaver hockey players can do. We wish Ralf the best of luck with whatever he decides to do after the game tomorrow. We are hoping if he goes back to Germany to be with family that he will use his keen hockey eye and maybe do a little scouting for the Beavers over in Deutschland. We wish the best the Ralf and appreciate everything he has brought to our team.”

After practice today, all the media were around Ralf getting any last minute interviews in with the famous player. He had lots to say to the scrum of reporters.
“I have enjoyed my time here in Canada, I admit when I was first acquired by the Beavers organization, I didn’t know what to think. My time here has been amazing, I have made some new life long friends in Stephan Engles and Bo Ellingson and have fallen in love with this great country. I am honored to have played for this organization and getting to see my jersey brought to the rafters will be a great end to my career.” When asked about comment made by his manger about the epic 3rd period in the finals of season 8 and possible scouting in Europe, Ralf had this to say. “I remember that game fondly, but it was more of a team effort, we just dug deep, and played the best we could in the 3rd. I am not sure about the scouting, after a lot celebrating during the 100th Calgary Stampede, I might take a look into being a professional bull rider! Lol. But in all seriousness, I am going to sit back for the rest of the season and re evaluate for the next, I would be honored to help this organization in any way possible.”

In other Beaver news, rookie sensation Alain Marshall is continuing to light it up in his first year on the pro team getting 47 points in 22 games so far this season. Other rookies are Terrence Thomson with 21 points in 22 games and Anatoliy Saenko with 12 points in 22 games while playing 4th line minutes. Max Visintin has become the player that everyone hoped he would be with 57 points in 28 games to lead the team so far this season. The Beavers have gone from a one line team to a more rounded team and are currently sitting in 5th in the league standings. Almost half the league has lost managers, but the ones that are left are a very great group of teams. The Beavers will be looking to improve on last seasons impressive 3rd place playoff finish when the playoff begin in a few more weeks. Come on down to the Beaver Tail Arena and cheer them on as they try to finish off the season on a high.

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