Pascal Dupuis Returns to Curve, Pa. August 30th
CURVE, Pa. - Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Pascal Dupuis will make a return appearance to Peoples Natural Gas Field on Friday, August 30 when the Altoona Curve take on Akron, the Curve have announced.
Dupuis, who recently signed a four-year contract to remain with the Penguins through the 2016-17 season, will shoot the ceremonial "first puck", appear on the Curve Game Day Pre-Game Show, and sign autographs for two hours during the game. His appearance is being made possible by WTAJ - Your News Leader.
The Curve originally planned to host the annual Penguins' player appearance on Monday, August 19, but because of schedule conflicts have moved it to Friday, August 30. Any fans who already purchased tickets for the August 19 game based on the planned Penguins' player appearance may exchange them for tickets of equal or lesser value to the August 30 date, based on availability.
"Duper was the first active Penguins' player we ever had at the ballpark when he appeared at a game in 2010," said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. "At that time, he was relatively new to Pittsburgh and he was still a hit with our fans. Now, coming off of his two best seasons in the NHL, he's even more popular. I'm sure he'll receive a great reception in Curve, PA."
Playing on a line with Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby and fellow winger Chris Kunitz, Dupuis has thrived in recent seasons. Even when Crosby was sidelined with injuries in parts of the last two seasons, Dupuis has been productive on the top line. In 2011-12, Dupuis netted a career- high 25 goals and totaled 59 points in 82 games. This past season, the native of Laval, Quebec, Canada, scored with even more frequency in the lockout-shortened campaign. In 48 games, Dupuis scored 20 goals and dished out 18 assists for a total of 38 points. Dupuis also led the National Hockey League in plus-minus rating with a +31 mark.
The 34-year old followed up an outstanding regular season with a solid playoff performance this spring. Dupuis tallied seven goals and four assists for a total of eleven points in 15 post-season games for Pittsburgh. Identified as a key member of the Penguins' core, Dupuis agreed to a new, four-year contract on July 2 to stay in Pittsburgh.
After Dupuis' first trip in Altoona in 2010, the Curve have hosted Matt Cooke (2011) and James Neal (2012) as part of their Black-and-Gold Series with current stars of the Penguins and Steelers visiting and signing autographs for fans.
For tickets and information for the August 30 appearance of Dupuis or any other Curve game remaining in the 2013 season, please call toll-free at 877-99-CURVE, log on to AltoonaCurve.com, or stop by the ticket office at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve return home tonight to open a series with the Bowie Baysox (Orioles' affiliate).