BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (December 24, 2012) – The Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced today that they will present their alternate jerseys, bearing the names of those lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, to the respective families and/or loved ones. After initially planning to wear the jerseys for upcoming home games, the Sound Tigers will instead save the jerseys for a special postgame presentation on Sunday, Jan. 20 after they take on the Springfield Falcons at 3 p.m.  Additionally, the alternate black jerseys will no longer be worn by the Sound Tigers in honor of the lives lost. 

“Our entire community has suffered through the tragedy that occurred in Newtown,” Sound Tigers President, Howard Saffan said.  “The emotional toll of honoring those names on the players’ backs was more than what we had initially thought for everyone involved.  It was an incredible gesture by the players to honor those lives lost. Knowing the emotional toll that comes with this gesture, we feel the best way to honor the children and teachers moving forward is by saving the alternate jerseys, which will be presented to the families and friends on January 20 when we salute the entire Newtown community.”  

The Sound Tigers will host an online auction beginning Monday, Jan. 7 and ending at midnight, Sunday, Jan. 20. Items will include a team-signed Team Alfredsson jersey from the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, a John Tavares autographed jersey, a Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys signed by Mario Lemieux and an Alex Ovechkin signed jersey. The Sound Tigers will have 26 team-signed jerseys for live auction throughout the game on Sunday, Jan. 20.  Proceeds from both auctions will go towards Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Newtown residents can continue to receive free tickets at the Webster Bank Arena Click It Or Ticket Box Office during regular business hours for their games on Wednesday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Dec. 29. Valid photo ID to prove residency is required. The box office opens at 10 a.m and remains open one hour into the game on all game days. The box office is closed Sunday, Dec. 23 through Christmas Day.

The Sound Tigers will close out their three-game home-stand with a post-Christmas showdown against the in-state rivals, the Connecticut Whale, on Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. For more information, call the Sound Tigers at (203) 334-GOAL or e-mail info@soundtigers.com