16 special jerseys, replica rings and more: Inside the Peoria Rivermen fan promotions
PEORIA — The Peoria Rivermen are not yet ready to play the first game of their Southern Professional Hockey League title defense.
But their promotions and entertainment game is in top form and ready to go for the 2022-23 season.
The team will gift fans with full-sized replica President's Cup championship rings, championship banners, a 3-by-5 foot Rivermen flag, 16 specialty jerseys, food and drink specials, Sunday family packages and lots of giveaway items packed into a home schedule that includes 27 games at Carver Arena (and one in Bloomington).
More:'Pretty special': Peoria Rivermen celebrate their championship legacy — and their fans
"I think it's a great promotional calendar filled with special theme nights, lots of giveaways commemorating our championship year," Rivermen co-owner Bart Rogers said. "We've got 8-by-10 canvas photo prints from championship night, and actual size replica championship rings, championship banners, just so many things that our fans are going to love.
"We want them to celebrate with us and share the excitement of a championship and what's to come during this new season. We have over 114 new season ticket holders and season tickets are at a record level for our SPHL era. Our corporate sponsors continue to be tremendous. The community is behind us in a big way."
Fans will get some bling
On Bruce Saurs Rivermen Opening Night, Oct. 22, the first 1,000 spectators will get a Rivermen championship banner. Upper bowl tickets will be two for $22. The team will skate in special championship jerseys and the Rivermen will have a championship banner-raising ceremony in Carver Arena, all courtesy Envision Insurance.
The first 1,000 spectators will get magnetic schedules at the Oct. 28 and 29 games.
Unity Point Health is sponsoring the Rivermen flag giveaway to 1,000 fans at the Dec. 9 game.
The first 1,000 fans in attendance will get a Rivermen cap on Jan. 6. And on Jan. 13, the first 2,000 in attendance get a Rivermen calendar.
The first 750 kids aged 12-under will get a Rivermen puck on Jan. 14, courtesy Preckshot Pharmacy.
The Feb. 17 game includes the distribution of 1,000 Rivermen championship night canvas photos.
And a night later, 750 kids 12-under will get a Klein Design Rivermen stocking cap.
The March 11 game is set for replica championship rings to the first 1,000 in attendance.
The biggest wardrobe in pro hockey
The Rivermen will wear 16 specialty jerseys, with an array of themes, in the 2022-23 SPHL season.
They will wear President's Cup champions jerseys in their home opener Oct. 22.
The Peanuts characters will be a special jersey worn on Nov. 23 and 25.
More:Here's a look at the 14 specialty jerseys Peoria Rivermen wore in 2021-22
There is a military/camo jersey on Oct. 29, a Stick it to Cancer jersey on Dec. 2, A Mighty Rivermen Night jersey — themed after the Mighty Ducks — on Dec. 10.
The team has worked deals with Nickelodeon and DC Comics for these special jerseys themes. So Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle jerseys will see the ice on Dec. 16.
They will skate with Paw Patrol jerseys on Jan. 14.
Chicago Blackhawks-themed jerseys will be worn on Jan. 6.
The Rivermen will celebrate America with special flag jerseys on Feb. 17.
DC Comics Night on Feb. 18 has the team playing in a different jersey each period — Superman themed in the first period, then Batman in the second period and Wonder Woman in the third.
The defending champs will wear Top Gun style jerseys in a salute to aviators on Feb. 24.
The March 10 game will see a re-brand team name and logo on a jersey — with the Rivermen playing under a new name and look for one night. Those details will be announced later.
St. Patrick's Day-themed jerseys follow on March 11, and tie-dye jerseys on March 24.
The Rivermen will play in Autism specialty jerseys on April 7, and close out with neon specialty jerseys on April 8.
All of those jerseys will go to the fans in live auctions after the games.
Is food and drink your thing?
The Rivermen will offer 12-ounce domestic draft beers for $2 on opening night (Oct. 22) and again on Nov. 23, Dec. 30 and March 11.
They'll have $3 margaritas on Dec. 9 and Jan. 13, and $2 hot dogs on Nov. 25, Jan. 14, Feb. 18 and April 8.
Sundays are for families
The Rivermen will again present their Sunday Family Fun Day promotion at their home games on Jan. 15, Jan. 22, Feb. 19, March 12 and March 26.
For those games, kids 12 years old or younger get an upper bowl ticket for $7. There is a festival before each of those games, with inflatables for play, face painting and balloon art.
The players will stay on the ice after the game and skate with the fans, pause for photographs and autographs, and meet the kids.
River Readings
The Rivermen will have a ticket special — two upper bowl tickets for $22 total on opening night on Oct. 22. ... They'll do their annual CityLink Stuff-A-Bus project, collecting non-perishable food items from the fans at games Nov. 23 and Nov. 25, during which those who donate will have a chance to win autographed jerseys. ... There will be a Black Friday ticket special on Nov. 25, and the annual Teddy Bear Toss game is Dec. 10. ... CALL JULIE Night is April 7, at which select upper bowl seats can be had for $8.11. ... Questions? Contact the Rivermen team offices at 309 676-1040.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Everything to know about the Peoria Rivermen's promotions for 2022-23
