AHL's Worcester Sharks Announce New Sports Medicine Partnership with Saint Vincent Hospital; Sharks Unveil Partnership, New Team Logos, and ''30 Days of Hockey'' Pre-Season Celebration at Local Press Conference.

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The AHL Worcester Sharks are pleased to announce the establishment of a long-term partnership with Saint Vincent Hospital as the official sports medicine provider of the team. Team President Michael T. Lehr made the announcement today in conjunction with John E. Smithhisler, President and CEO of Saint Vincent Hospital, and Dr. Marc Greenwald, Chief Medical Officer of Fallon Clinic.

"We chose Saint Vincent Hospital to be our medical partner in care for the Sharks for many reasons," said Michael T. Lehr, President of the Worcester Sharks. "First and foremost, the hospital has an excellent reputation for delivering quality care. Also, their medical facilities and technology are first rate, and their proximity to the DCU Center is very accessible to our players and staff."

As part of the 5-year agreement, Saint Vincent Hospital will provide the Sharks players with a complete array of medical services for the team, from pre-season physicals to on site injury care during games as well as any needed surgical care and follow up. They will be utilizing medical facilities at the Hospital and Worcester Medical Center, which is directly across the street from the DCU Center, home of the Worcester Sharks.

"We are thrilled to be able to create this partnership with the Sharks as they bring hockey back to our region," said John E. Smithhisler, President and CEO of Saint Vincent Hospital. "We look forward to our role in keeping the team healthy and in top physical form to play at their best."

Former Boston Red Sox team physician Dr. Bill Morgan will lead a team of physicians to care for the Worcester Sharks through an agreement reached between Saint Vincent Hospital and Fallon Clinic (see related press release). Dr. Morgan is joining Fallon Clinic to start a new orthopedic practice as of October 1st. He and his team of physicians will be caring for the Sharks on site at the DCU Center as well as at Saint Vincent Hospital and at Fallon Clinic's Worcester Medical Center offices.

The Sharks organization is also proud to unveil the look of their official team jerseys for home and away games, as well as the alternate jersey. In addition, the Sharks are kicking off the inaugural 2006-07 season with a pre-season celebration entitled "The 30 Days of Hockey." The 30 Days of Hockey campaign will be filled with events, promotions, appearances, community involvement and the launch of the new Sharks initiatives. The 30 Days of Hockey is designed to build and drive momentum to Opening Night, scheduled for October 14th vs. the Portland Pirates.

About Saint Vincent Hospital

Saint Vincent Hospital is a 348-bed acute care hospital providing general and tertiary medical services to residents of Worcester and Central Massachusetts. From newborns to seniors, Saint Vincent Hospital has a wide-range of inpatient and outpatient services, including open-heart surgery, cardiovascular medicine, radiation, oncology, and pediatric services. Saint Vincent Hospital was founded by the Sisters of Providence and has a 114-year tradition of providing quality healthcare. It was the first hospital in Central Massachusetts to offer robotically assisted surgical procedures and minimally invasive, computer-assisted joint replacements. Saint Vincent Hospital is located at 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA. To learn more, visit www.stvincenthospital.com or call [phone].

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