HARTFORD, February 28, 2011:  Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that forwards Francis Lemieux and Alexandre Imbeault are returning to the Whale on Professional Tryout (PTO) agreements.  The two had been released from their original PTOs yesterday to return for one game to their ECHL club, the Florida Everblades.

CT WhaleLemieux, originally signed February 20 by the Whale, is scoreless with two penalty minutes and nine shots on goal in three games in a Whale uniform.  Imbeault, who inked his original PTO February 21, also has gone without a point in three Whale games and has four shots on goal.

Lemieux currently ranks second in the ECHL in points, just one point off the lead, with 28-45-73 in 56 games with the Everblades.  Imbeault, meanwhile, is tied for the ECHL lead in goals-scored, having posted numbers of 31-16-47 in 44 Everblade games.

The Whale’s next action is this Wednesday, March 2, as they return to the XL Center to host the Springfield Falcons in a 7:00 PM game.  There will be a “Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl Appreciation Night” promotion for that game, as Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl ticket purchasers who present their Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl ticket stub at the XL Center ticket office can purchase one $19 or $12 ticket for the March 2 game, and receive a second of equal or lesser value free.  On top of that, the Whale will add a coupon for 15% off all Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl merchandise.  The coupon is redeemable at the Whale Pro Shop, which is located in the Hartford Store at 45 Pratt St. in downtown Hartford and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4:30 PM.  The coupon is good only for Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl merchandise.

Tickets for all 2010-11 Whale home games are available now at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.  Tickets start at $7 each at the XL Center ticket office on game day.

For information on Whale ticket packages, group sales and VIP packages, call (860) 728-3366.