Chris Marchese (Contributed/Aaron Bell, OHL Images)

All veteran players, 2010 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection picks and prospects are scheduled to arrive in Erie Friday night for the Erie Otters‘ 15th Annual Summer Awards Banquet and Fitness Testing Weekend.

Registration for the weekend begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Tullio Arena. Saturday morning all players will take part in Fitness Testing at Gannon University‘s Carneval Athletic Pavillion, beginning at 7 a.m., followed by dry land training on the Gannon University Field, starting at 1 p.m. The dry land training session is open to the general public.

On Saturday night, Otters first-round draft pick Chris Marchese will throw out the first pitch before the Erie SeaWolves play the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Jerry Uht Park, which start at 7:05 p.m.. Marchese will then sign autographs for fans in the concourse.

The annual Summer Awards Banquet, which is sold out, takes place Sunday in the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel starting at 12 p.m.

- From Erie Otters news release

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League have announced that 2010 first round draft pick Chris Marchese will throw out the first pitch before the Erie SeaWolves‘ baseball game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Jerry Uht Park Saturday night.

Marchese, a native of Woodbridge, Ontario, collected 39 goals and 56 assists in 72 games playing left wing for the Toronto Marlboros last season. He was teammates with Adam Pelech and Connor Brown, both selected by the Otters in May. Marchese will be available for autographs in the concourse during the start of the game.

Marchese and the rest of the Otters will be in town for the 15th Annual Summer Awards Banquet, which takes place Sunday in the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel starting at 12:00 p.m. The banquet is sold out.

Season tickets for the 2010-11 season are available at one of the most affordable prices in the OHL. Reserve your seat for all 34 Otters home games and receive a number of outstanding season ticket holder benefits including personalized season ticket books, free tickets to Otters preseason games played at the Tullio Arena, unused ticket redemption opportunities, merchandise discounts and more. Also ask about our new VIP Hat Trick Club!

The eighth annual Erie Otters Champions for Education Golf Tournament will be held August 30th at Lake Shore Country Club. The noon shotgun tournament offers golfers an opportunity to play a round with a member of the Otters (current or alumni) on one of Erie’s most challenging and picturesque 18-hole courses.

The benefactor of the Tournament is the Erie Otters Education Fund, which supports The Brad Boyes Scholarship, awarded annually to a local male high school athlete who excels on and off the playing field. The Fund also assists in the educational needs of former members of the Otters following their OHL careers. The tournament also supports numerous charities.

Registration for the tourney is $150 per player and includes golf with cart, lunch, snacks and beverages on the course, dinner following golf, prizes and much, much more. Space is limited so register today by calling the Otters’ office at 455-7779.

For further information contact the Otters at 814-455-7779 or e-mail the Otters at paul@ottershockey.com.

- From Erie Otters news release