Mighty Ducks Announce 57-Game Television Schedule

The Mighty Ducks have announced a 57-game television schedule for the 1996-97 NHL season, two more than last season.

Prime Sports West will broadcast two games from the Ducks’ season-opening trip, Oct. 9 at Chicago and Oct. 10 at Colorado. It will also broadcast the Ducks’ home opener, Oct. 16, against Philadelphia. Prime Sports will broadcast 37 games, including 19 from the Pond.

KCAL-TV Channel 9, whose first broadcast will be Nov. 1, when the Ducks host San Jose, will televise 20 games, including 11 from the Pond.

The Ducks are scheduled to appear four times on ESPN and on Fox (KTTV-TV Channel 11) including the Jan. 25 game at the Kings.

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Disney Sports Enterprises, Inc., and The Perrier Group of America announced a multiyear extension of the agreement for the title sponsorship of the Pond of Anaheim. Arrowhead, a division of The Perrier Group, has been the title sponsor of the arena since it opened in 1993.

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Don Burnette has been hired as boys’ cross-country coach and Chris Esperanza and Randy Gonzalez have been hired as co-coaches for wrestling at Orange High, Athletic Director Dave Zirkle said.

Burnette, formerly an assistant coach, takes over for Ed Cantu, who is taking a leave of absence.

Gonzalez, formerly the head wrestling coach at Rancho Alamitos, and Esperanza, takes over for Larry Hadley, who left to teach and coach at Loara. Gonzalez and Esperanza also will be assistant varsity football coaches.

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Nathan Strange, a three-sport star at Fountain Valley High before graduating this spring, will play basketball and golf at Chapman, said his father Mike.

Strange, 6 feet 4, was selected the Barons’ most valuable player in basketball and golf his senior year. He averaged 18 points and was a first-team All-Sunset League selection in basketball.