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MINOR OBSERVATIONS, NOV. 27
By Killer Bees Media Relations | November 27, 2008
Happy Turkey Day to all.
I write this from the Century Tel Center in Bossier City, where the Bees arrived around 11 a.m. to load gear. After that it was off to breakfast, which in my case was a trip to Waffle House. Too bad we don’t have one in the Valley.
POST-PRACTICE POW-WOW
After hanging equipment, the team had a pow-wow for some 15-20 minutes in the locker room. I waited outside near the bus with equipment manager Doug Tretiak, so I don’t know exactly what was said, but I think I have a pretty good idea after sitting down with Robin Bouchard and the coaches last night after the game. To be short; simplify, work hard, be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
TURKEY DAY ON THE ROAD, PART 3
The team hotel this year is much better than years past. Where we once stayed at the luxurious Shoney’s Inn or Rodeway Inn, we’re now put up at the Boomtown Casino. Not bad. This is the third year in a row the team has been on the road on Thanksgiving. Last year’s trip to Fort Worth was OK (nice hotel), but the year before here in Bossier was bad. The Rodeway Inn was awful; no remotes, blankets falling apart, u-shaped mattresses. So, at the least, one of the things I give thanks for this year (among many, many more important things) is the fact we’re staying at a decent hotel this year.
While most of the guys are planning to hit the tables tonight, I think I’ll head over to the Louisana Boardwalk for the late showing of Role Models. Two years ago here in Bossier, I managed to get myself to the Boardwalk to catch Borat, which had just come out. I doubt this movie is of that caliber, but we’ll see.
It’s now 4:24 p.m. and the team is sitting around on the bench waiting for the ice to dry after the Zamboni finished up. You could sail a tiny ship through the water that’s standing on the edges of the surface and none of the rink attendants seem to care enough to bring out a squeegee. Nothing like wasting time.
I’D LIKE HONEY WITH THAT
Fair warning to anyone tuning in the game this Friday or Saturday; I’m battling a cold (it’s going around the locker room, I’m told) and my voice is shot, so bear with me. If worse comes to worst, I may see about finagling a dual broadcast with Bossier’s Travis Huntington and Wichita’s Steve Schuster. I think I’ll be fine on my own…we’ll see tomorrow.
I’ve tried everything from tea with honey, warm water and gargling brandy (it numbs the throat and clears things up). I suppose I need to be careful with that last one or else the broadcast may end up reminding you of Harry Caray. Any other ideas?
Back in 2000-01 in Knoxville, Arley Johnson (New Haven’s PBP guy) and I did a dual broadcast and it worked out well. But that was out of fun, not necessity. I may see about putting one together down the line. Which other CHL announcer would you most like to hear a dual broadcast with?
Perusing the out of town news, a few interesting things popped up.
- I can’t believe the OKC Blazers are considering a move to the AHL. I’m also shocked that Brad Lund left the team earlier this week. Today, anyway, the Blazers say talks with Edmonton don’t really mean that much. It’s tough to make money in the AHL. Sure, Chicago and Wilkes-Barre do well. I’m sure Manitoba does OK. But for every team that draws well and makes money, there are three or four more who don’t (Lowell, Albany, Bridgeport, Hartford, Quad City, Iowa to name a few). Another name that always pops up in the “they should be in the AHL” talks is Fort Wayne (
UHLIHL). Why are they not? Simple. They can make money hand over fist in the league they’re in now. Why can’t they in the AHL? Higher travel costs (more games, higher per diem) and the kicker; the affiliation fee, which runs close to a million bucks. - News that the Augusta Lynx (ECHL) are in dire straits. Someone told me their players were set to become free agents yesterday, but as of today the team still exists. Meanwhile the ECHL put out a statement to try and deflect any rumors.
- Former Austin forward Henry Kuster on last season;”It was a struggle to come to the rink, a real mental battle.” I can’t see how going to Chaparral Ice every day was so bad. Wait. I can. I only had to go there a handful of times and it was a mental struggle. Godspeed, Henry.
- Leo Thomas gets waived in Bloomington (
UHLIHL). I wonder if he’ll pop back up in the CHL? - Also, a story about Bloomington’s leading minor pro goal scorer Don Parsons. Interesting that this runs the day after Robin Bouchard scores his 600th pro goal.
- Fort Wayne’s P.C. Drouin (a former Providence Bruin, no less), sells insurance.
- From the SPHL, twin brothers playing on the same team. The only other twins I can think of are the Ferraro brothers (Chris and Peter) who currently play for Las Vegas (ECHL) and also have been teammates in numerous cities (including a stint with the New York Rangers).
Topics: Minor Observations |
November 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
<p>What about Daniel and Henrik Sedin?</p>
Duh. Of course. I even have Henrik on my fantasy team. RB