By John Doolan

A Brief History

At the annual meeting in 2012 held in Fort Lauderdale, Jim Darby, then in charge of Easton Hockey, approached Mark Brennan and me as we roamed the exhibits.  During our conversation he inquired as to why none of the older guys were at the meeting.  We asked what it had cost him to attend, and he said he wasn’t really sure.  I commented that the older guys who had left the game or retired may still be working a full-time job and that getting time to attend could be a problem along with the cost of travel, hotel and meals.  Jim then said that he wanted to see the older fellows that he had met since he introduced Easton to the hockey world.  He then stated that he would fund an amount going forward to make it happen.

Hence, the ‘Alum’ was born.  Our first roadblock was to gather a database of those who had come before.  We assumed that contacting the NHL Pension Society would solve the problem.  However, upon contact, they said that they were not by law allowed to disclose the information we needed to begin a directory.  To Mark’s credit, he came up with an ingenious solution.  He provided the Pension Society with postcards which they then were gracious enough to mail to those trainers and equipment managers who were receiving a pension.  Slowly, responses began to reach us, and the directory began to take shape.  We now have well over 150 alums on file.  If you know of any former members who would like to join our band of brothers, please tell them to contact Anita and she will send information.

As mentioned, Jim got the ball rolling. When Bauer purchased Easton Hockey, long-time supporter Jim Geary took over the funding.  At the 2013 gathering, we invited our first group of alum, three former equipment managers who joined us in Las Vegas, John Holmes, LA Kings, Gerry Dean, Oakland Seals and Jocko Cayer, Tampa. 

Over the past twelve years, excluding the two years that were canceled due to Covid, we have had over fifty former members come and experience the growth of PHATS/SPHEM.  Several of our first guests enjoyed the experience so much that they footed the bill to return.  It should be noted that any alum may attend the meeting at their own expense with the registration fees waived if they are not attending to garner CEU’s.

Also, several alums have been put to work during their time at the sessions by being accredited presenters to both Societies.

I’m often asked about inviting specific individuals. If the budget allows, we do our best to accommodate.

Working with a minimal budget has required our selections to be geographical.  We have set costs in the hotel, but travel is a major concern.  Therefore, we need to look at the location of the event, and whether a nearby alum could drive to avoid airfare costs.  Another consideration for our guests is decided by the HOF inductee.  In the last few years, we have designated funds so that former colleagues can attend to be part of the inductee’s night.  This restraint has been somewhat softened as this past year the Societies made a generous increase in our funds which I credit to our acceptance by the two groups.  Along with the increased funding exhibitor Marc Juneau, the owner of Classic Auctions, has begun to fully sponsor an alum.

How have the alumni gained acceptance, you may ask?  For the first few years a group of gray-haired fellows would be seen roaming around, which led some to ask the question, “who brought their father with them?”

As mentioned, we have been asked to provide presenters and several years ago we began our “Hot Stove” session where we provide an hour of tales and insight to how things were in the old days. 

In 2014 we introduced the Career Achievement Alumni Awardwhichis given each year to someone who exemplifies professionalism and longevity in the field of Hockey. They adhere to our code of ethics, and it can be either an Athletic Therapist/Trainer or Equipment Manager. They also need to be members in good standing with PHATS/SPHEM and have not worked at any NHL levels as a full-time employee. 

About15 years ago, Paul Boyer approached me about the history of NHL staffs.  I assumed that, since I was the oldest active member at the time and my memory was still intact, I might be the right person to take on the task.  Initially the data was on Excel worksheets and went back to the 1967 NHL expansion from six teams to twelve.  I got to the point that I felt it was ready to be presented and reached out to Grover Web Design owned by a former player and friend.  He was gracious enough to have his staff build the site, PHATS/SPHEM Alumni Family Tree, and to host it. 

As you can see if you have visited the Alumni Family Tree, (which is linked on the PHATS/SPHEM website’s Alumni tab, at phatssphem.com/alumni/) we now have a comprehensive history going back to 1917.  Since the site’s launch, we have added the abilities to insert photos and bios of individuals.

This year also marked our first Alumni booth at the Annual Hockey Summit.  Though traffic was not what we expected, you need to start somewhere.  Going forward we will strive to make it a more interactive experience by possibly having our alum bring items that they have saved from over the years and if possible a monitor to display the Family Tree for your viewing.

Like all the separate leagues, we too now have our own “Breakout Session”.  This was introduced two years ago and provides us with an opportunity to gather and discuss the path of our group going forward.  It has been invaluable to Mark and me to get this feedback to the point that we added both Gaetan Lefebvre, owner of Athlete RMS and former Montreal Canadians trainer, as well as Mark O’Neill of Jan-Al Case and former equipment manager for the Kings and Ducks in an advisory capacity.  We selected these two individuals as they work with members of your groups on a regular basis and we felt they could provide invaluable feedback.

Going forward, our vision is to have more involvement and interaction.  We as a group have a wealth of knowledge both from our days in our respective hockey fields, but also what we have accomplished after leaving the game including how we managed the abrupt end, transitioning or how we planned our escape.

We would also like to thank our sponsors, Warrior, Bauer, CCM, Fanatics, ReQuip’d along with Classic Auctions. 

By Mark “Peaches” Brennan

So, this past year I had the pleasure of going to the annual PHATS/SPHEM convention in Orlando. It was a quick 48-hour turnaround. My goodness, how things have changed from 1986 to now.

As we enter our 55th year as professional societies, maybe it would be a good time to reflect on how we have changed—just in the time that I’ve been involved in hockey in some capacity over some 45 years, give or take.

What is still true and without excuse: we all do what we do because of our love for the game and the professionalism we all bring to our jobs. It’s always been said that you must buy into it. “It’s a lifestyle, not a job.”

With that being said…

THE GOLDEN YEARS?

• SPHEM did not exist until 1996.
• White jerseys at home (only one set of home and road for the entire season).
• We were in the “Chuck Norris Division” (Detroit, Toronto, Chicago, St. Louis, and Minnesota).
• We had one trainer, one equipment manager, and a third guy on the training staff.
• There was an “off” in offseason.
• Players came to camp to start getting in shape by Christmas.
• All-Star break was three days, and Christmas break was two.
• We had our own hotel rooms on the road.
• There was one head coach and one assistant coach.
• Video was what we saw when we looked up at the big screen—if an arena had one.
• I worked in four of the Original Six buildings (Maple Leaf Gardens, Montreal Forum, Chicago Stadium, and Boston Garden). Honorable mention: Checkerdome, St. Louis, and the Colisée, Quebec (especially for the hot dogs).
• There was no board or ice advertising.
• No flip-flops or blenders.
• Morning skates were done wearing game jerseys on the road.
• Everything fit into one standard stretch van (Big Brad or Big Tony).
• All sticks were wood, and players curved their sticks with propane torches.
• Tape had a name—there was either Gordie Howe or Mark Howe.
• Sticks were $228.00 per dozen (Sherwood 5030 Featherlight).
• If a player wanted to change blades, they changed the whole skate.
• Stoned out nicks on the bench.
• Usually went through maybe two pairs of gloves in a season.
• Maybe two pairs of skates.
• Skates were ~$275.00 per pair, with an additional $50.00 for a custom fit.
• Blades were all carbon steel with replaceable white tips (had to be repaired during a game if a player wanted to continue playing—this was in the NHL Rule Book).
• No cell phones or travel secretary (we handled the paper tickets and flew commercial).
• We handled all the ticket requests on the road for the team.
• Some players didn’t wear helmets.
• Referees had names on their jerseys. We could yell at them, and they could yell at us.
• Players put gauze rolls in their shin pads for added protection.
• “Gunk” was a gray sludge that seemed to grow in certain pieces of equipment.
• SB95 and EK46 were standard (look that up).
• Fluid replacement in the room between periods was known as 12, 12, 12 (12 water, 12 Coke, and 12 Gatorade). No “Sport Cola,” unless you played Edmonton.
• Had 12 bottles on the bench for the players and white sweat towels.
• Stick boys, if they did a good job, made $50.00 per game.
• We usually only carried three extra players on the road.
• “Optional” practice was still a bad word.

I’m sure there are more that I just cannot remember at this time. If you want to add, please feel free to do so. As always, safe travels and best of luck down the stretch. See you all in Orlando—and cheers to all.

Best always,
Mark “Peaches” Brennan
PHATS/SPHEM HHOF 2010

Bud Gouveia

By John Doolan

Continuing with our contribution to earlier newsletters, we are highlighting another alumni member to present their career and contributions to the group.        

In baseball a great trivia question is “who played first base after Lou Gehrig?” In our group it might be answered as Bud Gouveia when asked who replaced HOF member Tommy Woodcock as trainer of the Whalers in 1990.  Bud had big shoes to fill when he took over the head trainer duties that season. He went on to spend seven seasons before the team relocated to Carolina. Though invited to make the relocation move to Carolina, Bud and his family decided it was not the right move for them and he knew he would have many opportunities in Connecticut to continue his career.

Prior to joining the Whale, Bud honed his trade with the “Winged Beavers” of the prestigious New England Avon Old Farms School, being their Head Trainer from 1980 to 1990.  Where he also taught Algebra 1, and then settled into teaching biology.

After making the decision not to move with the Whalers, Bud went on to become Director of Fitness and Wellness at St. Francis Hospital, located in Hartford, until 2021.

During his career he has garnered a number of awards and distinctions.  He was inducted into the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association in April of 2021 and followed that up by having the training room at Gordon Fieldhouse on the campus of Avon Old Farms, dedicated in his name several months later.  He has also been appointed to the Advisory Board, Depat of Applied Exercise Science at Springfield College.

Bud lists Dr. John Fulerson, and our own alum, Skip Cunningham and Tom Woodcock as mentors during his career.  His love of sports and medicine led him to his life time career in sports medicine.

During his time in the NHL he listed the most memorable moment as Game 7, a double overtime playoff game against Montreal in 1992.  His favorite and least favorite memories, like many of us, was travel. When asked about advancements in his field, he said the introduction and improvements in modalities topped his list.

When employed, Bud enjoyed spending time at the beach with his family, to the extent that he and his wife relocated to Cape Cod after retiring and unlike a mailman taking a walk on his day off, he still shares his skills while assisting with the training staff of the Brewster White Caps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Though Bud only spent seven seasons with PHATS he was a respected and active member and contributor to the growth of the group.

We will have another record number of alums in attendance at the upcoming meetings. Including eight HOF members. We strongly encourage you to start up a conversation and get to know them better along with our other alum guests.

Bobby Stewart: A Wife’s Point of View

by Sherri Stewart

If I could encapsulate in one word Bobby Stewart, equipment manager of the Atlanta Flames, the Calgary Flames, and the Atlanta Thrashers, the word would be unassuming. For thirty-eight years, Bobby preferred to stay in the background, enjoying the people around him. But anyone who knew him were often caught off guard by his quick wit and a smile that knew no bounds. Former equipment manager of the Calgary Flames, Gus Thorson, remembered one such example of his quiet humor. “Years ago, I remember Al MacInnis signing a big deal. At the time, a huge deal. I think for $475,000 a year—that’s the number that sticks in my head—and somebody asked Bobby what he thought about it. And Bobby says: ‘I think it’s great. Between the two of us we now make darn near half-a-million dollars.’”

Bobby grew up in Montreal in a non-traditional family. After his mother died when he was three, he and his brother, Don, went to live with his Scottish grandparents in the country until they died, then they moved back with their father, who worked for the Canadian National Railroad. As a young boy, if he was hungry, his father would give him a dollar or two and tell him to go fend for himself. It was hockey that saved him when a friend suggested he join the Montreal Canadiens as a stick boy. Imagine the preteen walking home alone in the dark from the Forum to his apartment on Sherwood after every game.

After the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in the mid-sixties, someone handed him the cup and told him to take it home for the night. There were no white-gloved keepers of the Stanley Cup back then. A close friend, Dave Brown, captured the moment in his sketch of Bobby hoisting the cup as he walked home alone in the dark. Of course, he was everybody’s best friend after that.

As every equipment guy knows, no one works longer hours than trainers and equipment managers, but Bobby never complained. In fact, he liked it. The team became his family. When the league expanded in the early seventies, Cliff Fletcher took Bobby with him to Atlanta as an assistant trainer of the new Atlanta Flames. Back then, it was just Norm Mackie and Bobby as his assistant. Bobby had to learn how to drive a car before he left Montreal. How else was he going to take the equipment up to the practice rink in the middle of the night after a game?

It was late one Saturday night after a game that he met me, his future wife, at Denny’s where he’d stopped off to get breakfast and the ubiquitous cup of tea. Of course, in the South, it’s all about sweet tea, so he had to instruct me how to steep the perfect cup of hot tea. When I heard that Bobby was from Montreal, I asked him if he spoke French, to which he said, “Oui, je parle français.” Imagine his surprise when French spewed out my mouth, since teaching French at a local high school was my day job. Since French hadn’t been his best subject in school, all he could say was the French he’d learned in the streets playing hockey with his friends—probably not the same as the words in my textbook.

When the team moved to Calgary in 1980, Cliff Fletcher took us along, and Bobby and Bearcat Murray made up the training team, along with Brian Patafie, who kept everyone laughing, and Gus Thorson later on. Bearcat wrote years later, “Time, hours—they didn’t mean anything to Bobby. Once the job was done, only then would he go about his own business. Which is why Cliff loved him. Which is why everyone loved him.” The whole Calgary Flames organization was like a close-knit family—everyone was valued, everyone appreciated. The Flames lived in the shadow of Gretzy’s Edmonton Oilers, until the Flames became a contender in the late eighties when they won the Stanley Cup in 1989. That was the highlight of Bobby’s life. It was a delight to be part of a team in a town that loved their hockey. Bobby was always amazed when he’d walk in a 7-11, and somebody would want to try on his ring.

Through thick and thin, Bobby was a giver. I remember browsing with Bobby through Home Depot, when he’d see something like a plant mister and buy it for a player who’d mentioned they needed one. Whenever he’d come home from a long road trip, he’d always bring something home for our son, Joshua. An American candy bar or a keychain or a television in a can from Nagano Japan. It didn’t matter what it was; it was how he showed others they mattered, and he did the same for the fans.

In 1999, the Atlanta Thrashers began its tenure for the next twelve years, and Bobby was hired as the equipment manager. From a hockey city like Calgary, whose arena was always sold out, to a town that preferred college football, it was a struggle to fill the stands, but Bobby and Joey Guilmet made sure the players were always taken care of. It takes a certain personality to be a hockey trainer because life is one of sacrifice as they slog bags and wash uniforms in the middle of the night, then come home for a few hours of sleep before heading to the rink for the next day’s practice.

In 2011, the Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg signaled the end of Bobby’s hockey career. As he packed up the team for the last time to move it northward, it was hard for him to say goodbye, but he did it the same way he did everything, with humor and selflessness. In 2014, Bobby was honored by his fellow hockey equipment managers with a plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame. From his start as a stick boy in Montreal to a thirty-eight-year career with three great teams, Bobby enjoyed almost every minute. Even in retirement, he was always online checking hockey scores until he breathed his last in 2019. Even though Bobby has been gone for four years, I like to think he’s on a long road trip and will be back in a few days.

Sherri Stewart is a woman who has worn many hats.  As an author and editor, she has had ten books published.  Along her journey with Bobby, she has taught, been a principal, flight attendant and lawyer. 

The alum thanks Sherri for contributing firsthand look at a beloved member of the PHATS-SPHEM.

All photos courtesy of Sherri.

Tom “Woody” Woodcock

by John Doolan

Continuing with the Fall 22 newsletter, we are highlighting another alumni member to present their career and contributions to the group. We will have a record number of alum in attendance at the upcoming meetings. Please come and join us at our Hot Stove session.

Tommy could be considered the “Godfather” of what we have today. He was an integral part of the formation of PHATS/SPHEM. I reached out to HOF member Skip Thayer for insight to his contributions to the birth of our Societies. Here is an excerpt from the reply I received from Skip. “He first brought it up to me at the NATA meeting in Colorado in 1970 and then again at the NHL trainers meeting put on by Bauer in Kitchener. He was the one that really pushed it. Woody was a prime mover for all the trainers at that time, and remember there were not many of us back in those days. Today’s group would not believe the small group we started out with. All thanks to Mr. Woodcock!!!!” His presence always gave the membership food for thought and he never held back on his opinions on how the direction of the group should be steered.

First meeting in Kitchener. Seated L-R Bauer, Frank Paice NYR, Stan Waylett MINN, Bill Vandenburg, Bauer, Don Bauer, Max Wal-der, Bauer, Lefty Wilson DET, Bauer, Barry Keast, OAK. Standing L-R Ken Carson PIT, Dan Canney BOS, Frank Lewis PHL. Guess Woody took the picture!

The Providence native was a rink rat who started skating at eight and dreamed of playing hockey. He played high school hockey and cleaned the ice for the arena to get free ice time. He was an excellent skater who was given a try-out by his beloved Providence Reds of the AHL and signed to a contract and farmed out to New Haven and Toledo of the Eastern and International leagues. It was during this pro stint that he was directed to the training side of hockey.

Brown University played out of the same arena and the coach said he would like him to work for Brown and take classes. He went to the Reds GM and was told he was too light to play and thus he went back and took the offer. He took those courses and ended up as an assistant with the Reds and became a talented disciple of his mentor George Army. Not the plan he originally hoped for, but this put Woody on his NHL path.

One day the legendary Lynn Patrick (a former Boston General Manager) who also became a mentor, came up to him and said there was going to be a big NHL expansion. He was going to be the GM for a team in St. Louis and asked if he would like to be their trainer.

Thinking it was just a one-year gig, but 16-years later he was still there. When a new owner came in with plans to move the team to Saskatoon, he told the organization that they could keep their positions if they took a twenty-five hundred pay cut. GM Emile Francis was not about to agree to the terms and left to become GM in Hartford. Tommy followed and moved back to New England with the Whalers for the next seven years.

The final stop came in San Jose, a place he never expected to have NHL hockey or a place he never thought he would make home. He went to help Jack Ferreira the first Sharks GM to put the training staff together. Thinking it would be one and out he spent the next 7 years until his retirement in 1997. Even in retirement Tommy would venture back to the Sharks for training camp and to ride the playoff train by lending a helping hand.

For the older readers, we all remember “Woody’s Rub-a-dub”. He loved the progress in analgesics to relax and heal muscle soreness. Rub-a-dub was like KFC’s secret recipe. It was a variety of balm and creams that he would combine to make his creation. Any player who had been with Woody and been traded would request a tub of the concoction when they met up. He also authored a book in 1973 titled Hockey From the Ice Up: The How To’s Of Hockey For The Boy, The Parent, The Coach. (Available on Amazon)

Tommy was most proud of caring for Gary Unger’s medical needs for 752 of Gary’s 914 consecutive games played “Iron Man’s” record. His saddest day was when Bob Gassoff a strong talented Blue lost his life at a team family party at Unger’s ranch outside St. Louis.

Tommy over saw and helped develop improvements in equipment and incorporated the use of ultrasound while developing taping techniques especially in relation to ankle injuries.

For all of you who have indulged in an adult beverage at the hospitality suite during the annual meetings, you can thank Woody. During his time in St. Louis the team was sponsored by Budweiser and Tommy had made friends with the higher ups and asked if they could supply product for the meetings. So next time you go grab a beer from the suite, raise your bottle or can and toast Tommy with “This one’s for you Woody”. As a small token to Woody’s endeavor on our behalf the Executive Committee will dedicate the hospitality suite going forward in his honor.

In retirement he was an avid golfer and for a time was a starter at the course. (Old habits are hard to quit remember the clean ice get to ice time.) He also enjoyed tennis and riding motorcycles.

Woodcock is a legend in the NHL and the Sharks training room is dedicated to him. Tommy worked over

2900 games during his 36 years reaching the Cup finals 3 times. He also was part of 5 All-Star games, won a Silver Medal at the 1985 World Championships and was the trainer for ABC’s TV’s Superstars Competition which aired in 1973.

Tommy was our HOF inductee in 2003 and received the 2022 “Tops Award” presented by the Rhode Island Reds . Pete Demers accepted the award on Woody’s behalf as Tommy left us in 2022 at the age of 89 prior to the Red’s event.

by John Doolan, Alumni Co-Chairman

During the PHATS/SPHEM Convention, I was approached by several older members who commented that many younger members are not aware of previous groundbreakers or characters in some instances who came before.  Therefore, I have decided to use this opportunity to put a spotlight on those who were the trailblazers of PHATS/SPHEM.

Ross “Lefty” Wilson – Detroit Red Wings

Lefty had a dry sarcastic sense of humor and was the center of any discussion.  He was also an accomplished Ball player in his native Toronto.

Ross was the first President of the NHLTA the fore runner of PHATS/SPHEM. The association was formed in 1967 at the NATA Convention. One of the hurdles that the trainers faced was to convince the owners that they were not attempting to form a union but enhance their profession. Ross was well aware of the pitfalls of establishing an association, as he had viewed it firsthand watching HOF’er Ted Lindsay who was instrumental organizing the NHLPA during the late 50’s and 60’s. There was a fear that these trailblazers would lose their jobs over the group’s formation due in part that Ted Lindsay, the Wings Captain, who after 13 season and 758 points was traded primarily for his involvement with the NHLPA’s formation.

Lefty took a job in 1945 as the trainer and spare goaltender with the Omaha Knights of the old USHL. Gordie Howe was stopping in Omaha that year prior to embarking on his NHL Hall of Fame career. Ross would rejoin Howe in Detroit for the 1950 season as the assistant to Carl Mattson.

After seven seasons he took over the Head Trainer position for the next 25 years. During his tenure he was part of three Stanley Cup teams, worked six All-Star games and was the trainer for Team Canada during the 1976 Canada Cup. He worked over 2,300 games in his career.

Before teams had mandatory EBUGS, many trainers were also the practice goalies as teams in the 50’s only had one goaltender on the roster. Occasionally, the trainer had to don the gear for either their team or the opponent. Ross did this three times while in the minors and three more times in the NHL. Between 1953 and 1957, he would suit up for the Red Wings, Maple Leafs and Bruins. In these three stints he logged 81 minutes with a 1 GA and a 1.15 GAA. He is credited with a tie against the Wings while subbing for the Bruins in 1957.

Lefty was one of the early pioneers of the goalies protective face mask and set the standard for making his first iconic light weight mask in 1963 that Terry Sawchuck wore. It was crude and simple in terms of design, but it served its purpose as Sawchuk credited the mask for extending his career. What Wilson’s masks lacked in protection they made up for in style. His masks had large eye openings and the slits he cut for the mouth and ventilation which gave the goalie a stolid android like look.

He was the Societies’ first HOF inductee in 1995. The native of Toronto, Ontario, he passed in 2002 while visiting friends in Florida at the age of 83.

Ken “Kit” Carson – Pittsburgh Penguins/Toronto Blue Jays

Ken was also an original member of PHATS/SPHEM as he was elected to the position of Treasurer on the inaugural board for the NHLTA. Kenny got his start in training in his hometown of Barrie, Ontario when then Barrie Flyers trainer, Buddy LeRoux took him under his wing.  He amassed sixty-five years in pro sports. After the 1960 season he followed the team as they relocated to Niagara Falls of the OHA, the forerunner of today’s OHL and was the youngest head trainer at the ripe old age of 19. From there he left the Boston Bruins farm system and arrived in Rochester in 1965 in the Toronto Maple Leafs system. NHL expansion arrived in 1967 and Ken became the first trainer for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ten years later he would become the first trainer for the newly formed Toronto Blue Jays of the MBL. He also has the distinction of being the only person to work two All-Star games in two major league sports.

During his days in hockey, he was also an innovator. At the time, game sweaters did not come with “tie downs”, some players would take a quarter and a skate lace and configure one.  Ken came up with the concept of taking garter belt straps and sewing them directly to the sweater which then could attach to the pant buttons.

Several years ago, many of you began adding “Plate Protectors” to gloves. Ken worked with Spalding, who were in the hockey biz in Canada, to design what we called a “Fastback glove” designed to add extra protection. It was also introduced by other manufactures like Cooper and Jofa. 

Kenny left the training room behind in 1987 to become GM of the Dunedin Blue Jays and Director of the Jays training facility. 2007 saw him become a senior consultant and joined the Minor League Board of Trustees representing the Florida State League where he became President in 2015 till his retirement in 2019. In 2007 he was inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame and the Florida State League Hall of Fame in 2012. During his career he was part of a Memorial Cup, Calder Cup (2) and two World Series winners.

Ken and his wife Lillian were married on the mound of Rogers Center prior to a Jays game in 2012. Ken jokes that he wishes the fans in attendance had passed the hat that day.  They have been guests of the Alumni at our convention in 2018. He has also authored a book titled “From Hockey to Baseball I Kept Them in Stitches” which chronicles his life in pro sports.  The book is available on Amazon and is well worth the read.

To see more history on former and current members please visit our Family Tree at: Family Tree (groverweb.com).

All photos courtesy of John Doolan

Seat of Your Pants

by John Doolan

To ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ is to decide a course of action as you go along, using your own initiative and perceptions rather than a predetermined plan or mechanical aids.  It’s a similar phrase to “winging it,” and both expressions come from early aviation.  A line from the movie “Heartbreak Ridge” in which Clint Eastwood says “Adapt, Overcome, and Persevere.”  I am confident that even in today’s game, you are all winging it at some point. 

At some point either your athletes or yourselves have used a few of the below mentioned adaptations or inventions.

Tommy Naylor spent 26 years with the Maple Leafs and was part of 9 Cups.  He retired in 1970 but was called back to do skates for Team Canada in the 72 Summit Series.  He was widely sought out for his sharpening doing so not only for hockey but also international figure skaters. 

He has been credited with designing the portable sharpener so teams could travel with their own machine.  He also had a hand in the evolution of skates, which did not have a tendon guard.  After seeing players getting tendon cuts, Tom came up with a sewable guard, which then was intricated into the boot by manufacturers.  Bobby Hull played his whole career with the boot and sewn on tendon guard.  Blades have come a long, long way from Tommy’s days.  At one time we had tube skates, maybe you young guys have seen pictures.  The heal of the blade came to a sharp point and if a player fell a certain way, the heal of his skate could injure someone.  Tom came up with a heal plug (pictured 1,2) that inserted into the open end of the tube style blade.  He also came up with the wrap around calf protection for shin guards mostly used by defenseman. (pictured 3)

This is just a short overview of what Tommy Naylor gave to the game and our groups. 

The Alumni strongly encourage the HOF committee to induct Mr. Naylor posthumously.

Fifty or so years ago, manufactures did not make goalie pants.  Goalies wore the same pant as everyone else except for one change.  We would take foam and make a roll about two inches in diameter, tape it and sew them into the inseam to close the 5 hole. 

Mitten Clips are just what the name says, small bands of elastic with two clips.  Their purpose is to prevent little tykes from losing their mittens and clip to the coat.  Someone came up with the idea to use them to keep suspenders tighter on the pants.  Zinger in Winnipeg had a cottage industry supplying a beefed-up model to other equipment managers at one point in time.

What would happen if your sweaters showed up without a “tie down, fight strap?”  Well, they were not always taken for granted.  In fact, they are the result of “Winging It.”  Up until expansion in 67’ the game was not as rough until the Big Bad Bruins and Broad Street Bullies came to play.  My first recollection of a tie down was taking an old skate lace and a quarter and tying the quarter, then tying to the pants.  Ken Carson, long time trainer in both hockey and baseball took it a step further.  He would take garter belts, cut the straps and have those then sewn to the sweater, preferably on a number for better reinforcement.  The strap could then be attached to the pants’ suspender button.

Several years ago, you began adding “Plate Protectors” to gloves.  Well once again, this is a concept that goes back to the late 60’s.  Ken also worked with Spalding, who was also in the hockey biz to design what we called a “Fastback Glove”. (picture 4) Designed to add extra protection, it was also introduced by other manufactures like Cooper and Jofa. 

HOF member Mark Brennen has also winged it several times over his career.  There was a time when the toe of goalie pads was attached to the skate with “toe buckles and staples that went around the cowlings of the skates resulting in goalies taking direct shots to the skate. (picture 5) Mark came up with the idea of putting a protective piece where the buckles were and lacing them to the skate using a lace resulting in the “Toe Bridge” that is the now the norm.

Just as today, we had an open relationship with the players, manufactures and the equipment reps.  We looked to them for innovation, and they looked to us for inspiration.  It was a working relationship, we shared ideas and we were happy to see changes made to where we all are today.

We will have several Alum in attendance in Florida, so please take a moment to introduce yourselves and pick our withering brains.  Good luck for the rest of the season!

All photos courtesy of John Doolan

Changes

by Mark “Peaches” Brennan

Got a phone call from John Doolan, who wanted to know if I could write an article for the alumni about life after hockey.  Guess I never thought about a life after hockey.  For years we live out our dream and never think that it will end.  

The first time it ended I never saw that coming.  As I have always said, don’t wait for the “what the f@#$ moment!”  “Didn’t see that coming.”  As the HR department said, “You have 20 minutes to clean out your space!”.

The only guarantee we have is one day we will either retire or be fired. I have had both in my career.  Thankfully, the second time around, it was my choice to leave the Portland Winterhawks and retire.  They were gracious enough to let me enjoy the moment. Yes, after almost four decades and some 2,250 games, it was time to pass on the sharpening jig.  It was a great career and an honor to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on behalf of PHATS/SPHEM.

So, I did retire?  Did I plan to retire, hell yes!  Did I plan on playing golf every day and sitting on some tropical island, hell yes, I did!  Did reality check in at some point?  Hell, yes it did!  

The reality is, we planned for both of us to retire at some point and looked at our lives both as a partnership between my wonderful wife Judy, the first PHATS/SPHEM Administrator, and what type of impact it would have both mentally and financially.  

So, what is my advice?  Plan to retire when you first start working.  We planned and invested for years and had a long-term plan.  So, to anyone out there, have a plan both mentally and financially.  It is over quicker than you think.

So, back to what this is all about, is there life after hockey?  There is life after anything.  It’s called life changes.  So, I retired for five weeks and got bored as hell and ran out of things to do around the house and needed to be busy.  So, I did the next best thing to working in hockey, I got a job in a brewery.  Go figure, beer league hockey comes to reality.  Landed a job, full time at a wonderful and progressive local independent brewery (Ecliptic Brewing).  I’m having a great time and learning a whole new skill in packaging and production, and I work with passionate people who believe in what they are doing, and we get to share it with a lot of people.  Sounds like a hockey mindset.

So, I ride my bike to work every day at 5:15am, rain or shine.  Have a clean bill of health, normal blood pressure and have lost 15lbs in the process so far.  Go figure, work in sports all my life and get out of shape and have high blood pressure and then get a job in a brewery, get in shape, and get healthier.  

Do I miss the game?  Every day I miss the game, but most of all I miss the people I have met and who will always be considered friends for life.  So glad to have been part of the brother and sisterhood and I have always believed, only we know what we do every day in and out.  Do I miss the work, hell no!  It sucked most of the time, the late nights and time away from home.  Now I only work five days a week, home every night for dinner and off every weekend.  We even have paid time off.  This has been a real adjustment for both me and Judy. But, getting used to it.  And just so everyone knows, we don’t drink beer all day at work.  Only when we are off the clock and in a responsible manner.  

So, life after hockey is what you make it.  Plan for it and think about it.  It is going to happen to everyone.  It is over sooner than you think so don’t get caught in the moment.  Regardless, age and time wait for no one.  Do we plan for more life changes after the brewery?  Darn well better believe it!  We have already planned to be moving to that island, sitting on that beach and just maybe, enjoying that cold brew that I may have had a small part in making.  

Cheers to you all, safe travels and happy landing, best to all.

Mark “Peaches” Brennan

HHOF 2010

All photos courtesy of Mark Brennan

WHAT IF?

By John Doolan

What if you had not gone into hockey?  What would have been your career path?  For those on the medical side, you had many more opportunities to ply your trade than those of us who got the bug to work with the equipment.

I reached out to members of “Trainers who worked in Minor League Hockey”, which contributor Scott Luhrmann established on Facebook.  If you haven’t visited come and join.  Random replies from those no longer in the game and those still plying their trade were sent to me.

For myself, being in hockey was a goal from the time I saw my first HNIC game on TV (yes, it was in black and white).  When I finished high school, I planned to attend college with a goal to get a position in a PR department or wherever else to get my start.  As it turned out, I was in the right place at the right time and Ken Carson hired me to be his assistant in Pittsburgh, which made my dream come true for 38 years.

Rob Gagne:  Rob was working towards his Masters in Criminal Justice at Michigan State, while looking at a career with Immigration and Customs.  He was working with Tom Magee as a student manager, when they got a call to help out in the Colonial League to assist their old assistant coach at State.

This led to crossing paths with Doug MacLean and Mark Brennan of the Red Wings.  This meeting turned into a 20-year career and Rob now has his own skate shoppe in the Cleveland area.  Rob feels it turned out to be the right move considering the current immigration climate in the United States.

Scott Luhrmann:  Scott started out in Pro Soccer with the NY Cosmos and moved onto the Devils.  He joined the Rangers for three seasons before time in various minor league positions.  If not for his shot in hockey Scott states he would have gone into skilled labor as he did when the rink door closed on him.  He now is an elevator inspector in New York City.

Corky Osborn:  Ever since Corky was a young child, Corky wanted to be an airline pilot. However, back then you had to have 20/20 vision to even be considered for training and he had worn glasses since the third grade so that was out. The next best thing was air traffic control and he was set to start schooling for it when a fractured femur from racing motorcycles put an end to that career route.

The therapy involved after three surgeries piqued his interest to pursue athletic training/physical therapy which he did at OSU. Had he not gotten into hockey he might have ended up in another sport or at the clinic. As Corky says “Thank God for hockey because that’s where I discovered my extended family.”  Cork would have made a great air traffic controller as he has always been on the right course.

Adam Dexter:  Everyone’s good friend and comic relief, Adam, would have become a beer salesman working for his dad.  “That could have been a bad career move.” Dex said, along with “Think of all the free beer I could have had the last 20 years.”  I am sure Dex would have been a great salesman, he could sell fridges in Siberia.  Only problem is he would have drunk all the profits.  Beer’s loss, hockey’s gain.

Roger Beaudoin:  If Roger hadn’t gone into hockey, he would have probably ended up going into the HVAC field with his father. Roger’s hockey experience was with the Maine Mariners working with some well-known names.  Ray Jones, Pete Henderson, Jerry Foster and hiring future Anaheim Ducks equipment manager Chris Aldrich to his first job. 

Unfortunately, he ended up coming down with a chronic illness that cost him his hockey job and ended up working in his in-law’s landscape and snow removal business, which he and his wife currently own.

Ross Hoerman:  If not for hockey, Ross would have probably stuck with history as a major and gone on to teach or into archeology/paleontology.  His hockey background began at D3 Lawrence University with stints in junior and other minor leagues.  Ross is now involved in Loss Prevention with a Midwest retailer.

Frank Jury:  Frank would have taken a food and beverage career if hockey had not popped on his menu.  He has actually worked in restaurant management during the off seasons and continues with an association with Chili’s.  Frank got his start in Utica with Brian Patafie in ‘77 and has made many stops during his 43-year career.

Never Saw that Coming

By John Doolan

We have all had our lives turned upside down since last February.  I would like to share a few insights from alumni members on how they took on the pandemic and adjusted their lives in an attempt to prevail.

As a retiree, my day-to-day life did not change as drastically as I am sure yours did.  My Social Security and Pension came in as usual.  My wife worked from home, her being home is a plus as she did not have to commute, and I can get on her nerves more often.

In early March, my wife and I did the “Snowstorm” stock up.  TP, bread, milk and other goods to get us through what we hoped would be a safe quarantine.  Our last day out was March 13^th.  We hunkered down and cleaned out the freezer and pantry, ordering just once from a grocery delivery service, for the next 12 weeks.  Yes, we did not leave our home for 3 months.  We then began to make trips to grocery shops and an odd trip to other stores for items we needed.  “Cabin Fever” is an understatement, but if you could ask those souls we have lost, I am sure they would change places in a heartbeat. 

Please enjoy the synopsis from 3 members who battled through the lockdown and how their business platform changed.  The third member is still working hockey in Sweden.  His experiences both as far as the team’s struggles and protocols should be an insight into life in Europe as we adjusted ours in North America.  Their inputs were submitted the first week of October.

Chris Phillips is an Athletic Trainer and Strength Coach who spent 17 years in pro hockey including 8 years in the NHL with the Ducks and Capitals. Orange County, CA

When I left professional sports to open up my own sports performance and rehab facility, I didn’t realize how much there was to learn about running a business. As an Athletic Trainer in the NHL, you run things all the time. You do your normal job, but then have to manage budgets, manage reporting systems, develop protocols, etc. How hard is it to run a business, right? Well, a lot harder than I thought, but still rewarding and happy I did it. Then Covid hit!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m still happy I own my own business, but Covid added another issue to deal with. The good news is we are surviving. I had to take a step back and look at how the business runs and how I can make it better and more profitable. Being shut down for basically six weeks and still working at a limited capacity seven months later gave me some time to re-assess the business and my life to make them better. The biggest thing I committed to was decreasing the amount I work personally. In pro sports, we are used to working hours upon hours a day without days off. I brought that work effort to my business, which helped it grow and become successful, but at what expense? I have a great staff that can more than handle the workload. Having faith in them and utilizing their expertise has allowed me to spend time building the business more as well as streamlining it. It also allows me to enjoy life a little more by having time to do things I usually would not have time for. I have a staff, colleagues, friends and Covid to thank for that. My advice for you is to take this down time and take a step back to re-assess what you are doing and how you can make your life more rewarding and enjoyable while still doing the great job we always do.

Chris also added some of the daily protocols that he has instituted at his facility.  They mirror many that you and your team have probably put in place:

• Daily staff log in with temperature check and symptom checklist
• All staff and clients to wash or sanitize hands frequently including before and after each session
• Masks are to be worn when clients or staff cannot maintain a minimum of 6 feet of social distance
• No equipment will be shared and all equipment sanitized after use
• Staff or clients are asked to stay home if they have any symptoms or a fever of 100.4 or above
• Limit capacity in facility to allow for social distancing

Gus Thorson is Owner/Operator Breakaway Sports Repair, Calgary. Alberta

Around Thursday, March 12, 2020, there was the first-reported positive case of COVID-19 reported by a player in the men’s Rec-League in our facility.  We, as a business, decided that we would stay open through the weekend, and then close temporarily.  All of our staff were laid off effective March 15.

By Monday March 16, the Province of Alberta ordered closure of many business, including all Arenas and sports facilities. Our business income dropped to Zero.  Our rent was deferred for 3 months.

Personally, my family and I quarantined of “Self-Isolated” for fourteen days, because we

worried that I may have had contact with the person(s) that had had positive tests.

Luckily, we all were symptom free.

For the next 3 months I spent time with only my wife and son who still lives at home.  We went walking several times a day, went for drives around the province, played cards and games as a family, played video games and streamed almost every movie and series that Netflix had to offer.  I also learned some new skills.  My son and I mastered home-made baked pretzels, banana bread and oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies. This was actually a bit of a much needed mental and physical break for me, since I had only had about four days off in the previous 4 months.

Mid-May I asked and received permission from our landlord to offer curb-side repairs and sharpening.  I finally had something to get me out of the house, for a few hours each day.  We advertised on Social Media and began taking appointments May 12th. For the last 2 weeks of May, and the first 11 days of June, we generated under $1000.00 in revenue. It wasn’t much but it was something.

The Province of Alberta mandated that arenas could re-open, under certain precautions and restrictions, on June 12th.  We had prepared for this in advance, and needed only a quick inspection from our landlord and received permission.  We re-opened, with a reduction in our weekly business hours of about 50%. 

All of our staff were either working other jobs, doing online education, or collecting government benefits, so we did not bring any staff back other than myself.  Our revenue for the rest of the month was about 60% of the same month the previous year.

We continued “9 to 5” daily until mid-August, and sales were a bit better.  Revenue for the period was down by about 20%, but things were on the way up.

Mid-August we brought one staff member back, for 40 hours a week.  Business hours were back to about 90% of regular.  Two of the four sheets of ice were opened.  Revenue crept up to about 80% of “normal”.

After Labour Day we were able to re-open to our full regular hours, and all four sheets of ice were “Open”.  All of our staff that wanted to return were re-hired.  Two had taken other full-time employment and we hired one new staff member.

Since then, business has been steady, but not busy.  There is still much uncertainty about what is happening.  Many people are finding other options, or not returning to the rink until things become more “normal”.  Sales are down from previous periods, about 70% of normal.

We are all thankful for the fact that we are healthy, working, and paying our bills.

Rob “Doogie” Flahiff is a trainer with Liksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League.

Here in Sweden, we have one of the most liberal social contact / lock down policies in Europe. We currently have no mask mandate or forced isolation. All guidelines, however are subject to change for better or worse on short notice.

That said, we are soldiering along with social distance guidelines set forth by the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation and pushed hard by our league, the SHL.

These rules are for the most part common sense. If you are not feeling 100% healthy, contact the medical team and immediately start self-isolation until instructed otherwise; plenty of physical distance in dressing rooms, hallways, transportation, etc.; plenty of handwashing and cleanliness. Testing is done on a case-by-case basis. The team just recently received our own quick testing kits and we will see what guidelines are used for those.

A lot of the daily routine is still in place, but one noticeable difference is the game outside of the dressing room. Even though we have liberal social policies for the virus, this does not extend to allowing public gatherings or spectators at matches. We are currently limited to a total of 50 spectators regardless of building capacity.

As a result, a smaller club like ours is surviving through our TV rights and the largess of some sponsors, (including CCM being one of our bigger sponsors). At the current clip, we are losing around 100k USD per night on lost gate / associated revenue.

Everyone in the organization, including the players. have taken a significant pay cut to offset the lost revenues. Things are stretched pretty thin, but we all realize that it could be and still could be much worse. The danger is that if we don’t have a significant improvement in total infection numbers in all of Swedish society, we will not be able to open for more spectators.

We, like the entire world need to work together to get through this mess and stay hopeful for a significant improvement, a functional vaccine, or an outright cure.