I just wanted to say thank you to all of you loyal PrairieThunder fans and hockey fans who have read my blog. I hope that you have enjoyed it and will continue to read it.
If you are reading this you have noticed that it has changed to kinchequipmentguy.blogspot.com .
I wanted you to hear it from me first, the Bloomington PrairieThunder have elected not to renew my contract for next season. I would like to thank them for the year and a half that I have been with the organization. It would be very easy for me to start to bad mouth them and tell you what I think, but I won't do that.
I would like to thank the booster club and all the people in it that have been so great to my family and I. You all do a great job and the players don't know how good they have it. We have made many lasting friendship with you. Thank you for always being there when I needed the help.
Unless I sign with another hockey team and they need me sooner, we will be here until September when I finish with the baseball team. There are many jobs out there that I am pursing and I may have something here shortly.
I will continue to blog about baseball and other things I see interesting in the hockey world.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
This would not happen in hockey!
For those of you who don't know, I am working for the Normal CornBelters baseball team this summer as the team's clubhouse manager. This is similar to being an equipment manager in hockey. June 1st was the teams opening day. If you haven't seen it yet you need to check out the teams field "The Corn Crib". Although, the field itself is playable, we are without a clubhouse for us and the visiting team. The umpires are dressing in the front office. This makes it hard on the guys who have to go without their normal showers and routines until they get home. Also, it is a lot harder for me to keep things organized and from getting lost. However, we are making due until they are done. The visiting team is getting dressed at their hotel and busing over.
Now in hockey, it is up to the equipment manager to arrange with the team you are visiting to get your laundry washed and get into the locker room to hang up the equipment. At this level of baseball, the clubhouse managers do not travel, only the trainer goes with the team. In my book, it is up to the trainer to make sure everything gets done.
On Friday, I was going about my business and was finishing up getting ready for the game when I received a disturbing phone call at 2:30 pm. The manager at the visiting team hotel, who I know fairly well, called to tell me that the visiting team was there and they were wondering if and when their laundry and uniforms were going to get washed and what they needed to do. As it turns out, they came in the night before, but nobody had bothered to let me know. Granted this would have been harder to let happen in hockey because you have to hang the equipment to dry, but a team could have been left waiting to get in if they fail to call me. Luckily, I was done setting up and I raced to the hotel to pick up their laundry. When I got there I was told that they would just play in their uniforms and only the guys laundry needed to be done. Well, no clubhouse = no laundry room. I have been going to the laundry mat to wash the stuff, so I raced their and back to the hotel put it in their dryer. In the end, Kalamazoo was able to make it to batting practice on time. I apologized to one of their coaches and he told me that it was equally their fault.
You can count on it that next time a team comes in I will call the hotel and see when they are checking in.
Oh, and the walk-off home run in the bottom of 12th inning that won the game for us made me forget all about the day that I had.
Now in hockey, it is up to the equipment manager to arrange with the team you are visiting to get your laundry washed and get into the locker room to hang up the equipment. At this level of baseball, the clubhouse managers do not travel, only the trainer goes with the team. In my book, it is up to the trainer to make sure everything gets done.
On Friday, I was going about my business and was finishing up getting ready for the game when I received a disturbing phone call at 2:30 pm. The manager at the visiting team hotel, who I know fairly well, called to tell me that the visiting team was there and they were wondering if and when their laundry and uniforms were going to get washed and what they needed to do. As it turns out, they came in the night before, but nobody had bothered to let me know. Granted this would have been harder to let happen in hockey because you have to hang the equipment to dry, but a team could have been left waiting to get in if they fail to call me. Luckily, I was done setting up and I raced to the hotel to pick up their laundry. When I got there I was told that they would just play in their uniforms and only the guys laundry needed to be done. Well, no clubhouse = no laundry room. I have been going to the laundry mat to wash the stuff, so I raced their and back to the hotel put it in their dryer. In the end, Kalamazoo was able to make it to batting practice on time. I apologized to one of their coaches and he told me that it was equally their fault.
You can count on it that next time a team comes in I will call the hotel and see when they are checking in.
Oh, and the walk-off home run in the bottom of 12th inning that won the game for us made me forget all about the day that I had.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Lots of miles!
It looks like there is going to be a lot of changes for this next year. Either way there is going to be more travel. It sounds like from all the reports that this team will be entering the CHL. Here is a look at how the travel might change.
Quad City - 131 miles
Fort Wayne - 233 miles
Dayton - 288 miles
Flint - 378 miles
Port Huron - 444 miles
Missouri Mavericks - 368 miles
Mississippi RiverKings - 460 miles
Tulsa Oilers - 557 miles
Wichita Thunder - 575 miles
Allen Americans - 768 miles
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs - 778 miles
Texas Brahmas - 808 miles
Rapid City Rush - 914 miles
Colorado Eagles - 964 miles
Odessa Jackalopes - 1115 miles
Laredo Bucks - 1222 miles
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees - 1321 miles
Kalamazoo Wings - 252 miles
Cincinnati Cyclones -285 miles
Toledo Walleye - 351 miles
Wheeling Nailors - 472 miles
Gwinnett Gladiators - 680 miles
Greenville - 695 miles
Elmira Jackals - 756 miles
Reading Royals - 771 miles
Trenton Devils - 835 miles
South Carolina Stingrays - 898 miles
Florida Everblades - 1260 miles
Keep in mind, if we are in the ECHL we would have to go to all of these places. I think the plan in the CHL is that we would not play everyone.
Quad City - 131 miles
Fort Wayne - 233 miles
Dayton - 288 miles
Flint - 378 miles
Port Huron - 444 miles
Missouri Mavericks - 368 miles
Mississippi RiverKings - 460 miles
Tulsa Oilers - 557 miles
Wichita Thunder - 575 miles
Allen Americans - 768 miles
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs - 778 miles
Texas Brahmas - 808 miles
Rapid City Rush - 914 miles
Colorado Eagles - 964 miles
Odessa Jackalopes - 1115 miles
Laredo Bucks - 1222 miles
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees - 1321 miles
Kalamazoo Wings - 252 miles
Cincinnati Cyclones -285 miles
Toledo Walleye - 351 miles
Wheeling Nailors - 472 miles
Gwinnett Gladiators - 680 miles
Greenville - 695 miles
Elmira Jackals - 756 miles
Reading Royals - 771 miles
Trenton Devils - 835 miles
South Carolina Stingrays - 898 miles
Florida Everblades - 1260 miles
Keep in mind, if we are in the ECHL we would have to go to all of these places. I think the plan in the CHL is that we would not play everyone.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Bits and pieces of everything
After spending a week in 2nd place, my fantasy team is back in 1st with a record of 47-32-5. Two games up on the second place team.
I put this on here because I am from Salt Lake City #5. It is yahoo's 10 best cities for the next decade.
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10-best-cities-for-the-next-decade
Check this out. I found this link on the Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers facebook page. Mike Aldrich from San Jose did a great job with team USA's locker room.
http://behindthescenes2010games.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-02-20T15%3A33%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=7
Is the third time really a charm? It will be for Marian Hossa if the Black Hawks can beat the Flyers. This is the 3rd year in a row that he has played in the Stanley Cup finals, however he has not been a part of the winning team. 2 years ago he was a part of the Penguins team that lost to the Redwings. Last year he switched sides hoping his luck would change. It didn't as his Redwings lost to the Penguins. This year he will try and win it with the Black Hawks.
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a step in the right direction as they have hired one of the best on-ice leaders to run their team. Steve Yzerman was hired as their GM. I think he will do a great job.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=322598
Congrats to the Cincinnati Cyclones who won the ECHL Championship.
The Normal CornBelters won their first ever game 7 to 0 over Evansville. They are 3-1. Opening Day is June 1st at the Corn Crib in Normal.
I put this on here because I am from Salt Lake City #5. It is yahoo's 10 best cities for the next decade.
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10-best-cities-for-the-next-decade
Check this out. I found this link on the Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers facebook page. Mike Aldrich from San Jose did a great job with team USA's locker room.
http://behindthescenes2010games.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-02-20T15%3A33%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=7
Is the third time really a charm? It will be for Marian Hossa if the Black Hawks can beat the Flyers. This is the 3rd year in a row that he has played in the Stanley Cup finals, however he has not been a part of the winning team. 2 years ago he was a part of the Penguins team that lost to the Redwings. Last year he switched sides hoping his luck would change. It didn't as his Redwings lost to the Penguins. This year he will try and win it with the Black Hawks.
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a step in the right direction as they have hired one of the best on-ice leaders to run their team. Steve Yzerman was hired as their GM. I think he will do a great job.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=322598
Congrats to the Cincinnati Cyclones who won the ECHL Championship.
The Normal CornBelters won their first ever game 7 to 0 over Evansville. They are 3-1. Opening Day is June 1st at the Corn Crib in Normal.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Lots going on!
I sat down with Josh Redman this week and he interviewed me about my job. We talked about many things I do. Check it out, a few things might make you laugh. Thanks again Josh, I had a blast.
http://pwrply2.podbean.com/
Well, the Flint Generals were also able to come back from a 3 to 1 deficit to defeat the Muskegon Lumberjacks and end 50 years of pro hockey in that city. They will take on the Fort Wayne Komets. That series will start tomorrow in Fort Wayne. For more info on the dates and times of that series check out the press release:
http://ism3.infinityprosports.com/ismdata/2009062901/std-sitebuilder/sites/200901/www/en/news/index.html?article_id=881
Here is a little more about Muskegon and the 50 years. I find it kinda funny that on the second to last day of the season, Muskegon rested Centomo, Little, Bouchard, and Robinson against Flint. Muskegon lost that game and lost to them in the playoffs. If they would have won that game, we would have been in the playoffs. Nobody wanted to play Flint because of the run that they were putting together. Muskegon didn't find that game important to win, thus they are now on the golf course.
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2010/05/after_50_years_its_game_over_f.html
There is now a second team in the IHL without a coach as Stan Drulia in Port Huron resigned earlier this week. John Marks was fired last month from Dayton.
http://ism3.infinityprosports.com/ismdata/2009062901/std-sitebuilder/sites/200901/www/en/news/index.html?article_id=879
Peoria will have a new coach next year as Rick Wamsley was dismissed by the St. Louis Blues.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/blues/story/3A182484FE45D1D78625771C000EF418?OpenDocument
Congrats to the Rapid City Rush who won the Central League Championship by beating the Allen Americans 4 games to 2.
Pro baseball in the Bloomington-Normal area has officially begun. The team started practicing yesterday in Downs at Tri-Valley high school.
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/cornbelters/article_411f819e-5972-11df-9586-001cc4c03286.html
In order to try and get back on the right track the Cubs have called up top prospect Starlin Castro. Lets hope that he can step in and help.
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/chicago-cubs/article_513255b0-5a27-11df-a07b-001cc4c03286.html
Have a good weekend. Happy Mothers day to all the Moms.
Kinch
http://pwrply2.podbean.com/
Well, the Flint Generals were also able to come back from a 3 to 1 deficit to defeat the Muskegon Lumberjacks and end 50 years of pro hockey in that city. They will take on the Fort Wayne Komets. That series will start tomorrow in Fort Wayne. For more info on the dates and times of that series check out the press release:
http://ism3.infinityprosports.com/ismdata/2009062901/std-sitebuilder/sites/200901/www/en/news/index.html?article_id=881
Here is a little more about Muskegon and the 50 years. I find it kinda funny that on the second to last day of the season, Muskegon rested Centomo, Little, Bouchard, and Robinson against Flint. Muskegon lost that game and lost to them in the playoffs. If they would have won that game, we would have been in the playoffs. Nobody wanted to play Flint because of the run that they were putting together. Muskegon didn't find that game important to win, thus they are now on the golf course.
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2010/05/after_50_years_its_game_over_f.html
There is now a second team in the IHL without a coach as Stan Drulia in Port Huron resigned earlier this week. John Marks was fired last month from Dayton.
http://ism3.infinityprosports.com/ismdata/2009062901/std-sitebuilder/sites/200901/www/en/news/index.html?article_id=879
Peoria will have a new coach next year as Rick Wamsley was dismissed by the St. Louis Blues.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/blues/story/3A182484FE45D1D78625771C000EF418?OpenDocument
Congrats to the Rapid City Rush who won the Central League Championship by beating the Allen Americans 4 games to 2.
Pro baseball in the Bloomington-Normal area has officially begun. The team started practicing yesterday in Downs at Tri-Valley high school.
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/cornbelters/article_411f819e-5972-11df-9586-001cc4c03286.html
In order to try and get back on the right track the Cubs have called up top prospect Starlin Castro. Lets hope that he can step in and help.
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/chicago-cubs/article_513255b0-5a27-11df-a07b-001cc4c03286.html
Have a good weekend. Happy Mothers day to all the Moms.
Kinch
Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday notes
Well, after 4 weeks of fantasy baseball, I am still in 1st place with a record of 31-14-3.
Around the IHL, Fort Wayne came from being down 3 games to 1 to win the series 4 games to 3 against Port Huron. This is the second time in 3 years that they have done this.
In the other series, Muskegon is up 3 games to 2. Game 6 will be played tomorrow night in Muskegon. Here is a look into that series:
http://www.mlive.com/lumberjacks/index.ssf/2010/05/sebastien_centomo_expected_to.html
There hasn't been much PrairieThunder news lately. Here is a sad piece that came out today. I did not know him, but I am sure that many of you did.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4003188
In a surprising move, the Bloomington Extreme fired their coach today.
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/extreme/article_3f321e40-56df-11df-9776-001cc4c002e0.html
For some of you, the equipment sale was the first look into the PrairieThunder locker room. Although, it was not during the season and a few things were missing. You got an idea as to what it looks like. Well, I am not a fan of the Vancouver Canucks, but you have to check out this tour of their locker room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K59vJHhQg6g
Here it is a little more in depth.
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHAYgNxZjd0&feature=related
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPtVBpgJeHY&feature=related
Email me and let me know what you want me to talk about. mkincher@yahoo.com
Around the IHL, Fort Wayne came from being down 3 games to 1 to win the series 4 games to 3 against Port Huron. This is the second time in 3 years that they have done this.
In the other series, Muskegon is up 3 games to 2. Game 6 will be played tomorrow night in Muskegon. Here is a look into that series:
http://www.mlive.com/lumberjacks/index.ssf/2010/05/sebastien_centomo_expected_to.html
There hasn't been much PrairieThunder news lately. Here is a sad piece that came out today. I did not know him, but I am sure that many of you did.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4003188
In a surprising move, the Bloomington Extreme fired their coach today.
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/extreme/article_3f321e40-56df-11df-9776-001cc4c002e0.html
For some of you, the equipment sale was the first look into the PrairieThunder locker room. Although, it was not during the season and a few things were missing. You got an idea as to what it looks like. Well, I am not a fan of the Vancouver Canucks, but you have to check out this tour of their locker room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K59vJHhQg6g
Here it is a little more in depth.
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHAYgNxZjd0&feature=related
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPtVBpgJeHY&feature=related
Email me and let me know what you want me to talk about. mkincher@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Summer jobs
Here is 3 players that played in this league that are going to continue to play this summer. Australia would not be a bad place to live in the summer. I wonder if any of those teams are looking for equipment manager. :)
Shane Lovdahl - Quad City
http://www.adelaideadrenaline.com/team.php
Nick Boucher - Fort Wayne
http://www.bearsden.com.au/team
Voldy Dashko - Former PrairieThunder player
http://www.bluetongues.com.au/2010-gold-coast-blue-tongues-roster.html
Shane Lovdahl - Quad City
http://www.adelaideadrenaline.com/team.php
Nick Boucher - Fort Wayne
http://www.bearsden.com.au/team
Voldy Dashko - Former PrairieThunder player
http://www.bluetongues.com.au/2010-gold-coast-blue-tongues-roster.html
Playoff suspensions
Matt Krug (Muskegon), Rick Smith (Flint), and Justin Hodgman (Fort Wayne) have all been suspended by the IHL for playoff games.
http://ism3.infinityprosports.com/ismdata/2009062901/std-sitebuilder/sites/200901/www/en/news/index.html?article_id=863
This could make things hard for Fort Wayne, since Hodgman leads the league with 6 playoff pts. The Komets have scored 9 goals in 3 games and Hodgman has been apart of 6 of them.
If Fort Wayne can't survive this, look for their fans to complain about it all summer long. :o
http://ism3.infinityprosports.com/ismdata/2009062901/std-sitebuilder/sites/200901/www/en/news/index.html?article_id=863
This could make things hard for Fort Wayne, since Hodgman leads the league with 6 playoff pts. The Komets have scored 9 goals in 3 games and Hodgman has been apart of 6 of them.
If Fort Wayne can't survive this, look for their fans to complain about it all summer long. :o
NHL players
As I watch the NHL playoffs, I noticed that there are a few players playing that I have had on my previous teams.
Joel Ward - Nashville Predators - Houston Aeros
Benoit Pouliot - Montreal Canadiens - Houston Aeros
John Erskine - Washington Capitals - Utah Grizzlies
Dan Ellis - Nashville Predators - Utah Grizzlies
Nashville got knocked out last night by the blackhawks, so good luck to Benoit and John as they battle each other.
Joel Ward - Nashville Predators - Houston Aeros
Benoit Pouliot - Montreal Canadiens - Houston Aeros
John Erskine - Washington Capitals - Utah Grizzlies
Dan Ellis - Nashville Predators - Utah Grizzlies
Nashville got knocked out last night by the blackhawks, so good luck to Benoit and John as they battle each other.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Around the IHL / ECHL / Fantasy Baseball
Port Huron is up 2 games to 1 over Fort Wayne. Game 4 will be played Wednesday April 28th in Port Huron.
Muskegon is up 2 games to 0 over Flint. Game 3 will be played Tuesday April 27th in Flint. Defense of the Year Matt Krug has been suspended for Game 3.
http://www.mlive.com/lumberjacks/index.ssf/2010/04/muskegon_lumberjack_defenseman_1.html
Other news: Dayton fired head coach John Marks.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/hockey/gems-fire-head-coach-after-last-place-finish-668294.html
ECHL
Charlotte is down 3 games to 2 against Cincinnati. The winner of this series will take on Reading in the American Conference Finals. Idaho will take on Stockton in the National Conference finals.
On a separate note, after a disappointing week of going 4 wins, 7 loses, and 1 tie, my fantasy baseball team remained in first place with a record 22 -11 - 3. I am a half game ahead of second place. This is a huge week as I play the second place team. I take the blame last week for the bad record as I left a few guys on the bench that hit home runs, had I played those guys I might have won.
Thanks to those of you who came to the equipment sale. We had a great turnout. I hope you enjoy your new collectibles and equipment.
Muskegon is up 2 games to 0 over Flint. Game 3 will be played Tuesday April 27th in Flint. Defense of the Year Matt Krug has been suspended for Game 3.
http://www.mlive.com/lumberjacks/index.ssf/2010/04/muskegon_lumberjack_defenseman_1.html
Other news: Dayton fired head coach John Marks.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/hockey/gems-fire-head-coach-after-last-place-finish-668294.html
ECHL
Charlotte is down 3 games to 2 against Cincinnati. The winner of this series will take on Reading in the American Conference Finals. Idaho will take on Stockton in the National Conference finals.
On a separate note, after a disappointing week of going 4 wins, 7 loses, and 1 tie, my fantasy baseball team remained in first place with a record 22 -11 - 3. I am a half game ahead of second place. This is a huge week as I play the second place team. I take the blame last week for the bad record as I left a few guys on the bench that hit home runs, had I played those guys I might have won.
Thanks to those of you who came to the equipment sale. We had a great turnout. I hope you enjoy your new collectibles and equipment.
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