Category Archives: charlotte is awesome

Highs & Lows – A season of ups and downs for the Charlotte Checkers

Posted on by
6

I spent most of my college years (and beyond, thanks to my amazing job that allows me to take a summer off if I really want to) working at a camp in the mountains of North Carolina.  It was an incredible place, and one that really made me the person I am today.   It gave me an appreciation of the environment, the outdoors, hiking and white water kayaking,  and the ability to not be too grossed out at the smells one encounters after a few days on a backpacking trip and no showers, or, what I might catch a whiff of during a post-game media scrum.  But more than that, I learned about people.  I learned about talking to them, and interacting with adults and children of all different walks of life, and I loved it, and I still do, which is a big part of why I write here at Chasing Checkers.

One of the exercises we used at camp to process a day, or an event like completing a high ropes course or climbing tower, was talking about our “Highs and lows.”  It’s important to think of both, because even a terrible situation has to have something positive in it, and sometime it’s humbling to think about the hard things that get you to the top and that feeling of euphoria at the end of a great day.

As I tried to process the Checkers loss to OKC in the first round of the playoffs, I thought about my own Checkers highs and lows from the past season.

So, in no particular, my highs and lows for 2012-13.  What are some of yours? 

High – The NHL call ups.  All first-time call ups for a player are fun to watch, but there were a few this year that meant more than most.  Chris Terry scored a goal in his NHL debut (talk about Terryiffic!), Nicolas Blanchard finally got his shot after 403 games in the AHL and dropped the gloves in his debut, and blueline regulars from the past three seasons in Charlotte Brett Bellemore and Michal Jordan both got their first shot in Raleigh, and played well.  There’s a huge sense of pride in this Checkers fan when I got to see players I’d watched grow and mature in Charlotte playing with the big team in Raleigh, and making an NHL name for themselves.

Low – Cam Ward.  Okay, hear me out on this one. I love Mr. Ward. I have a great story about hanging out with him in the NASCAR garage at Martinsville a few years ago, so I know he’s a fun guy on and off the ice. But when he got hurt, so did the Checkers.  As if it wasn’t bad enough Charlotte lost Dan Ellis when the NHL season started, they took our OTHER goaltender too, when Justin Peters was called up.  Back in Charlote, the M&M&Ms did a great job for the remainder of the season in Charlotte, but what the Checkers really needed for a playoff run was a more veteran, experienced guy.  Any of the three, Rob Madore, John Muse, or Mike Murphy could have been that guy, but time was not on their side.  Murphy needed more time to get into game shape, Madore needed experience, and Muse had a broken hand.  So Cam Ward, you were one of my Checkers lows of the 2012-13 season.  Sorry, buddy.

High – Mike Murphy’s return to Charlotte.  It’s no secret, he was and will probably always be my favorite member of the Charlotte Checkers, of all time.  On and off the ice, Murphy is one of the most genuinely incredible people I’ve had the privilege to get to know, and when he was signed to a PTO this year, I think I had perma-grin for days. I never got to see him play in a game, but having him here and as a member of my team was enough.

High – Seeing Charlotte Checkers COO perform onstage with the North Carolina Dance Theater, a company that means a great deal to me, as I have worked on nearly every one of their productions for 11 of the past 13 years.  It meant a great deal to me to have the Checkers support an organization that is such a vital part of the arts in Charlotte.  And Tera was FIERCE onstage with Addul Manzano.

Low – The lockout.  Sure, it was great to have an all-star lineup in Charlotte night after night, but it also left a bad taste in my mouth at times.  Seeing NHLers throughout the American Leage play below where they should be and make some of the comments they did about the AHL just… well, it made me want to get violent, and I’m a pretty even tempered person most of the time!

High – The opportunity to interview Mike Commodore.  THE Mike Commodore, for Chasing Checkers.  Sure, he was playing for the enemy team at the time, but he’s a legend in the Hurricanes organization, and how could I not talk to him while he was in Charlotte?

 Low – Wilson’s departure from the Checkers.  Jon Wilson played a pivotal role in my love of attending Checkers games for many, many years.  He is a passionate hockey fan, and his love of the team, the sport and the fans was always apparent.  It’s unfortunate that he’s no longer with the organization, because there’s nobody better at what he does.

High – The Checker’s “You Can Play” pledge.  Straight from their mission statement, You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. Eliminating homophobia in sport is something that should be a foundational value of every person and organization, and I’m so glad that the Checkers provided their support of a powerful movement, and were the first professional team in North Carolina to join the cause.  Way to go, Checkers.  You made me proud when that pledge was shown on the video board at a playoff game.

The Charlotte Checkers: the real FIRST pro team in NC to support You Can Play

Posted on by
3

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on the Checkers season, and the highs and lows the team experienced over the course of eight months, and of all the wins, a game in Raleigh and the brief but awesome playoff run, the one thing that makes me most proud of the Charlotte Checkers is their allegiance with You Can Play.

On May 1, 2013, I woke up to a press release in my inbox at 6:55 a.m. that the Checkers had released an amazing video that featured fans, players and front office staff of the team supporting the movement, and encouraging Checkers fans to join You Can Play.

This morning, the News & Observer in Raleigh published a piece about the Hurricanes involvement in You Can Play, and the author claims that the Hurricanes are the first professional team in North Carolina to align themselves with the organization, and didn’t even mention the Checkers as being one of the AHL teams to produce a video (but he referred to the Rochester Americans and Toronto Marlies????)

 

The Hurricanes are the first professional team in North Carolina to support gay and lesbian inclusivity through You Can Play, a Denver-based nonprofit. The National Hockey League and NHL Players Association announced last month a joint partnership with You Can Play, with the motto “Hockey is for Everyone.”

But here’s the thing.  The Hurricanes were NOT first. The Checkers were.  The Hurricanes did release a 27 second video, but it was after the Checkers released their video before 7 a.m. on May 1, and the Hurricanes video does not come close to the quality that the Checkers staff put together.  Here’s a tweet from the Hurricanes Senior Director of Communications Mike Sundheim about the video.

So, I know it’s nitpicking, but it drives me crazy that the Hurricanes are getting positive press about being the “first” North Carolina pro team to support You Can Play, and they weren’t.  The Canes don’t even have a press release on their website, and the only mentions of the video are in twitter feeds after the Checkers sent out press releases on May 1.  The Checkers should be commended for being the first, and getting the positive press it affords, not the Hurricanes.

At the Checkers playoff game on May 3, I stood and applauded with thousands of other in the arena when the Checkers You Can Play montage was shown on the videoboard.  I didn’t care that it’s taboo to applaud in the “press box,” I felt this video deserved my support and so I cheered.  Loudly.

So to the Charlotte Checkers, I thank you.  I thank you for being the FIRST professional sports team in North Carolina to align yourselves with You Can Play.  I thank the athletes who took part in the video (Zac Dalpe, Rasmus Rissanen, Brett Sutter and Justin Krueger.)  I thank Tera Black and Michael Kahn for their support, I thank the fans (my friends!) who participated in the video, and the talented front office staff who created the video. North Carolina isn’t an easy state to live in when it comes equal rights for all people, gay, straight or otherwise, so it makes me incredibly proud that the Checkers took a step to do the right thing.

As always, Let’s Go Checkers!

The Checkers star in Charlotte, defeat Texas 4-3

Posted on by
Reply

Tonight’s game saw two Checkers take the ice with Charlotte for the first time.  Brendon Nash, older brother of Riley, was paired for most of the game with fellow defenseman Justin Krueger. He’s on loan from San Antonio for the remainder of the season.

Brock McGinn also played his first game as a Checker after practicing with the team for the past week following the conclusion of his OHL season with the Guelph Storm.  McGinn is a speedy forward who isn’t afraid to use his body and had no trouble finding himself down in front of the net a number of times.

“I thought he was great.  He didn’t play scared and he was out there. He can skate well and was out there on the forecheck and he likes to bang bodies,” commented Coach Jeff Daniels, “He was tenacious and I think he’s only 19 years old, and that’s a very big and very good team to jump in on his first game and he played very well.”

In recent weeks, the first period of play has been slow to get started, with very little offensive effort, but tonight  the first period proved to be a big one.  A big check by Captain Brett Sutter led to a turnover by Mike Commodore.  Matt Beca capitalized on it, and made the score 1-0.

Despite being outshot 20-7 in the second period, and two goals within the first two minutes, the Checkers were able to keep it together.  Stellar play by goaltender Rob Madore played a huge part in this. He made countless saves during a Stars play and kept the Checkers in the game through a period that was quite sluggish at times, and had a slightly offensive Checkers offense.

“To his credit, I thought he really bounced back,” said Daniels on the play of Rob Madore who faced 47 shots, “I mean,  we’re up 1-0, then down 2-1, and it could have been 3-1 or 4-1 without Rob making some big saves in the second period.”

A big third period saw Jeremy Welsh score to make the score 3-2, only to have Texas immediately tie it up.  With less than two minutes left in the game, Zach Boychuk, with a feed from Chris Terry and Bobby Raymond, ended up scoring the game winner on the power play.

Bobby Raymond had two points on the night (1g,1a) and also a number of key defensive plays that kept the Checkers in the game.

Tomorrow’s rematch against the Texas Stars is the final home game for the Checkers this season before the team takes the road for their final four games in Chicago, Peoria and Milwaukee.

 

Odds & Ends

  • If the playoffs started today, Charlotte would face the Houston Aeros.  Following the news that the Aeros are relocating to Iowa next season, it may be the last time Charlotte faces a team from Houston for awhile.
  • In Nicolas Blanchard’s first game with the Carolina Hurricanes, he had four hits and his first fighting major at the NHL level.
  • Be watching the Chasing Checkers Twitter feed and website tomorrow for a pretty special Q&A with a former Stanley Cup winner with the Carolina Hurricanes.

NCDT’s Nutcracker – The Bad Boy of Ballet Talks Checkers Hockey

Posted on by
Reply

Chasing Checkers – So Mr. Nutcrakcer.  You mind if I call you that? You’re kind of a celebrity in Charlotte.  You’re one of the many stars of North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Holiday production, right?

The Nutcracker – Actually, my friends call me Chuck.  And the ballet is named after me, so I’d say I’m one of the stars!

checkernut

NCDT’s Nutcracker enjoys an awesome Charlotte Checkers game (Photo – J.Propst)

CC – Hmm… I think I’ll stick with Nutcracker.  I hear you are a hockey fan.  Any team in particular?

The NC – Well, obviously as a Charlottean, I love the Checkers.  They are fierce! They skate fast, and occasionally do spinoramas much like the dancers in my show who can do pirouettes. 

CC – So do you have a favorite player on the team?

The NC – Nicolas Blanchard, obviously.  First of all, he speaks French, which is the language of ballet.  But mostly, I love that he drops the gloves and fights.  I love a good fight!

Go Checkers!

NCDT’s Nutcracker battles the Rat King (Photo – Peter Zay)

CC – You know, I’m a bit surprised with one so ingrained in the world of ballet condones violence and fighting…

The NC – OH, my shining moment in the ballet named after me is a fierce battle between myself and the Rat King.  I hate that stinking rat king and his minions of mice.  My toy soldiers overcome though.  I don’t want to spoil the ending for you, but I win the battle.  Every night!

CC – So, let me guess, when you come to a Checkers game, your favorite snack from the food stand is a bag of peanuts?

The NC – Actually, no.  I’m allergic.  But don’t let that get out… its hard to be a Nutcracker allergic to nuts! I carry an epi pen and try not to ingest them, and do alright.

CC – Wow.  I learned something new.  So, if you don’t eat peanuts at the game, what is your favorite snack?

The NC – Cotton Candy, obviously.  My homeland, you know, is the Land of Sweets.  It’s a lot like Canada, cold and snowy with delicious candy and ballet segments named after some of my favorites… Candy Canes, Marzipan, Tiramisu (which is not a flavor of soup, I get asked that a lot), and of course those tasty little Ginger candies.  I have been trying to get a ballet choreographed after my favorite Canadian candy, Coffee Crisp, but so far my request hasn’t been honored.

CC – So what element of a Checkers game would improve North Carolina Dance Theater’s production of the Nutcracker?

The NC – I really think a cameo by some of the Checkers during my battle with the Rat King would be outstanding.  Maybe some cross checking, a bit of fancy stickhandling.  It would be exciting!

CC – You work with professional dancers? What do you think of the Charlotte Checkmates?

The NC – I love them! They are nice, sparkly and enthusiastic.  I wish there were more pom poms in ballet.  The only thing I wish was that they’d wear tutus when they dance at the games.  It would be awesome!

CC – So, are there Zambonis in ballet?

The NC – Unfortunately, no.  There are however a talented crew of IATSE Stagehands who mop the stage and clean up all of the snow that falls from the magical fly loft during the first act. 

CC – It sounds like I should come and see your show though.  With Rat King battles, falling snow and girls in tutus.

The NC – I think it’s a pretty great event.  It’s not hockey, and you probably won’t see anyone get punched in the face and blood doesn’t bounce off the dance floor like it does ice, but it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours.  Check out the NCDT website for performance dates and tickets!

2012Nutcracker_CaroTix550x195

The one where the summer in Charlotte starts

Posted on by
2

As I sat on my patio tonight in the slowly setting sun, drinking a couple of glasses of homemade Sangria and listening to the Hamilton Bulldogs and Houston Aeros play, I wavered between jealousy and pure joy for the Bulldogs, the AHL team that until 2010, was my hands-down favorite.  As you may recall, the Bulldogs and Checkers were both facing a game four elimination last Wednesday.  The Bulldogs have now come from a 3-0 deficit to force a game seven, something every Checkers fan dreamed our team could have done.  Nigel Dawes scored a goal in double overtime, and now the Bulldogs only have to win one game to face Binghamton in the Calder Cup Finals.  How amazing would it have been if it was Brett Sutter, or Chris Terry, or Zach Boychuck who scored that double-OT game winner tonight?

I would have given anything to have our team get that chance, but alas, it didn’t work out that way.  I’m still incredibly proud of how far our team went, and how great it was for them to beat the odds by defeating not only the reigning Calder Cup Champions, but the team with the best regular-season record.  The Charlotte Checkers were groundbreaking in so many ways, from being the first AHL team in Charlotte, to breaking attendance records for hockey games in this fine city, and of course being the first affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes to make it past the second round of the playoffs.  We had national news coverage about the amazing things the Checkers were doing to help the Charlotte community, and families like that of Zac Bennett.

It’s going to be a long summer, I fear.  Those of us who follow the guys on twitter know that most of the team has left Charlotte for their own summer breaks, or will be leaving in the next day or so.  There’s already a void knowing they are gone, and won’t be back until September.  I looked at the cost of plane tickets to Traverse City, Michigan for the rookie tournament in September, so that’s on the radar for me, but it all depends on my finances, and work schedule, etc.  I heard a rumor I could end up working on a movie this summer, and that extra income could very well fund a trip to the middle-of-nowhere Michigan… so we’ll see!

As for the Summer and Chasing Checkers, don’t worry, I will certainly keep the blog updated.  I have lots of  ideas for stuff I want to write and ramble about, and of course I will continue to keep everyone updated on Canes signings, the NHL draft, and Hurricanes prospect camp in July, which I plan to attend.

Enjoy Charlotte!  This is an amazing city to be in.

Lets Go Checkers

The one where I wrap it all up

Posted on by
2

We’ve all grown during this inaugural season in Charlotte.  We’ve had the pleasure of watching rookies like 21-year-old Zac Dalpe become superstars who score 57 points (23G, 34A) during the regular season, all to have it end early to an injury in Eastern Conference Finals.  He came a long way this year, from his early days, fresh out of Ohio State, to the team leader we have today.

We also saw guys develop in ways other than typical, athletic ways.  I watched another rookie, Mike Murphy, grow from a young goaltender, into the man who led this brand new team deep into the playoffs.  Murphy has been my favorite since the day I met him, at the Season Tickets Holder party at the Xtreme Ice Center in September.  When I first spoke to him, I saw a guy who was kind, charismatic, and so mature for his young age.  The more I got to know him, the more impressed I became.  He’s always been humble, caring and one of the most stellar character guys I have ever met.  Murphy’s a young man who spent days off visiting hospitals filled with sick children, and making a huge difference in their lives, and the lives of their families.  I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with him over the course of the season, and to see his confidence grow on the ice, and his character multiply with each person he made a difference to.  And as that confidence grew, so did his play on the ice.  Seeing him develop has been a privilege.

I got to know a number of the front office staff, and even some of the interns who are all key elements to the organization.  I started a blog that helped fuel my passion for the sport, the team, and the organization.  I convinced some of my best friends to get season tickets, so they could share in the excitement each and every game.  I’ve made friends that I know will last well beyond this 2010-11 season, and  I am so lucky to have been a part of it, this inaugural Charlotte Checkers AHL season.

So losing tonight, it hurt a lot.  I shed some tears, and am still struggling with how to write about the game we all witnessed.  So I’m going to leave that to the media who get paid to cover the team, and instead focus on the emotions, and the passion we all have for our team.

I’ve been a sports fan my whole life, and my teams are quite diverse.  I have cheered for the Phoenix Suns for as long as I can remember, but have never seen them win a Championship.  I support the Carolina Hurricanes, but the farthest I’ve ever seen them make it (as a true fan of the team) was the Eastern Conference Finals when they were swept by Pittsburgh a few years ago.  And I was at one time, a fan of NASCAR, but the year “my” driver won, I was employed by a rival organization/team, and could hardly voice my excitement and be a part of that championship celebration.  Truth be told, I’d already turned in my “fan status” months previous, due to the daily grind of working in the sport, so my interest was minimal at best.

This playoff run, it’s the closest I’ve ever felt to a team, and the closest I’ve ever gotten to a victory.  We were so close, I could feel it.  I still believe we could have gone all the way and won that Calder Cup.  I know in my heart we had what it takes, but cards were stacked against us.  Injuries to key players, the wear and tear of the playoffs and defeating teams that on paper were much more dominant than we were.  It was a tough run, but an exciting one and one I’m proud to have witnessed.

I made it to almost every game in Charlotte this year.  I saw the jerseys when they were unveiled last June at an NHL draft party.  I was there on Monday and Tuesday nights, chanting and cheering and supporting my team with only a couple thousand people there.  I was there on the weekends, when over 14,000 people filled the stands.  I was there when we were losing, when we were winning, and I’m so glad I was there from the beginning.  I am so proud to have been a part of this fanbase, from day one in Charlotte.

So thank you, Charlotte Checkers.  Thank you to Mr. Michael Kahn, who had such a belief in the product the AHL could bring, for buying a team and bringing them to us in Charlotte.  Thank you to the office, from the top down, who got us involved.  Thank you to each and every player, who’s passion on and off the ice fueled our passion in the stands.  Thank you to hockey bloggers, and new media like twitter, who made following a team so much more fun and interactive.  And thank you, Checkers Fans, who made me so proud to be one of you.

This team is amazing.  I can’t wait to see you next year!

Lets Go Checkers

The one about final thoughts before game four

Posted on by
Reply

Today is a good day.  It started good, and it’s going to end even better.  I had to go to the DMV to get my license renewed, and was only there for 25 minutes.  Clearly, the gods are smiling on Charlotte, and I think all Checkers fans and players should get to share in the positive energy.
The game that begins in a little over two hours, is going to be a great game.  Our team is fighting for their lives, and I still have total and complete faith in them to pull through.

We’ve all heard the stats… only two AHL teams have overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series to win… those teams were the 1960 Amerks and the 1989 Red Wings.  Three NHL teams have accomplished the same feat, most recently the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, who went on to compete for the Stanley Cup.  The other two teams were the 1942 Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders.  I think it’s about time that the Charlotte Checkers have their name added to that list in 2011.

This team that didn’t exist a little over a year ago, they have dug themselves deep into the fabric of Charlotte, and buried themselves deep in my heart.  Over the course of 80 games during the regular season, I went from being a casual fan of the team, to believing so strongly in the team, the players, and the organization, that I will do anything in my power to support them, from my living room in front of my laptop and AHL live, to driving to places three states away.

So tonight, I’ll be cheering for my team, confident that I’ll be seeing them in person on Monday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.  These guys, who’s average age is only 23, they are the heart and soul of the team.  When I was 23, I was barely out of college, so unsure of what the future held, but our team has this level of passion, and energy and maturity that can’t be contained.  They’ve made me laugh, cry, scream.  I’ve had sleepless nights because of them, lost my voice on more than one occasion, shared dozens of beers with friends in celebration of them (and at times, sorrow as well).  I’ve met amazing people because of the Checkers.   They’ve made me smile, and they have made me so proud to be from Charlotte, and a season ticket holder of their inaugural season.  This team, I believe in them with every ounce of my being.  So tonight, tonight I’m going to cheer for them.  I’m going to lose my voice, and I’m going to be there for them for the 60 minutes (or more) it takes.

These Checkers… I believe in them.  I think the rest of you do, too.

Lets Go Checkers

The one about cheering from afar

Posted on by
Reply

So despite the fact that at times I feel like a pathetically obsessed fan of the Charlotte Checkers, right now, after missing games one and two of the Eastern conference finals, I feel like some kind of fair weather fan, despite the fact that could not be any further from the truth.  It absolutely killed me to be away from the games over the weekend, but as much as I love to support my team, I’ve known my brother for 30 years and couldn’t very well skip out on his graduation from seminary because of a team I have actually only known for a little over a year.

So now, my vacation is nearly over.  I’m sitting in a bar in Dubuque, IA drinking a pint of Goose Island 312 as I write this. ( it’s a fantastic microbrewery out of Chicago) and my writing thoughts keep getting interrupted by the Canucks/Sharks game that’s showing on one screen, and the NBA Eastern conference finals game on the other.  I love a good sports bar… To me, sports bars are these incredibly unifying places that create an opportunity for sharing between different people. In Iowa, a land of farming… both pigs and corn… I can talk hockey, and cheer for the Canucks with perfect strangers.  It’s a pretty amazing phenomenon!

I hope that one day, the Checkers can bring that same bond between myself and other fans.  It’s starting, more an more, and its a great feeling.  I’ve noticed that more and more in Charlotte, especially with the playoffs, wearing a Checkers tee shirt or jersey out in public, I find myself involved in more and more conversations with perfect strangers about the Checkers. Some are diehard fans like myself, and others are with casual fans who missed the fact our team rocks and is going strong in the post season. As an aside, I can’t even begin to count the number of people I’ve coerced into using tickets to post season games… because I educated them on how awesome the Checkers are these days!

I guess what I was trying to say when I sat down to write this (last night…. and it’s now morning and still unfinished…) is that no matter how close or how far away from Charlotte we are, we are all fans of the Checkers.  We are all linked by this great team and organization, even when work or family or whatever takes us away from them.  I’m glad I will be home for the rest of the series, but until then, GO CHECKERS!

P.S. Congrats to FINLAND… and our resident Fins in Oscar Osala and Rasmus Rissanen on their IIHF World Championship gold medal yesterday!

The one about being a fan of the best team in the AHL

Posted on by
1

I had quite the Checkers-filled day, which for a Tuesday in May, is pretty outstanding, if you ask me, since there are now only four teams in the AHL, and five in the NHL still competing for their respective championships!

I spent my morning at the Xtreme Ice Center watching practice, and while I tried to be diligent and take notes about who skated with who, what lines practiced together, and who was missing, etc, I can sum all of my thoughts in just a few sentences.  In the half a dozen or so practices I’ve taken in this season, and the equal number I’ve seen by NHL teams, I’ve never seen the kind of energy our guys put into it today.  I was seriously exhausted just watching them skate, and do their drills for 45 minutes.  Their energy was contagious, and I think I had a smile on my face when I left the rink that carried me on through tonight.  I have so much faith in this team… in MY team… and nothing but positive thoughts are going to be sent their way for the rest of the playoff run.  When I see the Charlotte Checkers, I can envision great things, and I know that all of them are possible.  (And I’m talking greater things than a championship in Charlotte… that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  What impresses me is this team’s ability to make a difference in OTHER ways, too!)

Tonight, I had the privilege of attending a Charlotte Checkers Playoff Rally and Viewing Party of ESPN’s new show, E:60, which had a feature on the Bennett family and their recent move to Charlotte.  I was impressed with the turnout, not only by the fans, but by the team.I decided it was a good opportunity to bring some non-Checkers fans to an event and show them a good time, and I think it worked well (except when friend number two asked when the playoffs started…. I’m still working on educating her…).  Guys like Mike Murphy and Chris Terry made a point of introducing themselves to my friend, which is just a small sign of the high level of character and professionalism this team has.

You see, I come from a professional sports background where obligated “appearances” by the athletes are extremely limited by their contracts.  So to have an event like the Checkers did, so late in the season, where almost every player attended on a completely VOLUNTEER basis, impressed me like crazy.  From my vantage point, almost every player showed up, including some of our black aces, like Mike McKenzie, and I even saw NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano hanging out!  Not only were these players in attendance, they were engaged and sociable as they circulated among the crowd, spoke with media, fans and season ticket holders.

When the night began, I immediately assumed that the last three players to leave would be Zack FitzGerald, Mike Murphy and Michal Jordan, because they are the three guys I’ve noticed who are most engaged with the fans in Charlotte.  While I wasn’t right on the money, I was close, because they certainly stayed for a long time until way later than most fans had left.   The two players who stuck around the longest impressed me the most.  Long after most families and such had left, Justin Pogge and Brad Herauf stayed, spending time with each of the Bennett children, playing ping-pong, and taking time to let each child how much they meant to their team.

It’s a night like tonight (or last night, as I watch the clock creep further into the morning) that make me so incredibly proud to be a Checkers fan.  This is a team that goes out of their way to support families like the Bennet’s, and does all they do in the Charlotte community,  and then plans a playoff rally/viewing party.  Many organizations may do something like this just for the PR stunt and good press it might obtain, but I firmly believe that there was no ulterior motive by the team.

I started this blog because I believe in this team, and in the organization.  I am so proud to be here in Charlotte, and SO PROUD of our team.  If Chasing Checkers has any impact at all on our larger Checkers community, I hope that it is to convey all of the amazing thing the organization does for Charlotte, and how lucky we are to have such a top-notch team.  As the season progresses (and thank goodness, continues well into the post season!) I find it harder and harder to separate myself from them.  I’m no longer just a season ticket holder watching games, I really and truly feel like I’m a part of it all, as all of the fans in Charlotte are.
So as if I haven’t been sappy enough (and for that, I apologize, honestly!), I will close with this.  I’m headed to Chicago on Thursday.  My baby brother is graduating from Seminary so that he can become a Pastor, and I’m spending the weekend with family and my best friend who I’ve known since the eighth grade.  We met in the Explorers club at the Charlotte Observer, where both of us thought we wanted to learn how to be journalists… I’d almost forgotten about that, but I desperately wanted to be a sports writer back then, and cover the NBA and the Phoenix Suns… here I am, 20 years later, and I’m a fan blogger for an AHL team.  I had no idea my dreams would come full circle as they have!  But anyway, my point is, I’m missing the first two games of the Eastern Finals.  And it pains me, a lot, but I also know, that even 800 miles away, I’ll still be at the game in spirit, cheering the Checkers on to another victory.  All of us that cheer for our team, we’re all a part of it, and I truly believe that the passion and support we have for our team will help carry them a long way.

Cheer extra loud for me this weekend, Charlotte.  I want to hear you all the way in Chicago!

Lets Go Checkers

The one about Lets Go Checkers, and rallying together

Posted on by
Reply

So, I was beginning to feel as neurotic as a goalie, freaking out about superstitions, to the point that for a hot second, I actually worried that by not drinking North Carolina beer prior to the game last night, I hurt my team’s chances.  (I know, there is NO WAY that North Carolina beer makes a difference, although it is good beer…. I’d had Craggie’s Antebellum Ale prior to games three and four, but none until AFTER the game yesterday).  Anyway.  So I’m changing my outlook, and starting fresh.  I am not wearing the same things I wore to the three games this week, though I will don my Chris Terry jersey before puck drop because it only seems right to cheer for my team wearing one of my favorite player’s name and number.

From here on out, it’s not about superstitions and rituals.  It’s about what feels right, and what makes me feel good, but first and foremost, what is the most positive, and exudes the most positive energy.  No voo-doo dolls, or goalie sucks chants (because, I’ve said it a million times, Brad Thiessen doesn’t suck, as much as I wish he did!!!!).  No taunting fans of the other team who are only being trolls and begging for attention.  Only positive feelings from here on out!

The bottom line is, I believe in my head and my heart that the Checkers are the better team.  I believe they have everything it takes to win.  Obviously, the Penguins are a strong team.  They have one of the best netminders in the league, and some great, NHL caliber guys on their roster.  It’s going to be a fight to the finish, and with every ounce of my being, I want the Checkers to come out victorious, and I believe they can and they will.

So tonight, I’m watching the game with some of my favorite people and fellow Checkers fans.  We’re going to cheer for our team, and applaud them until the final buzzer.  If our voices could carry 600 miles, I’m sure Mike Murphy would be able to hear us chanting his name all the way in Wilkes-Barre.

This team means the world to me… more than I dreamed they would when I bought my season tickets a little over a year ago, shortly after it was announced Charlotte was getting an AHL franchise.  I believe in the Charlotte Checkers, and I believe they are going to win tonight.

Lets Go Checkers