Hockeybird.com: Pack Tips

Tough guy Craig Weller dancing a jig while singing the Lucky Charms theme song.

A smirking Bryce Lampman demonstrating that he doesn’t wear boxers, or anything else for that matter.

The kids are alive and well in Hartford, much in contrast to their older brethren in New York. Alive, well, and groveling for tips at the Wolf*Pack’s fundraiser for the Gaylord Hospital, that is.

It’s the kind of sports charity event that you are all familiar with – players act as waiters and bartenders for the evening, while competing to raise the most tips both from their service and from silly stunts throughout the evening. When I arrived, someone was singing “O, Canada!” in French. Not that bad. Not that good, either, but that wasn’t really the point. It was definitely better than watching the Ranger game that was playing on several of the screens around the room.

My friends and I had a very charming Craig Weller as our waiter for the evening, and he was enthusiastically whoring for tips. He chatted everyone up, making prolonged eye contact with each of us while leaning in close over the booth, and gushed over the little girl who was sitting with us. Craig told her she had a pretty smile, complimented her dress, and called her a princess. He did everything he could to make her happy, trying frantically to find something that a 5 year old would like to drink when the bar turned out to lack apple juice. Grapefruit juice, even in a sippy cup, didn’t work so well. Craig continued to hover, trying to find something that would please her.

Damn, what do I have to do to get this kind of treatment? Apparently more than a short skirt, low cut sweater and knee high boots, that’s for sure. Next time perhaps I’ll try pigtails and a long dress with a big bow in the back. Should I bring a stuffed animal as well?

As we pondered whether Craig’s biological clock was ticking loudly (if so, there were a number of fertile young woman who would like to audition for the part) or this was simply another (highly effective) method of charming us out of our “puck bucks”, we started pestering players to sign a poster one of us had brought. A friend of a friend is very sick in the hospital, and the idea was the get the guys to sign the poster as an inspirational gift to him. With poster and adorable five year old in tow, we started to work the room. In no particular order, here is what we observed.

Bobby Andrews stood behind the bar and glared the entire night. Arms folded, he scowlingly watched the game (not sure where it was the Rangers or one of the tapes of Pack games he had on), while rather effectively scaring off anyone who might join him at the bar. Yikes. Is this guy EVER in a good mood?

Jason Macdonald either hid very well for most of the night or made his grand entrance about two hours late. He hung out by the bar, never took his jacket off, and left about when I did.

Bryce Lampman was roaming around, but I really didn’t notice him until we all wandered in to see what was going on when it was announced that a player was going to show off his boxers. Kenny Gernander, who was at the bar doing all the work while Bobby sulked on the other side, eventually was convinced to show his (although I heard that consisted of pulling down a waistband of his jeans). While they were trying to find a player to top this, a staff member collared Bryce, who was happy to demonstrate to the curious that he doesn’t wear underwear at all. I have a student who has had a crush on Bryce all year - as much as she would like to hear this story, I don't think I'm going to be able to tell her.

Phil, for whatever reason, didn’t have his own shirt. He wore a blank one that someone had labeled with sharpie as Osaer 29. Guess that says something about just how diminished his role is with Jason LaBarbera on fire. Later, while wearing Cory Larose's shirt, Phil was standing on a bar stool and drinking a “Bottoms Up Bobby”, concocted by Andrews. A rocks glass filled to the brim with a mixture of Jim, Jack and Jose (as Phil found out after he drank it) was downed, and that was the last I saw of Phil. Not sure how many “puck bucks” this earned him, but I hope it was enough to make up for how he’s sure to feel tomorrow.

Jason, it was great to see, is absolutely glowing with confidence. When I’ve seen him off the ice in the past he’s been shy and almost hang dog – his record setting play this season and continual accolades in the press, along with the adoration of the Hartford fans, seems to have boosted him to a new level. Nice, because he’s such a great kid, but also a good sign for the Pack as we push toward the post season, now in first place in the Eastern Conference.

Jayme Filipowicz (who inexplicably was wearing Fedor’s shirt) looked to be having a great time, laughing and visiting with staff and guests. Jamie Pushor also was charming, cheerfully chatting with fans while making the rounds.

Chad Wiseman was a major star of the evening, giving autographs while permanently surrounded by admirers. Later on, though, he drank a concoction of Kenny’s in order to earn some tips, and while I have no idea what was in it, I feel sorry for the guy. It looked pretty vile.

Garth Murray was there, with two black eyes. I believe he was on the injured list this past week, although I am not sure whether or not that was due to his eyes or something else.

Juris Stals’s English skills seem to be just fine – as I watched him play bubble hockey with a young lady, she begged him to go easy on her. With a sly grin, he purred, “Give me a good reason why I should….” I took my five year old companion and left before things got R rated.

Matt Kinch was there, but unsurprisingly was just as invisible as he is on the ice. Does this guy have superpowers we don’t know about?

Lawrence Nycholat, who was skittish and hard to track down, was eventually cornered by the bar, clutching a beer bottle for protection. He signed the poster and bolted before I could ask him why he was on the IR this week. A friend, looking for him later to give him a tip, was unable to find him.

Layne Ulmer sat at the corner of the bar. Either he’s sick or he occupied himself with adult beverages all night, because he looked even blurrier than normal. Brandon Cullen sat with him. Apparently Brandon won two fights in the last game (I was away on vacation), and one of my friends tipped him generously for them, to his apparently confusion.

John Jakopin, along with Phil Osaer and a few other guys, distinguished himself by getting into an extended conversation with my friend about her poster. After she explained what she was doing, John, looking deeply concerned, asked her about her sick friend, listened closely, and conveyed the thoughts and prayers of the team for him and his family. Classy stuff from a classy guy.

Benoit Dusablon and Dominic Moore were so good at their waiter shtick that I am wondering whether they have food service experience we don't know about. Benoit was SO dedicated that when I left, hours later, he was still chatting with guests at their tables – this after spending the evening happily posing for pictures and sitting with fans for long periods of time. Out of all the guys there, Benny looked the most like he actually was comfortable with the fans – like he was actually enjoying their company.

As I said, Craig, besides solicitously waiting our table (and being remarkably forthcoming when I asked him why he hasn’t been fighting as of late), stripped to the waist (not sure why, I was on the other side of the room), and later danced and sang the lucky charms theme. I’ve never seen this man smile on the ice, but he didn’t stop all night.

Next week is Skate with the Team. Send in your questions, because I get to pester the players in person once again and I will attempt to get them answered for you (while trying not to injure myself or any of the players on the ice, but I’ll do my best).

If no one laughed while reading this, they either need their brains checked for trauma or I've had my nose in the books for too long. It sounded like fun. Hope you enjoyed yourself and hope the bud gets better.

Posted by: ortsfan2002 on February 24, 2004 05:39 AM

Pictures Heather? Or do we have to wait for Skate With The Team for that?

Sounds like a blast, and a breath of fresh air for those of us choking on the fetid stench of the Rangers play.

P.S. -- Thanks for Fedor ;)

Posted by: Rightbug on February 24, 2004 09:24 AM

Heather,

Sounds like a fun evening. Nice to here that AHL players like to interact with their fan base. It's probably easy for them to be friendly because they are on a winning team and not embarrassed to look their fans in the eye.

Bet the Rangers Casino night is going to be a real tension convention. How could anyone interact socially with a bunch of guys that quit on their fans and themselves.

Posted by: mhurley on February 24, 2004 08:51 PM

Heather,

Ask the players if they really want to play for the Rangers or at this point they are just auditioning for other NHL teams?

Ian

Posted by: Ian B. on February 25, 2004 08:59 AM

bobby was in a good mood with us! we were sitting at the bar and he chatted for a while. he's cool man don't diss the bobster

ps- this whole night rocked.

Posted by: kate on February 25, 2004 09:39 PM

i went to the sitting at 5. we got a nice show of phil osaer singing 'i'm a little teapot' with the little hand motions that go along with it, all while standing on the bar. and when we approached benoit, he sang a little britney spears for us, which was quite hilarious with his accent.

brandon cullen was our waiter, and he was really sweet, and said he would do anything except sing. so i asked him to record my voicemail message on my phone, which he did, and now i call myself about 15 times a day just to hear it. we were all sweetly suprised to see ken gernander walking around with no shirt on. i never expected to see an almost six pack.

but the highlite was chad wiseman telling us about his canadian flag and hockey stick tattoo on his upper leg. we told him we would tip as much as possible to see it, but alas he thought other people might not appreciate him dropping his pants.

Posted by: Jenn on February 25, 2004 10:31 PM

Sounds like a great time Heather. Figures they come up with this fun stuff AFTER i move 1000 miles away! Have a great time at the skate, find out where Boyd Kane is! Just dont ask Burke Henry, he might cry! HAHAHA
Anyway I'll see if i can come up with any questions before you hit the ice! Make sure to let Jason know Adam's been asking about him...That kid saw something special in Jason years ago!! Take lots of pictures and please dont drag Kenny down this year!! ;-)

Posted by: Jaime on February 25, 2004 11:49 PM

On February 23, 2004, I attended the event for Gaylord Hospital arranged by the Hartford Wolf Pack at “Coaches” Restaurant in Hartford. The Wolf Pack players were “waiters” to a very happy crowd of fans. During this event, I approached players and asked them to sign a poster for a family friend‘s ill child. The child, Jeff, is seventeen years old and in a nearly vegetative state after going to a high school party and overdosing on several controlled substances. Jeff cannot walk or talk and has severe cognitive impairment. After a lengthy stay in the hospital, he is now in a nursing home in Connecticut, where he is receiving rehabilitation and making minimal progress. Sadly, this one mistake will most likely cost Jeff his life, or at least the life he once had. Jeff is from a very loving, wonderful family, and it was a shock to all who know the family to hear of this tragedy.

As I brought the poster around to the players, most just signed their names without a second glance. However, five players asked about Jeff and said they hoped for the best for this young man. These five players who went above and beyond a traditional autograph session asked of Jeff’s condition and showed genuine concern for his well-being. Their kindness really touched me. Jamie Pushor and Matt Kinch both voiced their concern and wrote a personalized message on the poster for Jeff. Ken Gernander asked about Jeff’s condition and said he hoped for the best. When asked to sign the poster, a genuinely concerned Phil Osaer not only asked about Jeff’s condition, but said, “tell him the team is rooting for him.” Of all the players who showed concern, John Jakopin went above and beyond any expectation of kindness. He asked about Jeff’s condition and was genuinely interested in the young man’s health. Mr. Jakopin’s attitude and responses were sincere and heartfelt. We had a very nice conversation, which ended with Mr. Jakopin saying, “My prayers are with Jeff and his family.” Mr. Jakopin took considerable time out of his night to show his concern for a young man he has never met. I am truly touched and deeply moved by Mr. Jakopin’s sincerity and concern.

I want to tell the Wolf Pack organization what a valuable asset Mr. Jakopin is to Hartford, not only as a player, but also as a human being. I am deeply touched by the kindness, sincerity and genuine concern John Jakopin demonstrated regarding Jeff’s serious condition. Mr. Jakopin really impressed me by taking time out of a fun, chaotic evening to show concern for a very serious situation. Not many professional athletes would have done the same. People tend to admire or idolize professional athletes, and John Jakopin is one worthy of such admiration. Words cannot explain my gratitude. I am sure Jeff’s family will appreciate Mr. Jakopin’s kindness as well.

Posted by: Sarah Barnes on February 26, 2004 09:00 AM