Gather `round kids (I can say that, I'm 43), here's a fun little hockey
story:
It's funny how some hockey players names just stick in your memory bank
forever, but in-laws, neighbors and co-workers names can vanish into
thin air - almost immediately after hearing them. One former Sabre had
one of those names that stuck like glue: Bob Halkidis. It helped that I
moved to Los Angeles the same year he was traded to the Kings, where I
had the pleasure of attending dozens of games. LA is also blessed with a
great television broadcast duo in Bob Miller and Jim Fox, which made
following the team on TV a pleasure...not to mention the fact that some
guy named Wayne was recently added to the roster.
Players come and go, and so do jobs. After 10 years of working in the
Hollywood Entertainment Industry (creating movie posters) my wife and I
decided to move back to the east coast to be closer to our families. I
started my own graphics business, and quickly became absorbed in my
work. The business consumed my life, and left little time for much else.
Fortunately, a group of local investors built a brand new
state-of-the-art 3 rink facility 5 minutes from my house. Nothing
could've been more inspirational to get me back to some physical
activity - something I sorely craved since last playing ice hockey in
1982.
I dug out my old pair of CCM Super Tacks, a Gilbert Perreault custom
jersey, and hit the ice. 2 laps into a public skate session I noticed
this guy on the ice training a 6 yr. old as if he was trying out for The
Russian Red Army team. He was absolutely incredible - by FAR the best
ice skater I had ever been on the ice with, the 6 yr. old wasn't too bad
either! The next lap I passed him I blurted out "Wow, you're a
machine!", he replied "Nice jersey! Hi, my name's Bob - Bob Halkidis". I
instantly recalled exactly who he was. We started to see a lot of each
other at the rink, he was the Hockey Director there and I was obsessed
with ice time. Hours of hockey talk (mostly Perreault, other alumni and
life in the NHL) ensued...we became pretty good chums.
My passion refueled, fortune came my way in the form of a substantial
freelance art job. It allowed me to go out and buy some new goalie gear
and try to redeem the errors of my youth. Bad knees forced me into
hanging up the pads during my junior year of high school. After 25+ out
of the crease, it was time to see if the old body could handle the grind
of pick-up hockey. It seemed Bob was enjoying my comeback bid almost as
much as I was - and he would occasionally come out and blast some shots
at me. On 2 of those occasions, I set up my camcorder and filmed the
events:
http://www.totalitypro.com/sns.html
Words cannot describe the thrill of being on the ice with a former
NHl'er/Sabre - much less trying to defend him. The level of skill is
unimaginable. Yes, he's playing down to my level in the clips - but when
the camera's not rolling he has no mercy. My life has honestly
dramatically changed, thanks to a new local rink, and a guy with an
unforgettable name.
--
.....Borzz
www.totalitypro.com
|
