Hockey 101 Ladies Night at the NYTEX Sports Centre with the Texas Brahmas
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, the Texas Brahmas hosted their annual “Ladies Hockey 101” and I was invited! Was that a safe decision for the Brahmas to allow a hockey fanatic like myself into their midst? Probably not, but they plied me with drinks and food, so how could I refuse?
Last year the Brahmas hosted about fifty attendees, all ladies, who knew little to nothing about hockey. This year about twice as many attended and we all had a great time.
The players and coaching staff waited on the ladies, serving the meals and fetching drinks. The head coach, Dan Wildfong, introduced the players to thunderous applause and not too shabby hoots.
Everyone got involved in games to win Brahmas prizes. We guessed hockey questions, stood on a tablecloth as a group and had to turn it over (I never figured that one out), and had drawings for hockey sticks and autographed glossies. (I never won either, though I was slathering over a team signed hockey stick.)
Food and drinks were provided by ZuRoma Bar & Grill with several versions of pasta and sauce and salad and plenty of wine, beer, and drinks to go around.
After the games, (my team didn't win) we all filed onto the ice where the ladies sat in foldout chairs on carpet while the coach and players demonstrated techniques of the game. This was my favorite part, because we got to ask questions. Although I know a bit about hockey, I was amazed to learn something new. For instance, I could never understand why sometimes, a ref waved icing the puck. It’s called off, for instance, if the goalie handles the puck, even after it bounces back from the boards.
One of the more popular demonstrations were the two guys at each end of the audience stripped down to their skivvies. From their equipment bags beside them, volunteers were asked to help the player don each piece of gear. This really helped the ladies understand how much work goes into suiting up for a game. It’s much more than just lacing up a pair of skates.
Then we had goalie net races. Two ladies climbed on the back of the nets and the players had to push the net across the ice, the first one to the end won. I don’t remember who won, but it was fun to watch.
I discovered that the Central Hockey League (CHL) is quite different from the NHL. For instance-like the NHL, redundant injuries put players on injured reserve (IR), but CHL players get a mandatory 14 day IR, or a 30 day IR, depending on the injury. CHL players have weekly contracts as opposed to their NHL brehtren with yearly or multi-year contracts. Of course, the $$$ are quite different as well.
Then, we toured the locker room. In spite of the noise and closeness with a gaggle of women and a hockey team trying to cram into the locker room, it was an eye-opening experience. I had never realized how small locker rooms really were. I felt as if I were stepping into sacred hockey domain. This is where they suited up, wrapped injured ankles, and perhaps prayed before a game.
Certainly, almost every player has some superstitious ritual, whether it’s for luck or mental preparedness. Some cross themselves, some pray, some might wear women’s underwear . . . no, that was in a baseball movie.
Grant Jacobsen’s ritual was to be last—the last on the ice, last to a meeting, last to leave the ice. Some players, Coach said, tape their stick a certain way, or write on their stick.
After a movie about the Texas Brahmas, we got to step outside to view their bus. Coach Wildfong said this bus was new, but their old bus was terrible, breaking down often. Someday, they hope to be able to paint the bus with the Texas Brahmas logo.
As everyone milled around to chat with the players, I caught coach Wildfong in his office and asked how long he’d been with the Texas Brahmas. The Clinton, Ontario, native said 2009 was his second year as coach, leading the Brahmas to the CHL title over the Colorado Eagles. He played eight years of professional hockey, six with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, recording 152 goals, 207 assists, 359 points, and is 2nd in the league with a combined 1,970 career penalty minutes. He is Bossier-Shreveport’s all-time leading scorer and was Captain of the Mudbugs for two seasons. Wildfong was selected “best leader’ the last three seasons and named twice as a finalist for the CHL MVP. He contributed to the playoffs in 5 CHL seasons recording 18 goals, 22 assists, 40 points and 228 penalty minutes for the Mudbugs.
Coach said his biggest challenge is how to keep the players motivated and buying into the system and still make the game interesting and fun.
The Texas Brahmas play their home games in the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills.
The Brahmas 2009-10 regular season concludes with a bang this Saturday evening with a myriad of events at the NYTEX Sports Centre all on "Fan Appreciation Night" against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Fans in attendance will have opportunities to win great prizes throughout the game.
Prior to faceoff fans are invited to a crawfish boil from 4:45- 6:45 PM outside on the main concourse at the NYTEX Sports Centre. ZuRoma is charging just $7.99 per plate/pound of crawfish or $14.99 for all you can eat; plate includes crawfish, shrimp, potatoes and corn on the cob. The Cody Gill band will be setting the ambiance for the night as they play before and during the game.
Following the game, the team will host a game worn jersey auction with the Brahmas’ grey sweaters. Brahmas players will take the jersey straight off their back for the highest bidder.
For information please contact the Brahmas offices at (817) 336-4423. With the fourth seed clinched in the South, the Brahmas look to have their first playoff game Wednesday, March 24; check www.brahmas.com for an upcoming announcement for the full Playoff schedule and ticket information.
For a fun family night out, check out Texas Brahmas Hockey.
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