By Mark “Peaches” Brennan

So, this past year I had the pleasure of going to the annual PHATS/SPHEM convention in Orlando. It was a quick 48-hour turnaround. My goodness, how things have changed from 1986 to now.

As we enter our 55th year as professional societies, maybe it would be a good time to reflect on how we have changed—just in the time that I’ve been involved in hockey in some capacity over some 45 years, give or take.

What is still true and without excuse: we all do what we do because of our love for the game and the professionalism we all bring to our jobs. It’s always been said that you must buy into it. “It’s a lifestyle, not a job.”

With that being said…

THE GOLDEN YEARS?

• SPHEM did not exist until 1996.
• White jerseys at home (only one set of home and road for the entire season).
• We were in the “Chuck Norris Division” (Detroit, Toronto, Chicago, St. Louis, and Minnesota).
• We had one trainer, one equipment manager, and a third guy on the training staff.
• There was an “off” in offseason.
• Players came to camp to start getting in shape by Christmas.
• All-Star break was three days, and Christmas break was two.
• We had our own hotel rooms on the road.
• There was one head coach and one assistant coach.
• Video was what we saw when we looked up at the big screen—if an arena had one.
• I worked in four of the Original Six buildings (Maple Leaf Gardens, Montreal Forum, Chicago Stadium, and Boston Garden). Honorable mention: Checkerdome, St. Louis, and the Colisée, Quebec (especially for the hot dogs).
• There was no board or ice advertising.
• No flip-flops or blenders.
• Morning skates were done wearing game jerseys on the road.
• Everything fit into one standard stretch van (Big Brad or Big Tony).
• All sticks were wood, and players curved their sticks with propane torches.
• Tape had a name—there was either Gordie Howe or Mark Howe.
• Sticks were $228.00 per dozen (Sherwood 5030 Featherlight).
• If a player wanted to change blades, they changed the whole skate.
• Stoned out nicks on the bench.
• Usually went through maybe two pairs of gloves in a season.
• Maybe two pairs of skates.
• Skates were ~$275.00 per pair, with an additional $50.00 for a custom fit.
• Blades were all carbon steel with replaceable white tips (had to be repaired during a game if a player wanted to continue playing—this was in the NHL Rule Book).
• No cell phones or travel secretary (we handled the paper tickets and flew commercial).
• We handled all the ticket requests on the road for the team.
• Some players didn’t wear helmets.
• Referees had names on their jerseys. We could yell at them, and they could yell at us.
• Players put gauze rolls in their shin pads for added protection.
• “Gunk” was a gray sludge that seemed to grow in certain pieces of equipment.
• SB95 and EK46 were standard (look that up).
• Fluid replacement in the room between periods was known as 12, 12, 12 (12 water, 12 Coke, and 12 Gatorade). No “Sport Cola,” unless you played Edmonton.
• Had 12 bottles on the bench for the players and white sweat towels.
• Stick boys, if they did a good job, made $50.00 per game.
• We usually only carried three extra players on the road.
• “Optional” practice was still a bad word.

I’m sure there are more that I just cannot remember at this time. If you want to add, please feel free to do so. As always, safe travels and best of luck down the stretch. See you all in Orlando—and cheers to all.

Best always,
Mark “Peaches” Brennan
PHATS/SPHEM HHOF 2010