Hello from upstate New York! I stopped by the Glens Falls Civic Center yesterday to pay the balance on my season tickets and I can tell you the orange and black is fresh on the walls! The Phantoms locker room was being painted and the team offices are done. A lot of people in this neck of the woods are excited to have the AHL back!
I will be reporting at least once a week on what is going on here in Glens Falls (Adirondack). It might even be twice a week, if I get a student teacher during the season! I will also contribute when someone gets a call-up or if a trade is made during the season that involves someone at this level. I realize that some of you that read this already know the Phantoms better than I do at this time. Give me a few weeks into camp and I’ll get up to speed.
As happy as I am to have AHL back in Glens Falls, I also feel for Phantom fans in Philadelphia. In 1999, we lost the Adirondack Red Wings to a barn that was to be built. Does this sound familiar? The Wings never made it to Ohio, and later sold the AHL franchise. I can tell you the Flyers prospects are going to be in a very good place. This community supports its team and its players like few do. Many former A-Wings still live in the area or make this area their summer home.
I started loving hockey in 1979, the first year the Red Wings were in town. My parents had season tickets for all 20 years the A-Wings were in Glens Falls. I spent many a night on my father’s lap watching the Wings play. As I got older I split games with my folks, basically one of them would stay home so I could go. I was only two years old when the Wings came to Glens Falls, but still remember their first Calder Cup in 1980-1981. I still remember them skating around the rink with the cup and kicking balloons around the ice. Now I get to bring my young son to games! I guess things have gone full circle for me. As a teacher this line is huge: I am looking forward to September and October 3rd, our opening night.
As the summer goes on I’ll check-in with some Phantom updates and I’ll give you a feel for Glens Falls. Just a little bit about the area itself and the great hockey tradition it had in the 80s and 90s. I also encourage you all to make a trip up and check out a game. The Glens Falls Civic Center is a great old barn and there is not a bad seat in the house.
