Fan Week: Utica's Own Green Man
May 12, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
If you attended a Utica Comets game this past season, then you have undoubtedly seen the man in green taunting opposing players in the penalty box, celebrating Comets goals and jumping around during warmups trying to get a rise out of the visitors. Spawned from the Vancouver Canuck's unofficial mascots, the "Green Men" (Sully and Force), Utica's own Green Man provides constant entertainment during each and every home game this season.
When asked how he decided to become the Green Man, he explained, "It was definitely inspiration from Vancouver. I had come in on the first day that season tickets went on sale. I was actually one of the first ones in the line. I came in and thought I would get a good but not great seat. I paid, cashed out and was on my way out the door when I realized that the Green Men come from Vancouver, our affiliate. I immediately wondered if those seats by the penalty box were still open. So I went back in and the seat was still there, so I changed my ticket."
The Green Man then said that he went home, grabbed all of the appropriate names on social media and started to plan out his year hidden in green.
"In one word, this season can be described as unbelievable," the Green Man, whose identity will forever remain a secret, said. "Everyone has been so nice, with the exception of the opposing players. The fans love the idea."
The Green Man's excitement was palpable as he expressed his excitement for next season and what the future looks like for the Comets.
For those who do not follow him around during the game, the Green Man typically starts down by the zamboni tunnel while the opposing team lines up for warmups.
"That's the most fun part of the game," he said. "That's the time when you can get a reaction out of the players. One guy from Adirondack didn't like what I had written on my sign one night, and smacked the board right out of my hands."
For the most part, he said that players respond well to his antics. He does, however, get the occasional player who has a temper, making it easy to slide under his skin.
"The other time I can remember where I really got a player annoyed was the last time Abbotsford came to town. It was during warmups, and I was on the other side near the Abbotsford bench. One of their players looked up and saw me, and just took his stick and swung it at the glass trying to get me to jump. I thought, 'I'm in his head now, let's hope he goes to the box.'"
After running around during warmups, the Green Man (and, occasionally a second Green Man), head to their seats right next to the visitor's penalty box to wait for a visitor to hook, trip or fight. When asked what the best reaction he got from the penalty box was, he described a visit from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
"This French guy was in the box. They usually tend to sit closer to the scorekeepers side, away from me. This guy slid on the bench closer to us, and kept saying something through the glass. It was hard to hear, but the other Green Man picked up that he was saying he'd give us 100 bucks if we dressed up like the Comettes and danced by the penalty box. We agreed, but he didn't play the next time they came to town, so we didn't wind up going through with it."
Being the Green Man game after game is not an easy task, and comes with its challenges. He explained that the suit is actually like a extra layer of skin, so while some may think he gets overheated, he said the suit has done the opposite and kept him warm during some of the colder games. The suit does, however, tint everything green, so he sometimes struggles to see the game and the names of players.
A native of Utica, the Green Man expressed his enthusiasm for next season and appreciation for all of the fan support he received. "I really just want to thank the fans...they've been beyond supportive, and I can't wait for what next season has to offer."
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