Higgins Hits 500 Games
March 23, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - It began as a young, local kid having some fun working with the team he grew up cheering for and has since developed into the longest tenured Nailer hitting a remarkable milestone.
Equipment Manager Billy Higgins worked his 500th game in his 10 seasons with the Wheeling Nailers in the March 21st game vs. Toledo and received a fine ovation from the WesBanco Arena crowd when his milestone was announced. Congratulations Billy! It's an amazing accomplishment. That's a lot of skates to sharpen and sticks and pucks and uniforms to get ready.
The 28 year old Higgins graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 1999 and acquired a position as one of the team's stickboys. He went from being a little kid who cheered for the Wheeling Thunderbirds in the stands since their first season in 1992 to actually working for the team and that alone was a dream come true.
After three seasons as a stickboy though he became the team's full-time equipment manager.
Nailers Presidents Rob and Jim Brooks took a chance on a young local kid who really didn't have any professional experience and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. "We knew Billy didn't come in with a lot of experience, but he really had passion for the game, the team, and most importantly the community," Nailers President Jim Brooks said. "We are proud of Billy and his dedication to this organization and to the entire community," Brooks continued.
"I've been coming to games since the very first year they were in town. So that's pretty cool, to go from a little kid in the stands watching these guys to working for the team and actually being out on the bench," Higgins said.
Higgins also got involved in playing hockey as a kid due to the Thunderbirds and Nailers influence in the area. After playing goalie in high school he became good enough to serve as the team's Emergency Backup Goalie when the need would arise due to injuries or call-ups. It is estimated that he has suited up over 80 times with the Nailers which is also believed to be the most games in ECHL history as an EBG. And although he has never been used in game-action (EBG's can only enter the game if the starting goalie takes an injury) it is still a thrill for him every time he gets to be on the bench in uniform.
"The times when I get to dress as the back-up goalie, actually being in uniform, it's unbelievable. It means a lot to me to do all this in my hometown. I've had offers elsewhere but I've got a really good thing going here."
Higgins shares his loyalty to the community and growth of amateur hockey in the area by frequently donating his time and energy to local youth hockey teams. His efforts at Wheeling Park are well known and he takes great pride in representing the Nailers and contributing to the WAHA program (Wheeling Amateur Hockey Association).
And when there's a young fan in the area who is interested in getting experience behind the scenes as a stickboy it is Higgins who is now the one helping the youngsters learn the ropes.
"This is a great story, because its one about a local kid defying the odds and becoming a vital part of the team he grew up rooting for," Jim Brooks praised. "How did he do it? Through hard work, determination, and by always looking for ways to do his job better and how to help the organization."
Higgins extended his gratitude to the organization just for giving him the initial chance and then for staying with him through the years. "I'd like to thank Jim and Rob Brooks for giving me this opportunity as well as Pat Bingham, the first head coach I worked for, for believing in me that I could do this." Higgins continued, "It's an honor to reach 500 professional games and I look forward to many more."
This is all part of the team's overall philosophy of community involvement.
"Obviously, we always look to hire the best candidates for any jobs, but for Rob and I, we always hope to find that hire locally," explained Jim Brooks. "When the local hire turns out as successfully as Billy and Craig (Bommer) have, it really helps to confirm our decisions to look seriously at local candidates. We hope all companies look locally to hire, no matter where they are located, it's another way we as businesses can positively impact our communities."
It's a great story that dates all the way back to a young kid who was just becoming a big fan of the area's newest professional team and sport. Nobody would have guessed at the time that the very same young fan would be on the bench with that same team for 500 games including over 80 of those games in uniform.
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