"Humps" to Skate with Alumni Squad
August 27, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
Topeka, KS, AUGUST 27, 2009: It's true that sometimes nice guys finish last. For Blake Humphrey, an unfortunate sequence of events cut a promising career short. While his plans for a hockey future may have been detoured, he'll have an opportunity on September 6 to come back to Topeka and compete on Expocentre ice.
The fifth Californian to be named to the Alumni roster, the 6'2" 215 lb. forward from Alta Loma chose hockey over baseball at a young age. "I used to watch the Red Wings play since I was about three years old. I told my parents that I did not want to play baseball anymore, and that I wanted to play ice hockey. They gave me the opportunity! I made the first Mite A team I tried out for, and the rest is history!"
He began his junior career in Helena, MT with the NAHL's Helena Bighorns, where he played with future RoadRunners Josh Kamrass and Tibor Kutalek. He posted 4 goals and 5 assists, the biggest goal coming as the game winner with 4:19 to play in the final game the Bighorns ever played in the NAHL. Essentially a free agent after the Bighorns withdrawal from the league, "Humps" elected to take his sizeable frame to the rough and tumble BCHL where he joined the Penticton Vees. It was there that he suffered a concussion that sidelined him temporarily. He was traded to another BCHL team, the Quisnel Millionaires. "I actually reported to Quisnel after I was traded from Penticton. I saw the quality of the team, the town, and the organization, and I was on my way to Santa Fe within two days." By heading to Santa Fe, he knew he would rejoin Kamrass and Kutalek. "Joining Kams and Tibor again was an unreal feeling. Besides the fact that the two were a couple of the best players in the league, they are also great people and great friends. I was blessed to come to a team where I had a couple of teammates that were like brothers. Kams and I are still close, and Tibor's off playing pro in Slovakia." Blake played in three games before a seemingly innocent check in a home game against Fairbanks delivered another concussion, effectively ending his season. He sought medical advice from NHL trainers and medical personnel as he fought hard to get back to the game he loves so much.
The summer of 2007, a driven and motivated Humphrey put on 15 pounds of pure muscle and reported to Topeka with a clean bill of health and ready to play some hockey, as evidenced by a strong training camp and a hat trick in a 6-3 win at So. Minnesota in a preseason game. He had put up 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games heading into a two-game set at Wichita Falls when fate turned ugly once again. In a vicious battle with the Wildcats Adam Cardwell in which Cardwell drew a Game DQ major for jumping him, Humphrey sustained yet another concussion. Humphrey reflected back on that fateful day. "I remember everything about the incident with Adam Cardwell. It was an unfortunate situation for me. My career ended, he received a two game suspension. But hey, that is the history of sports."Â It wasn't diagnosed immediately, in fact he came back in to assist on the 'Runners only goal of the game. The following night, he dressed but basically was there to serve penalties if need be and nothing else. It was the last time he wore a RoadRunner uniform. It was quite a loss for the team. "Humps was a gamer, he loved to play in the areas of the ice that a lot of players don't like to go to", said head coach Scott Langer. "He understood that sacrifice and team were much more important than the individual."
Humphrey wasn't done. He battled hard and tried to make a post holiday break return, but the doctors would not give him clearance. Too many concussions in too short a time. So he found other ways to contribute. He helped with drills in practice. He stood on the bench with the coaches on Game Nights. He became the team's equipment manager, sharpened skates and even sold advertising as well. He embraced the organization in all its facets, and was driven to find a way to remain involved as more than a spectator.
Humphrey now skates in a men's league in California and takes classes at a local community college. "My plans for the future are pretty simple. I will continue to play the game, as I do now, along with finishing up my education. I plan to transfer to USC within the next year, and then open up my own Public Relations firm. If we have another Alumni game in 10 years, I can tell you if it all worked out." He will proudly wear his #25 once again in Landon Arena, and for at least one night, his dream of playing in Topeka again will come true. "This opportunity means so much to me. The fans of Topeka were always great to me, even after my injury. Topeka is an awesome hockey town, and I know we all plan to give them the best game we possibly can."Â
For the latest information on the Alumni Game and all things RoadRunner, please visit our newly redesigned website at www.topekaroadrunners.com .
North American Hockey League Stories from August 27, 2009
- "Humps" to Skate with Alumni Squad - Topeka Pilots
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