Meet MAINEiacs Equipment Manager, Matt Flaherty

March 15, 2011 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


You are a local person that was born in Portland and lives in Lewiston. How grateful are you to have such strong hockey teams in this state, allowing you to essentially work in your backyard'

Maine is a great state, and I am very grateful to be working here. I grew up here, and have lived in Portland for my whole life, with the exception of the past four and a half years. While working in pro sports, you don't really have the opportunity to do your job where you grew up, so for me to be able to live at home and do what I love to do is pretty amazing. I know that some day, I won't have that opportunity if I want to move up to the next level, but to be able to learn this job in a state I love - I am very grateful.

There are a lot of different avenues that one can take in sports. What caught your eye about being an equipment manager'

I grew up playing hockey, and since I was a little kid, I've always had my eye on being a police officer. When I first got the opportunity to start working in hockey, I didn't know what to expect, or even if I would like it. Pro sports is not an easy field to get into, as you need to know the right people. I was lucky enough to know someone who was working in pro hockey, and he gave me the chance to work with the Portland Pirates. Right away, I became hooked, and wanted to learn as much as I could, that way someday I would be able to do what he did with my own team.

You've had a chance to work with athletic therapists and equipment managers who have made it to the professional ranks, such as Brock Myles (Washington Capitals) and Tom Bourdon (Springfield Falcons). How valuable was it for you to work under them, and was there something they taught you that sticks in your head today'

Brock Myles and Tom Bourdon are two great guys that taught me a lot, but the most important thing I learned was to stay organized, because in this business, if you aren't organized, you aren't going to make it far. Brock and Tom are the two most organized people that I have ever met, and some day, I hope that I can be as good as them. I do have a long way to go, but to have the ability to learn from two great people will stick in my head forever, as they gave me opportunities that I might not have gotten anywhere else.

You also had the opportunity to do some work in the AHL with the Portland Pirates. Aside from traveling and scheduling, are there any major differences in the responsibilties of an equipment manager from the QMJHL to the AHL'

The biggest differences between the QMJHL and the AHL is the budgets. In the AHL, each team has two different sources of income, so you basically get everything you need for the players. In the QMJHL, you have less of a budget, so you have to be more cautious, while also making sure that the players have what they need. Another difference is that in the professional leagues, an equipment manager will pack up the gear before leaving, and when the bus pulls into a rink at night, the players will go directly to the hotel, rather than helping to load and unload like they do in juniors.

Take us through a typical game day. When do you arrive, when do you leave, and what do you do before, during, and after the game'

On a game day, I arrive at around 7:30 in the morning to set up for the morning skate. I hang the jerseys, sharpen the skates, fill the water bottles, and set up the bench. After that, I help set things up for the visiting team, giving them what they need while they are here. The MAINEiacs have their morning skate at 10:00, and it usually lasts 30-60 minutes. Following the skate, I vacuum the carpets, mop the floors, and do the laundry. Thankfully, I get a lot of help from Eric "Cheech" Michaud and Kevin Shrader. These two young men do a lot of work, and if it weren't for them, I would probably be lost. After all of the cleaning and laundry is done, I sharpen skates, do the visiting team's laundry, hang the MAINEiacs' jerseys, and lay out their socks for that night's game. Once the players start to arrive (around 4:30 for a 7:00 game), Brian, Eric, Kevin and I are there to help the players with anything they need to get ready for the game. After the game is over, I clean up the dressing room, do more laundry (I usually do about nine loads per day), vacuum, and mop. Finally, my night ends at around 11:00.

Is there a certain responsibility that you enjoy the most, and why'

I have a lot of responsibilities, but the one that I enjoy the most is preparing for a road trip. It is one of the most hectic times, but I love it because I have to make sure that I have everything needed for the trip, whether the trip is one day or nine days. There are a lot of things to bring, and lots of people to contact, that way when you arrive, those people can be there to meet you.

While the two of you have separate jobs, you and Brian Morrison spend quite a bit of time together at the arena. What do you like the most about working with Brian'

Brian is a very quiet good guy to work with, and we both do a lot to help each other out. The best thing about working with Brian is that you can never tell when he is being serious or when he is playing around. He has one of the best poker faces that I have ever seen. When it comes to his work, Brian takes his job extremely seriously, so I am very lucky to work with him.

Thanks to personal experiences, I can call you a master of the pranks. Which prank is your favorite one to do, and why'

I wouldn't call myself a master of pranks yet, as I am not even close to being a master. As for my favorite prank, I would definitely say a "tornado." For those that don't know, a tornado happens when you go into someone's room and completely flip it upside down (making it look like a tornado has blown through). I have had the pleasure of doing two tornadoes this season - once on DJ, and once on Cheech. It's pretty funny to do, but when you have to put it back together, it's not too funny.

You have recently developed a liking for the TV show "24." What do you like about the show'

Interstingly enough, I had never watched the show until the end of January, when we were coming back from Rimouski, and Darren Rumble put it on the bus. When I started watching it, I was completely hooked on it, and have since watched every season of the program. It's a good show with a lot of action and drama. Now, I'm just hoping they come out with a ninth season.

In an ideal world, where does your career take you'

My dream goal would be to work as an equipment manager in the NHL, regardless of team. Everyone wants to reach the NHL, whether you are a player, coach, athletic trainer, equipment manager, or anyone else in the business.

RAPID FIRE

Favorite NHL Team: Colorado Avalanche

Favorite NHL Player (all-time): Joe Sakic

Favorite QMJHL Arena: Colisee Pepsi in Quebec

Favorite Restaurant & Meal on the Road: Spaghetti & Meatballs at Boston Pizza

Favorite Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler

Favorite Singer/Band: Rascal Flatts

-DJ Abisalih

THE RACE FOR THE PLAYOFFS

(Standings updated each morning)

1 Saint John Sea Dogs 56-6-1-2, 115 PTS, 3 GR

16 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 17-44-1-4, 39 PTS, 2 GR

2 Montreal Junior 44-11-5-5, 98 PTS, 3 GR

15 Halifax Mooseheads 20-41-1-3, 44 PTS, 3 GR

3 Quebec Remparts 46-16-1-3, 96 PTS, 2 GR

14 Val-d'Or Foreurs 25-33-4-4, 58 PTS, 2 GR

4 Drummondville Voltigeurs 44-15-5-2, 95 PTS, 2 GR

13 Rimouski Oceanic 30-31-1-3, 64 PTS, 3 GR

5 Gatineau Olympiques 41-17-3-5, 90 PTS, 2 GR

12 Chicoutimi Sagueneens 27-27-5-7, 66 PTS, 2 GR

6 Acadie-Bathurst Titan 42-21-2-1, 87 PTS, 2 GR

11 PEI Rocket 31-25-3-6, 71 PTS, 3 GR

7 Shawinigan Cataractes 40-23-2-1, 83 PTS, 2 GR

10 Moncton Wildcats 32-23-3-7, 74 PTS, 3 GR

8 LEWISTON MAINEIACS 38-23-1-3, 80 PTS, 2 GR

9 Victoriaville Tigres 35-27-1-3, 74 PTS, 2 GR

The teams are lined up based on first round series if the playoffs were to begin today.

MAINEiacs ROAD WARRIOR WEEKEND AT GIPPERS

The MAINEiacs have just two games remaining in the 2010-11 regular season, and this weekend, you will be able to watch those games live at Gippers Sports Grill - your "Home Away From Home" for MAINEiacs games on the road.

On Friday night, the MAINEiacs will visit Baie-Comeau for a 7:30 start, before finishing the regular season on Sunday afternoon with a 4:00 face-off in Chicoutimi.

Gippers Sports Grill, located at 120 Center Street in Auburn, will once again be showing all of the action in their private function room. As always, seating availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive early!

WE'LL SEE YOU AT GIPPERS!

THE HUNT IS ON!

On Wednesday March 23rd, the Lewiston MAINEiacs will be hosting "THE HUNT IS ON" pep rally at the Ramada in Lewiston to lead the team into the playoffs! In addition to the rally, the 2010-11 team awards will be presented at the event, and all of the players will be available for autographs, pictures, and more.

Schedule for the evening

5:45 Doors open for dinner

6:00 Hunters Buffet Sit Down Meal

7:15 Doors open for awards (for those not attending the meal)

7:30 Awards Presentation & Pep Rally

The cost of the meal will be $15 per person, except for season ticket holders, who receive a discounted price of $12.50. Tickets can be purchased at the MAINEiacs office.

Special thanks to Champoux Insurance, Dan Auger Painting and Papering, and Wallbow's Yard Care for sponsoring the event.

Lewiston MAINEiacs 2011 Playoff Ticket Information

PACKAGES & INDIVIDUAL GAMES NOW ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!

PLAYOFF OPTION 1

CAPTAINS PICK (includes holding fee)

12 & under $21.00; Student/Senior $27.00; Adults $33.00

Package includes the box office "holding" your pre-selected seat for all 2011 playoff games. You will receive game tickets for Round 1, Home Games 1 & 2 (tentative March 25, 26). For ALL additional home playoff games your seat will be held from public sale, however you must purchase your game ticket (after Round 1, Game 2) anytime up to 1 hour prior to the scheduled game time to hold your seat for that particular game. You will save $1.00 from box office prices charged to general public for these additional games. (Captains pick price per game for all games played after home games 1 & 2 (12 and under $8; students/seniors $11; adults $14.)

PLAYOFF OPTION 2

CHEER NOW PAY LATER

12 & under $16.00 Student/Senior $22.00; Adult $28.00

Package includes your pre-selected seat for all 2011 playoff games. You will receive game tickets for Round 1, Home Games 1 & 2 (tentative March 25, 26). In addition, you will receive tickets for all additional potential playoff home games by series. For each home playoff game played after Round 1, Home Game 1 & 2 your credit card will be charged for each future game ticket on the day of the scheduled playoff game. (Cheer now pay later price per game saves you $1.00 from the playoff box office price. (12 & under $8; student/senior $11; adults $14.)

PLAYOFF OPTION 3

ROUND BY ROUND

12 & under $34.00; Student/Senior $46.00; Adult $58.00 (per round)

Package includes your pre-selected seat for all possible Home Playoff Games (4 per round). You will receive game tickets for Round 1 Home Games 1, 2, 3 & 4. Should any games not be required you would take the tickets for the games not played to the box office (within the designated time frame) where you will receive a credit for the next 4 potential games in the next round. This would continue for all rounds until the end of the President Cup Playoffs. Should there be tickets for games not played at the end of the playoffs you simply come to the box office with those tickets to receive your refund, less box office fee of $1.00 per ticket (round by round price- 12 & under $34.00; student/senior $46.00; adult $58.00)



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2011


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