Ahead of Don Orsillo bobblehead doll night Bruce Landon takes a trip down memory lane to see what former Falcons players are up to.
Manny Legace, who is now back with the Springfield Falcons after playing for many years in the NHL and earning 187 wins, is just one of many Falcons alums who have advanced in their careers, both during and after their playing days.When I was given the opportunity to do this blog on a weekly basis, the good folks at MassLive.com gave me the green light to write about anything in hockey that I wanted to and I did not have to just focus on the Falcons or the AHL.
Over the past several weeks, I have tried to write blogs that would give you a look at behind the scenes of what goes on with the franchise and stories blogs that were timely based on what is currently going on with our sport. I also have tried to address some particular issues, even controversial topics.
Today, I will simplify things. I am always asked if I know what certain players are now doing with their lives since they left professional hockey. There will be some names here from the past that many of you will recognize.
Greg Parks - A hero during the Indians Calder Cup days, now resides in Fort Saskatchewan, and is an assistant coach in the AJHL.
Rod Dallman - A tough kid when he played, he is now a corrections officer in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Jeff Finley - Offensive blue liner now scouts for the Detroit Red Wings.
Chris Pryor - One of the most intense players I have ever seen. He is now Director of Hockey Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Hank Lammens - Islander prospect who is now the Managing Director for an Investment Company in New York City.
Tom Fitzgerald - Enjoyed a nice NHL career with 139 career goals and is now Director of Player Development for Pittsburgh.
Mike Walsh - Offensive winger who is now the Head Coach at Proctor Academy.
Shawn Evans - Great passer in his days and is now head coach and general manager in the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
Kelly Ens - He is now a preacher.
Ross McKay - Played as the backup to Kay Whitmore, he is now a chiropractor in Illinois.
Cam Brauer - Big defenseman who is now a dentist in Calgary.
Manny Viveiros - Offensive defenseman who is now a head coach in Austria.
Billy Smith - Hall-of-Fame goaltender who works for a steel company in Cornwall, Ontario and participates in many old-timers games around Canada.
Butch Goring - Great centerman who now does color commentary on the Islanders network.
On Jan. 21 it will be Don Orsillo bobblehead doll night when we hold our Annual Red Sox Night. Don will be in attendance. Don was the first Falcons broadcaster and is now an icon in New England with his work on NESN for the Boston Red Sox.
We are proud of other former broadcasters who have also gone on to bigger and better things. Chris Kerber is the voice of the St. Louis Blues. John Forslund is the voice for the Carolina Hurricanes and one of the broadcast stars on Versus. John Michael was recently named the new voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers. John Paul Dellacara is one of the best soccer broadcasters in the country.
I believe we have one of the best broadcasters in the American Hockey League in our own Mike Kelly. I hope some NHL team reaches out to him and gives him an opportunity. I would hate to lose him, but our goal is to give all of our players and staff a chance to hone their skills in our organization and advance their career.
The Falcons will enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak and I look forward to seeing you at the Nest on Friday and Sunday afternoon.
Bruce Landon is president and general manager of the Springfield Falcons. He can be reached by commenting on this blog or sending him an e-mail at blandon@falconsahl.com. For more information visit the team website.