My turn to drop the ceremonial puck!!!

Left: Captain Justin Dowling
Right: Alternate Captain Curtis McKenzie, a former Star

This season may be rather up and down compared to previous ones but it’s special because it marks my Stars’ tenth season in Austin and the AHL.

A decade in one spot is pretty tough to pull off in a development league. Achieving a long-term residency in Texas isn’t as difficult as my northern friends would think. Houston’s last go via the Aeroes began in the mid Nineties with the IHL, they were one of the six chosen to merge into the AHL and they only relocated to Des Moines, IA when the Rockets evicted them from the Toyota Center. The Rockets’ leadership (pathetic as it is) believes it will make more selling overpriced tickets to training-bra concerts. I’m confident that the NHL and AHL continue to find a way to bring professional hockey back to Houston. The biggest problem is finding a decent venue which will be equidistant for most fans.

Austin on the other hand has passed with flying colors with its first opportunity in the AHL. We tend to be in the top third for attendance and we’ve been to the Calder Cup Finale three times in nine years which is amazing given how much an AHL roster changes from season to season v. our NHL parents.

I have also been there from the beginning. I remember how stoked I was calling them up to purchase my first season ticket with Jeremy. To save money, we each bought one seat and would share them. After the inaugural year which was a thrilling roller coaster, unlike 99% of most expansion teams (see Las Vegas, wow), I doubled down to get Somara a permanent spot and I’ve been there every year. In return, I’ve received great perks but being on the big screen before all the fans to drop the ceremonial puck is right up there with my Zamboni ride during an intermission.

The Stars’ staff are a class act. I never knew there was such a tight script they follow. I am quite grateful they made sure the MC knew how pronounce my last name too. I told Justin congratulations on his 500th game the night before and let Curtis know we miss him. I did get to keep the puck, I just need to to get it a case to join my three other specials. My rep rocks (they all have) because she then gave me a special 10-year pin as a thank you from the organization.

Meanwhile, will I be back for season 11. Of course! Stars are my team. Dallas, not so much. I will always side with Philly in the NHL, they’re more colorful, but in Texas, the Stars all the way. Right now it’s iffy on their playoff spot. Nobody has cinched it and the Stars tend to be a clutch team. They will either land the last spot, surprise me by nailing third or drop out altogether in time for me to set up my Moontower plans.

This entry was posted in Austin Stars, Austintatious, Hockey and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply