Tag Archive for Charlotte Checkers

AHL is the New NHL

November 28, 2012 AHL No comments

Just as Lady Gaga is the new Madonna, the Duggar Family is the new Brady Bunch, or Honey Boo Boo is the new Honey Badger….times evolves for better or worse (or way worse). Something must step up to replace the NHL while it digs itself a grave. Replacements are typically chosen for their similarities (i.e. God-awful stage outfits worn by pop stars) and there were plenty of similarities between the NHL and AHL this past week.

First, and most obvious, there are NHL players competing in the AHL. For example, Jordan Eberle (and his moustache) tallied five points (4g, 1a) over two games this past weekend against South Division leader, Charlotte Checkers. I was able to watch the Barons and Checkers on Time Warner Cable Saturday night and it was a NHL quality showing. Fast paced, talented players (like Justin Faulk, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Eberle) truly did provide entertaining, professional-level hockey. Read more

An Interview with Joe Sova

November 20, 2012 AHL, General No comments

Joe Sova with the Charlotte Checkers (Photo: KP Kelly)

Mr. Joe Sova is a defensemen currently playing with the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL. The 24 year old had a three-year career at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and totaled 58 points (13 goals, 45 assists). Sova was named UAF’s top rookie in 2008-09. Prior to the CCHA, he played three seasons in the United States Hockey League. Sova led the Omaha Lancer defenseman with 7 goals and ranked second amongst defenseman with a plus-23 rating through 59 games. His 2006-07 season was spent with Sioux City, he tallied 23 points (4g, 19a) and a plus-16 rating over 58 games. He earned seven points (2g-5a) in 40 games for Waterloo in 2005-06.

The 6’2” Illinois native made his pro debut with AHL Albany after signing an entry-level contract with New Jersey on March 19, 2011. In January of 2012, he was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes in the deal that brought Alexei Ponikarovsky to the New Jersey Devils. Sova performed in 20 games with the Charlotte Checkers.

Ok, you are all caught up on your Sova stats. Another little known fact, Mr. Sova is an OET fan and was kind enough to do an interview with us… Read more

AHL Week 2: What Hockey Fans Ought to Know

October 22, 2012 AHL No comments

AHL Player of the Week (Photo by Jon Fobes , Cleveland Plain Dealer)

What hockey fans already know is the NHL has cancelled 135 games. What everyone should do is channel that fanhood to the AHL. The minor hockey league is 10 days into a great season. Here’s what you ought to know…

The Conference Leaders…

The Syracuse Crunch lead the Eastern Conference with 9 points (4-0-0-1). The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (3-0-0-0) and Manchester Monarchs (3-1-0-0) follow with six points each. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins sit at the bottom of the barrel with four consecutive losses.

In the Western Conference, the Lake Erie Monsters take the number one spot thanks to their 17 goals, otherwise they share a 4-1-0-0 record with Chicago. They are being closely followed the Charlotte Checkers (3-1-0-1) and Abbotsford Heat (3-0-0-1).

The Top Scorers…

Cory Conacher of Syracuse has claimed a beautiful nine points in five contests (4g,5a), including a goal in the 6-5 overtime victory in Binghamton on Saturday night. Syracuse came back after a huge five goal deficit. Read more

OET Supports Youth Hockey…And You Can Too

August 9, 2012 General No comments

OET ad on the boards in Charlotte, NC, home of the AHL Charlotte Checkers and Jr Checkers

Supporting youth hockey programs was a top priority to us when starting OET. Whether we make a $50 or $50,000 profit, we want to be able to give back a good chunk to the young’uns on the ice and to the programs to which they belong. Our first step was creating apparel to benefit the Kids ‘N Community Foundation and the Tim Thomas Foundation with our Blackbeard and Fear the Bear shirts.

Side Note: Funny, no matter how much you plan, you can’t always predict controversy like the Thomas blow-up on Twitter and Facebook. Whether you hate him or love him for his views, we continue to support his hockey camps with our Fear the Bear shirts because it is for the kids. In the words of Forrest Gump, “That’s all I got to say about that.”

OET water bottles will be available in October.

Our second effort is slight, but exciting. We supported the Charlotte Junior Checkers with the purchase of a dasher ad and supplying water bottles for the kids in partnership with the Extreme Ice Center. We know this is just of first of many efforts to encourage youth in the sport.

Help us support the team with a purchase of our charity tees. Our new line will launch in October with more designs, sizes, and accessories. Oh, and of course we will have a new charity line to support various charities.

What apparel you like to see? What hockey charity would you like to support? Let us know in the comment section.

 

Too Many Threads on the Ice

July 31, 2012 Behind the Designs, General No comments

AHL forward, A.J. Jenks, had this tweet come across my Twitter timeline today:

You may think as owner one of these annoying hockey themed apparel stores that I would be offended.

Nah.

I think I was more offended to be in the same category as puck bunnies. Actually, I take that back as there are some pretty hilarious bunny tweeters out there. Moreover, it is impossible to be upset with Mr. Jenks. He plays for my favorite AHL team (Charlotte Checkers), hails from Detroit (my family’s hometown), and has some of the most amazing hair in the league. Read more

Showdown #7: King Henry vs Rookie Holtby

May 11, 2012 General No comments

2012 Vezina winner?! (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Cue the rolling tumbleweeds and gun sling’in sound effects, because Game 7 between the Rangers and Capitals is going to be like an old western shootout between veteran goalie, King Henry, and rookie, Braden Holtby. Yes, this game goes beyond the crease, but the match-up is an interesting one. Read more