By Daniel Izquierdo
Special Correspondent
MIAMI � Wheeling, W.Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa., are not far from each other geographically. They are less than 60 miles apart, with the commute taking about an hour.
The two cities are a world away when it comes to hockey. Pittsburgh has the Penguins in the National Hockey League; Wheeling has the Nailers, a minor league club, in the East Coast Hockey League.
Miami Manatees goaltender Mark Scally, 26, became familiar with the Nailers when he was let go by the Penguins after two exhibition games in 2000.
"What's tough is that a lot of people don't understand is the travel involved with minor league hockey," said Scally, a graduate of Penn State University. "When I was playing up at Pittsburgh, we flew to all of our games; and not only did we fly, but we flew a private, corporate jet. You really get treated like royalty. When you go down you are traveling primarily by bus."
For Scally and others playing in leagues not affiliated with the NHL, life can be tough and salaries bottom out around $400 per week.
The Manatees, who will play at Miami Arena, are part of the World Hockey Association 2, a six-team league based primarily in the South. Their season begins Nov. 8 against the Macon Trax at 7:05 p.m.
Since there is no draft, the six clubs sign free agents any way they can. The WHA2 conducted a free-agent combine in Kissimmee over the summer.
"I haven't had any awkward situations while getting players," said Manatees coach Zac Boyer, who retired last season after numerous concussions. "I just have a relationship with players that I've played with. They know a defensemen or a goalie and that's kind of how it works.
"It's a vicious cycle, but a good cycle. Mostly the guys I brought in I had played the game with out West [in Colorado of the West Coast Hockey League]."
The majority of guys in the unaffiliated minor leagues are well-traveled players that are either hanging on because of the love for the game, or in hopes of landing a bigger contract elsewhere.
Manatee defensemen Jean-Francois Picard, 24, has been playing professionally for six years. In that time, Picard, who helps his father run a NAPA Auto Parts store in Montreal, has played on 12 different teams in six leagues. Picard's circuitous route to Miami included stops in Long Beach, Calif., Colorado, Flint, Mich., Memphis, Tenn., and Wichita, Kan.
With the exception of minor-leaguers in the upper echelon of competition, such as the American Hockey League, many hold jobs during the offseason. Boyer, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks before playing in the Dallas Stars' organization for two years, said summer jobs range from substitute teaching to players opening their own landscaping businesses.
Web posted on Oct. 29, 2003
|
 |
Home
News
Booster Club
Roster
Schedule
Photos
Links
Message Board
Email: [email protected]
This article is copyright 2003 by the Sun-Sentinel and is used for informational purposes only.
|
|---|
