COLUMBUS, GA – Early in December, the Columbus Cottonmouths faced a roster problem. Between injuries and call-ups, head coach Jerome Bechard found himself needing players to fill holes. So what did Bechard do?
He called in the Army. To be more exact, he called on Army Captain Ken Porter.
Stationed at nearby Fort Benning, Porter, who played hockey for the Black Knights, was able to make arrangements to practice and play games while continuing his service. Along the way he fashioned a storybook ending to his first professional game.
Porter’s excellent adventure actually began long before he got the call from Bechard. Assigned to the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, he had the opportunity to play in the local adult league in Columbus. One of his military brothers, Zach McKelvie, also played in the same league. During the league season, Porter and McKelvie became friends with current Cottonmouths Brett Hammond and Tom Maldonado.
On November 27th, Peter MacDougall suffered an injury which eventually forced Bechard to put him on the injured reserved list. Five days later, Levi Lind was called up by Rapid City in the CHL. It left the Cottonmouths short-handed and in need of some help.
It was McKelvie, who is presently playing for the AHL’s Providence Bruins (the top farm team of the Boston Bruins), who suggested that Bechard call Porter.
“Zach had said that if you ever need a player, give me a call,” Bechard said. “I texted Zach and asked him if his West point buddy was still here. He said “yeah, Ken’s still there,” so I called him and he skated that morning and the day of the game and played.”
During his days at West Point, Porter was a member of the hockey team during his freshman, sophomore and junior years. In that time, he saw action in seven total games and tallied one goal during his sophomore campaign.
With the help of Major Aaron Titko, his immediate supervisor, and Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Steven George, Porter’s first professional game came on December 2nd when the Pensacola Ice Flyers invaded the Columbus Civic Center. With his family and several Army buddies in the stands, the 27 year old Albany, NY native got his chance to live out a boyhood dream.
Of course, his buddies had their own expectations.
“I was getting texts all day from my buddies telling me I had to get on the score sheet,” Porter said.
Porter and the Cottonmouths found themselves in the middle of a goaltenders duel as the third period started. Both Pensacola’s Steve Christie and Columbus’ Ian Vigier were pitching dual shutouts. As the clock ticked toward the five minute mark of the stanza, Porter’s story became a Hollywood screenplay. Defenseman David Cianfrini fed a pass to Porter who broke away on a two-on-one with teammate Mitch Wall. Using Wall as a decoy, Porter held the puck and whipped a shot past Christie to break the deadlock.
“I got a good pass from the defenseman (Cianfrini) and turned and started heading up the ice,” Porter said. “It was a two-on-one and I realized the defenseman wasn’t even looking at me and I had free reign with the goalie. I picked my corner and hit it.”
The goal proved to be the game-winner as the Cottonmouths posted a 2-0 victory (Sam Bowles scored the other Columbus goal). Afterwards, Porter said he was just happy to contribute, let alone be the deciding factor.
“I’m just glad it was the game winner,” he said. “The guys in the locker room were excited for me. I’m just glad I got to help the team.”
Porter played in two more games for the Cottonmouths before the team signed Daniel Amesbury on December 15th. With MacDougall almost ready to come off of IR, Porter was waived to clear roster room on December 19th.
Will this be the last of Captain Ken Porter’s pro hockey career? Of this chapter, yes it is, but like all good stories, there’s always the chance for a sequel.
Contact the author at lee.marion@prohockeynews.com
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