Hockey returns to OKC after a one year hiatus

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ANTIOCH, Calif – In one of the worst kept secret in all of minor league sports, The Edmonton Oilers will move their AHL Franchise, dormant since 2005 to Oklahoma City next season. The move which Warrior predicted in 2006, comes four seasons after the franchise known as The Roadrunners had a one season run in Edmonton during the NHL Lock Out season in 2004-2005.  
 
The ill-fated season in Edmonton has long been regarded as a “cash grab” by the Oilers fans who felt duped into believing the Roadrunners were a long-term investment for the community, when in fact the Oilers never intended to keep the franchise in Edmonton after the NHL strike ended.
 
The franchise will play at the Cox Convention Center, formerly known as the Myriad and will be run by Prodigal Hockey president Bob Funk, who, as president of Express Sports, folded the city’s previous franchise, Oklahoma City Blazers, even though the Blazers averaged 6,508 fans in the 2008-2009 CHL season.
 
It is no secret that Express Sports long coveted an AHL franchise and were willing to fold the CHL Blazers and the years of profits that team brought to the Funks. The fans in Oklahoma are considered to be the most loyal in all of minor league sports.
 
Former Blazer coach Doug Sauter is rumored to be a coaching candidate as is Doug Shedden, considered by many to be the best coach not to be in the NHL.   The Oilers were not available at press time for comment.
 
As for the CHL, they have now lost markets in Oklahoma City, Austin and San Antonio due to the AHL. Former President Brad Treliving is now the assistant general manager in Phoenix as well as the general manager in San Antonio, so it looks like the CHL is not only trying to get its players promoted to a higher level but its cities as well.
 
Warrior thinks if the CHL did a better job of taking care of its markets and didn’t concentrate on building arenas in a downtrodden economy that all of hockey would be better off.

 

 
Tasker Still an Internet sensation  

It’s been 10 years since an infamous fight between Toledo Storm forward Ken Tasker and Trevor Senn in a famous battle at center ice with more punches thrown in 50 seconds then a young Mike Tyson would throw in a five round fight. Yet it continues to be one of the most watched fights in the history of You Tube.   The Warrior, long captivated by that fight and the approximately 1 million people that have downloaded it, sought Tasker out and became amazed at the story behind the pugilist in an exclusive Facebook interview

 
The Warrior :          Ken you’ve retired form hockey enjoying life and somehow a fight gets posted between you and Trevor Senn, when did you realize you had become an internet sensation?
 

Ken :     Well, actually a few years back. I started getting it emailed to me from random people… I just remember thinking “how do these people get this footage if I don’t even have it?

 

The Warrior:             Every hockey fan was getting this video and it looked like 100 punches were thrown.   Do you remember the night of that fight?

 

Ken :     Sure do, I’ll remember it forever. I was particularly nervous because my Mom and some family were in town. A little history before that though. My pro tryout was with Brophy and Al MacIssac down in Hampton Roads and my first day they show me this video of Downey and Bedard… They ask me to listen closely to the announcer- He just finishes welcoming Bedard’s family when Downey and Bedard line up against one another… The fight was toe-to-toe for about five punches and then Downey rains down with those lefts and about three monstrous bombs drive Bedard into the ice opening him up bad, he was leaking all the frigging place down on one knee… That image stayed with me my whole career…     I really wanted to put on a good show; in warm-up we were eyeing each other a few times as we skated around. I said to him “So we going to go tonight?” He said “Yep let’s give them a show”. Then off the face off, we agreed to head to center ice. The one thing I remember about it was ‘Wow I am hitting this guy with my best shots and he won’t go down’.   The Warrior:             How about Trevor Senn, have you talked to him since the video became famous worldwide?

 

Ken:     Yeah, we got a call from the FUJI network in Japan and they wanted to get us together for a follow-up to interview us in person… Senn was saying about that day that he was getting the boys all riled up asking.” Who’s it going to be boys? Who’s going to take on Tasker??

 
We went down to NYC to film for two or three days… Was cool to sit and hang out with him… He was frigging hilarious… LOL the Japanese kept asking him to put more ENERGY!! into his answers and then he kind of rears up like somebody kicked him and say’s “Well what the f@ %)? You want me to go with him again?? I was like woahhh Senn settle down… settle down…
 
10:

The Warrior:             Was this you’re defining moment?   Everyone who has ever played with you has talked about your passion for the game, the fact you played every shift like it was your last, where did that drive come from?   Ken:     No, it was just another day at work for me. To be honest most of my fights felt like that but it was just the shear endurance of it that stood out. I honestly didn’t know if I could outlast him. Umm, not sure I remember I wanted to literally break people when I hit them… it always seemed I couldn’t hit them hard enough with a check or punch… My first Junior tryout in Halifax NS the coaches called me their Vietnamese player cause they said I went to war every shift… I took as a great compliment… as I do now from you, thanks… If people say that about me it humbles me.  

I always thought I had to fight every guy that I came across; I always thought tonight there might be a scout that notices me.
 

The Warrior:             You have fought several of the minor leagues’ all-time tough guys, now that you will never have to drop the gloves again give me your top five guys you have ever fought.

 

Ken :     HAHAHA Alright! This is going to be fun. Ok for sure Trevor Senn, honestly we’d fight every time we’d see one another. One time I’d win the next time he’d win.

Matt Van Horlick, that guy just would not sit still, I found it so hard to connect on him and he hit like a mule.
 
Jason Payne hit me so hard one the hair on his knuckles tore a strip of skin off that part that goes between your nose and upper lip.
 
Craig Patterson knocked me into a white mist one time and I literally couldn’t see where the boards were to get off the ice. Built like a Super Hero. I saw him at PHPA meeting in FLA and thought “No frigging wonder… Look at the guy…” Terrific guy though
 
Wow. There were so many… I found that they were all tough… The other guy that stands out as a hard hitter was Andy Bezeau, I totally underestimated him… All the boys kept telling me was watch out for Bezeau! Bezeau’s a killer…Then we get out there and he looked so tiny… I though no way is this the same guy… I had this image of a guy 6’5 or something… Well he must have been 185 pounds or something but he hit me like he had a bat… I just remember getting hit in the ear and thinking what was that?? Holy #&#* that hurt… don’t let him do that again…… I rarely met a tough guy that was a jerk off the ice. I mean they’re out there that’s for sure but most guys are very humble and usually the guys volunteering in the community. Big hearts I guess.
 

The Warrior:             What has post hockey life brought to you?

 

Ken :     Most recently peace of mind…great time with the family, the best friend a man can have- my dog Beowulf and a great girl. Oh yeah and more outdoor hockey!

 

The Warrior:             Any chance we could see Ken Tasker coaching Atom or pewee hockey trying to install the same work ethic in kids?

 

Ken :     I actually started hockey fighting classes around Christmas. Junior age players and up… Not trying to churn out little goons just teaching them that it’s better not to fight at all but if you have to.. What to do not to get hurt. Never start it.. but darn well finish it.. Educate people on the real dangers of fighting. Concussions, deaths etc… Try and strip away some of the glory all these kids and parents think about fighting

 

The Warrior:              Ken it’s been an honor.   We have spoke several times over the last couple of years and have often used your tape as motivation when speaking to kids about never giving up good luck in your future and thanks for being a friend of Pro Hockey News.

 
Ken :   Thanks Warrior it’s been my pleasure. It’s obvious the gift of passion you have and it’s great to see you pouring into hockey again. Best of luck to you and keep up the great work. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you on a network soon enough.
 
Upon completion of the interview, The Warrior spoke with Jason Griffin Director of Public & Media Relations Broadcasting for the Toledo Walleye and the man whose voice brought the fight to life to see if he had a comment or favorite memory of Ken Tasker
 
“Look, Ken Tasker was and continues to be one of the greatest characters to ever play the game and I have a hundred stories about him, but my absolute favorite is the very first time we went to play a game in War Memorial against the Johnstown Chiefs of Slap Shot Fame,” said a laughing Griffin.
 
“It’s right after the morning skate and I am going to the Press Box and I see Tasker in the press box watching the movie Slap Shot. I was laughing and amazed, this was just his way to get fired up for the game.”
 
“Another Time he told me he was going to trying to hit the scoreboard with his gloves when he dropped them to fight and you know what, he actually tossed them about 100 feet in the air. The crowd went wild he had the whole building fired up. Ken Tasker is one-in-a-million.”
 
The Fight can be viewed on YouTube by clicking here .  
 
Warrior thoughts :
It has been over 2 months since I have written an article for Pro Hockey news. I apologize to my fans, the Staff, my editor Mitch Cooper and above all my publisher Lou Lafrado for my absence from these pages.
 
The Warrior has moved to Antioch, California and is now The King of Dodge for Antioch Dodge.
 
Shortly after the move my mom was hospitalized for 2 weeks for a second time in two years and my father has been in ill health.   This, added with the end of an eight year personal relationship, finding a place to stay and still trying remain on top of my game was a bit overwhelming to The Warrior and I lost interest in everything but selling cars.    I will make a better effort to maintain your loyalty.
 
I also apologize to Edmonton Oil Kings Forward Klarc Wilson. Wilson was a member of the Brandon Wheat Kings when he granted an interview to The Warrior. Wilson has since been traded to Edmonton and the interview is now outdated.
 
Fighting depression is hard, but it’s even harder when you’re a public figure and so many people rely on you for a sports fix or to be entertained. I just didn’t expect it to know the way to California.
 
Finally The Warrior encourages all my followers to listen to Sirius Mad Dog Radio Channel 123 for your hockey fix. Dino Costa hosts the evening show and is as knowledgeable about hockey as any other.
 
Follow the Warrior on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/warriorsports
www.kingofdodge.com
 
Contact thewarrior@prohockeynews.com

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