WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Over the past few years, single-A professional hockey has begun to embrace its role in the developmental process for players, on-ice officials and team administrators. The Twin City Cyclones of the Southern Professional Hockey League are a perfect example. In addition to providing affordable and family-friendly fun, the team has had several players move on to higher leagues in North America and Europe.
T he latest member of the franchise to move on and up is former player turned equipment manager Jorge Alves, who has gone from being a minor league Cyclone to becoming a big league Hurricane.
Alves, came to the Cyclones in a unique fashion, first as a player and then as
Alves behind the bench
He met and married a “Carolina girl” while stationed in North Carolina. Once his enlistment ended Jorge and his bride settled in the Raleigh, NC area. He quickly got back into local hockey, polishing his goaltending skills at various on-ice sessions which included the chance to scrimmage with a number of the pro players living in the area. Contacts within the hockey community led to an opportunity to work for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes as a game day assistant to the team’s equipment managerial staff, usually working with the visiting teams.
Meanwhile, by constantly working out and staying in shape, he shook off the goaltending rust and attracted the attention of general managers and coaches in minor pro hockey. He has been invited to several minor pro training camps and is recognized as a solid goaltender. The camp invites led first to fill-in opportunities when call-ups and injuries created the need for emergency and back up goaltending. He has been able to parlay these short-term stints and training camp invitations into longer term regular contracts. For example, he has had the opportunity to play in the ECHL on regular playing contracts with the South Carolina Stingrays and the Charlotte Checkers in previous seasons.
When a short-term goaltending need arose for the Cyclones last year, Alves, with his experience and proximity to Winston-Salem, was a natural to fill in. Once this stint was completed, he was asked to stay on as the team’s equipment manager for the remainder of the season. A new baby and the desire to lessen his nomadic life led him to accept the equipment manager’s job with the Cyclones for the remainder of 2007-08 season.
This in turn sparked the realization that his pro hockey dream could be achieved through one of two paths: as a player or as an equipment manger. In his free time, he continues to work hard on his goaltending skills, looking for a shot between the pipes. At the same time, he is developing the experience base necessary to serve in a full-time role as an equipment manger in pro hockey once his playing days are over.
“I have a dream of succeeding as a player and once off the ice I want to do something in pro hockey,” Alves said. “The experience I am gaining with the Hurricanes may make this type of opportunity a good fit.”
For their part, the Cyclones’ management is very happy to have played a part in Alves’ success.
“The Cyclone’s are glad to have been a part of his development,” General Manager Sean Cowan said. “The team and the SPHL are dedicated to our participants’ development in all phases of the game.”
Contact the author at phil.brand@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.