The Ice Wolves Den Ice Wolves equipment manager James Fichtner in the #PHNSpotlight

ALBUQUERQUE – Hello Ice Wolves fans and welcome to the latest edition of the Ice Wolves Den. This week we feature Ice Wolves Equipment Manager James Fichtner.

James’ mother Kara Fichtner says his career started out at a community service project, “When he was 14, he needed community service hours for National Honor Society. Hockey was a big part of his world, and the Ice Wolves were a new team. They had an equipment manager who knew James from around the rink. James asked him if he could volunteer his time to help to get his community service hours. He helped on game days, getting the locker room ready with jerseys, socks, tape, filling the water bottles, getting the backup sticks to the bench, game pucks, doing the laundry after the game and learning new skills related to supporting a hockey team. Before the first half of the season was over, the equipment manager left. They still needed help on game days so he continued to help.” Kara said, “They didn’t hire anyone to fill that position for year 2 so James helped. He enjoyed being a part of the team and getting to know the players. Year 3, ironically, they hired his Dad, who had just retired, as the equipment manager to do laundry,  sharpen skates and be at the home games. James taught his dad what was needed to fulfill that job and continued to help during game days. Year 4, James took a break and focused on his senior year of high school Last season, they needed an equipment manager to cover both teams, and James accepted the job offered to him.”

Ice Wolves Owner Stan Hubbard says James truly is the hardest working man in the city, “James has been around hockey in Albuquerque his entire life. He played youth hockey up through 18U and even played a few games with the NA3HL NM Ice Wolves. I used to coach James and he was always a hard worker on the ice, but also the first to jump in to help keep the locker room clean, pick up pucks after practice and help with whatever needed to be done.” Hubbard continued, “His love of hockey and commitment to hockey in New Mexico hasn’t changed. He’s learned all the aspects of being a great equipment manager and takes the job seriously. He takes care of two teams, which means lots of organization, record keeping, skate sharpening, uniform repair, and laundry every week…and that’s before getting teams packed up to travel and preparing the bench for the home games. James really is the hardest working man in Albuquerque.”

Jeff “Smoke” Adams spent 19 years in professional hockey as an Equipment Manager, 3 of those seasons right here in Albuquerque with the New Mexico Scorpions. He understands the importance of a good equipment manager, “The equipment manager is one of the most important, and least understood, positions on any hockey team. Essentially, the equipment manager is responsible for everything you see the players wearing on the ice. They order, stock, and maintain all the protective gear; from the helmets, gloves, and pants to the shin guards, elbow pads, and shoulder pads underneath. They care for the uniforms, washing and mending the socks and jerseys to keep them looking sharp. They are responsible for coordinating the transportation of the equipment from place to place as needed.” Adams continued, “They order, stock, distribute and care for the underwear that acts as a base layer between the players’ skin and their equipment. In addition, they are responsible for preparing the locker rooms and bench for the players, overseeing game day helpers who take care of filling water and gatorade jugs and bottles, in addition to washing, folding, and drying towels. Finally, and most importantly, the equipment manager orders, stocks, and maintains the sticks and skates. Basically, the equipment manager takes care of all of the players’ needs to facilitate their ability to perform to their best ability on the ice.”

Kara says they were proud of his stint playing for the Ice Wolves last season, “We were extremely proud. He wanted to play for that team but didn’t make the cut, which is ok, so being able to have the opportunity to be called up and play just brought everything full circle. It was really awesome because he got to play with his billet brother, Easton Armstrong.”

While he’s deserving of recognition, James has avoided it at all costs, his Mom says that’s just him, “He doesn’t do this job for the glory of being recognized. He’s one part of the puzzle to being a team. He just wants to take care of the boys and do his job. It’s like being a player and playing for the logo on the front not the name on the back.” Kara continued, “He’s passionate about what he does and does it to the best of his ability. He’s always looking up information on how to do things, so he has the knowledge he needs to be successful and desire to be perfect….and maybe a little bit of watching his parents with strong work ethics growing up.”

Stan feels James is more than deserving of everything, “Like his Mom and Dad who have tirelessly helped the youth hockey program, the Outpost and the NM Ice Wolves since James was a young player, James follows in their footsteps. With his family background, I don’t think anything other than hard work and dedicated commitment has ever been an option for James so we’re lucky to have him. The players are lucky, the organization is lucky and the fans are lucky because we have the best looking, best taken care of team in all of junior hockey.” Hubbard said, “James is completely committed and learns what he doesn’t know. He’s a self starter and loves the players and teams he’s taking care of. That love and commitment shines through every day.”

In all sports, no team can function without their Equipment Manager. The Ice Wolves are no different. As fans, they rarely notice them on the bench because most of their work is done behind the scenes. I have personally gotten to know James very well and earlier this season, I got to see his caring side. The Ice Wolves had a medical emergency after a game, as a retired Firefighter/EMT I jumped in to help. After the incident, I got emotional and James was there to give me a huge hug and the comfort I would expect from an old friend, not a 19 year old “kid”. I have also seen him give kids at the arena broken sticks or game pucks. He may not show it, but I know without a doubt that James is a caring young man and I am proud to call him a friend.

The NA3HL Ice Wolves swept the Tulsa Oilers this past weekend, 4-1 on Friday, 10-1 on Saturday and 8-1 on Sunday, led by a Hat Trick from Issa Murakami Saturday and a Hat Trick by Kyle Mackintosh on Sunday. With the sweep the Ice Wolves not only moved into second place 4 points ahead of the Texas Brahmas, but they have clinched a playoff spot.

The NAHL Ice Wolves were off this weekend, but they return to action at the Outpost Friday and Saturday against the Odessa Jackalopes, puck drop both nights is 6:30.