PENSACOLA, FL – As hockey fans are watching the slow hand wind down to the beginning of a new season, Pro Hockey News thought we would reach out to some former SPHL players from our early feature stories and see what they are doing these days.
“Beebe Hockey Camp, which started in 2013, is now Rapid Athlete Development,” said Brett Beebe. “We operate all over the United States. We started with 18 kids our first year and this year we will work with over 500 players through various camps, clinics, tournament teams, and more. We have had a number of NHL players join us for our events, which adds an extra layer of excitement for our young athletes. Our events usually incorporate some sort of “extra” that makes trips and events more memorable such as NHL player guests, visits to college campuses, or some sort of giveaway from our sponsor companies.”
During the winter Beebe also coaches the Los Angeles Jr. Kings peewee AAA team, which is nationally ranked in the top 5 in the United States.
“Aside from coaching and training, I do real estate in Los Angeles full time, Brett stated. “I work for Douglas Elliman which is fairly new to California, but is a major player in New York, Aspen, and Miami. Transitioning to real estate has been pretty seamless because of the competitiveness and work ethic required to be successful. I’ve joined a great partner and have learned a ton over the past year.”
“I’m living in Waukesha, Wisconsin, just outside Milwaukee with my girlfriend,” said Joe Bueltel. “I work as an outdoor rooms specialist for a swimming pool company. I still play recreational hockey with a great group of guys and enjoy fishing, biking and camping on the weekends with my good friends. I look back fondly on my time in the SPHL and I am truly grateful for the time I had!”
“After playing for 12 years I turned to coaching,” said Trevor Karasiewicz. “It’s been a good run, I think. Three rings in 5 years. I’ll be back in Watertown this season to defend the cup. They are a great bunch of guys and I’m confident we will give it a good run.”
“Since retiring from playing I have bought house with my girlfriend and have been working as a financial service representative at TD bank,” said Mike McIntyre. “We’ve taken quite a few vacations over the last two years; Nashville, Ft Lauderdale, Cuba, Vegas, and of course Pensacola for (Kevin) Kozlowski’s wedding two summers ago.
MacIntyre still plays hockey with his buddies from Windsor in a summer league, and on Monday nights in a very competitive league with other pro hockey players and guys who are up and coming. “It keeps me competitive,” said Mike, who also does custom woodworking. “And the itch to still play will always be there. I miss the game every day and wish I was still playing, but it was time to retire and step into the real world and start the family life.”
As we reach out to our readers social media, many ask what the author has been doing. I’ve been privileged to cover All Star games, the NHL draft, and multiple red carpet events. Look for more coverage this coming season of the SPHL as I am based in Pensacola once again. And as the SPHL welcomes the Quad City Storm, we will be covering the city where I saw my first hockey game!
Photos courtesy of Candi Lago Churchill, Brett Beebe, Joseph Bueltel, and Mike MacIntyre
Follow the author on Twitter @RonnaReporter
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