SLBAM: Arber Xhekaj is not an option on the fourth line

What’s up gang. Hope you’re well.

I’d like to apologize for not writing an article last week. I’ll come back to it later, but Adam Johnson’s death has had a huge impact on our team. I’m in the process of finalizing the article and it’s currently Saturday afternoon.

We’re just finishing our preparations for our opening game in Wheeling. It’s going to be packed for the game, something that hasn’t happened in several years.

Now for your questions and a few hot topics.

It’s a funny question, since some journalists had the same conversation this week on the radio. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a no, unless you really don’t have room for a defenseman and you don’t have anyone to play on a^4th line up front.

The problem here is that just because he’s got shortcomings, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be better up front. After all, he’s never taken a zone exit, rim and so on as a forward.

So he’d be exposed at that level, and I don’t think his field hockey sense could help him become a key^4th-line player. Let’s not forget that he’s currently on the^2nd power play and is a pillar on the blue line and an indispensable part of the Habs’ line-up.

I’d rather see him work on his defensive shortcomings and improve his strengths as a defenseman than have to start from scratch with him and maybe want to put him back as a defenseman in a few years and have wasted all that time.

Yes, but it all depends on the contract signed by the player in question.

Some players have two-part contracts, i.e. ECHL/LAH. At that point, they’ll get their AHL salary when they’re recalled by the big club.

On the other hand, for those who have an ECHL-only contract and are recalled, I couldn’t confirm what the increase is, because I don’t have that information.

However, they will regularly call up a player with a two-way contract or only a one-way AHL contract before calling up an ECHL player.

The advantage that players have is that their apartment is provided by the team and, if not, they can have an amount allocated if, for example, they want to be quiet elsewhere in a house with their family.

This helps enormously, as you don’t have to pay rent.

Being an ECHL player and knowing that the chances of moving up the LAH are slim, I’d arrange to buy a house in the city where I play and ask the organization to give me the money for the apartment. That way, I’d get a house payment for free.

As for salaries, we’re talking about an average of $800 USD per player per week. There are players above $1000 and players below $800, of course. A lot of expenses are included, and on the road, everyone gets a per diem for food, so few players pay for food.

Lunch is provided at the arena, along with vitamins, proteins and the like. So there’s a fair amount left in each player’s pocket every week.

But no, ECHL players aren’t millionaires and still have to be careful with their money. But on the other hand, isn’t it wonderful to be able to earn a decent salary while playing field hockey every day?

I don’t follow the AHL enough to say. I watch all the Wilkes games, but that’s about it. Our schedule here means I’m in over my head.

One thing’s for sure: the team looks good on paper, and the staff behind the bench is competent. But there are virtually no returning players from last year. It takes time to set up a system and all that, and it’s even worse if you have to start again the following year.

The Rocket has been unlucky and had a tough start to the season in terms of opponents.

The predictions were that Laval would make the playoffs without a hitch, so I think it’s just a matter of games, if not weeks, before everything settles down and the Rocket take their stride.

Extension

We all saw the terrible accident involving Adam Johnson last weekend.

When I mentioned not being able to write my article, it was because Adam Johnson’s best friend plays for us, Jarrett Lee. We were made aware of Adam’s passing immediately after our game in Fort Wayne and had to deal with it internally.

More than half the team knew Adam and saw the photos and videos circulating all over social networks, so let’s just say the article became secondary at that point.

Jarrett Lee will be wearing #47 tonight for the opening match in his honor.

The Sunday after the tragedy, we ordered a neck protector for the whole team and made it mandatory for everyone. Our AHL team did the same.

I was talking about it on the radio last week, but it’s time field hockey adjusted to this danger.

I’m the first to be surprised that there aren’t more incidents, because the game is made fast, players fall and an accident can happen so quickly. I understand that in the old days, the neck protector practically prevented breathing and was almost a cervical collar. Now we’re somewhere else.

The ones we’ve ordered are the same thickness as a t-shirt. The players love them and don’t see any difference versus if they weren’t wearing them.

I haven’t been able to find anything more recent, but I have no choice but to talk about women’s field hockey. I’ve been lucky enough to know this field and I’ve remained attached to the Carabins.

I’d advise anyone in or around the Montreal area to go and see a game at the CEPSUM, you’ll be amazed.

The Carabins didn’t get off to the desired start this year, having won just one game after five. You have to go back several years to see an unsuccessful start from them.

I’m convinced they’ll manage to right the ship with Isabelle at the helm and promising young coach Marie-Eve making her official debut in the USports world, having coached for several years and taking part in everything to stay at the top of her game.

I make every effort to watch the games, and was lucky enough to watch the majority of this Friday’s match. A hotly contested game.

I now hope that the Carabins will take off and that Marie-Eve can finally sign her contract, as she still hasn’t made anything official since I left Montreal.

For those of you who like a behind-the-scenes look at a field hockey team, here’s the^3rd chapter from us this season. Enjoy.

This ends my article, I’m off to do my pre-game video with my team. Once again, thank you all. Have a good Sunday and we’ll talk again @Mitch_Giguere.