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The Official Publication of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Booster ClubVolume 1, No. 9 March-April 2018
The Witz...continued on page 5
Eric Witzel is a favorite of Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs fans. On the ice, he is simply “Witz.” It’s a hockeytradition that players have a short on-ice nickname. Born in Oshawa, Ontario just outside of Toronto 25 yearsago, he worked his way to Roanoke. The eldest son of Don and LynneWitzel, he grew up loving hockey with his younger brother, Luke. His firstmemory of hockey is watching the games with his family. He especiallyloved watching the games between the Toronto Maple Leafs and theChicago Blackhawks. Eric was a Blackhawks fan.
Eric said that he and his brother were always competitive on the ice andconceded that he thought his brother was the more talented of the two.But Luke’s passion was more for the off-ice work related to hockey. Lukegot his BSc in Human Kinetics and is now an Exercise Physiologist, develop-ing programs for and guiding elite athletes in all sports at an Ottawatraining company called Peak Performance.
Eric confided that although he and his brother were always competitive, itwas competition in a good way. Don Witzel, Eric’s father, who attended theFamily Weekend here in Roanoke, confirmed that growing up it was“always one battle or another being waged but they are still best buddiesand more so now with the distance.”
Getting to Know The “Witz”by Linda “Hatty” Hart and Nick Prout
© Michelle Hancock 2018Eric Witzel charges the net as Fayetteville’s Patrick Spano tries but fails to block the shot. This was one of two goals he scoredin the 5-3 win on February 9, 2018.
Courtesy of Don WitzelEric’s younger brother wears a “C”during his active playing days.
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From the EditorHatty
Grant Street Digital, Canton, SDDale Ducheneaux: [email protected]
Booster Club OfficersBobby Woolwine, PresidentTommy Boothe, 1st Vice-PresidentCarol Mason Murray, 2nd Vice-PresidentBrittany Leftwich, SecretaryBarbara Woolwine, TreasurerBrad Melton, Member at-largeTammy Overfelt, Member at-large
Printing
Newsletter Staff
Newsletter Contributors
Newsletter SubmissionsNewsletter articles, photos, andadvertising should be submitted to:
Linda “Hatty” [email protected]
Advertising
Editor & Publisher ................ Linda HartStaff Photographer .......... Robert HartPhotojournalist ....... Michele HancockFeature Writer ............ Maggie DrewryFeature Writer ............... David A. BlissPlayer Updates .............. Joey OverfeltAdvertising Manager ..... Dianne ProutAdvertising ......................... Nick ProutCopy Editor ................ Gina M. Polster
Contact Dianne Prout [email protected] for an advertisingrate sheet.
David BlissMichele HancockRobert HartBrittany LeftwichCourtney PlasterGina Polster
Karley PorterDianne ProutNick ProutDon WitzelBobby Woolwine
I have always wanted to be a writer. I read the newspaper with mydad before I ever started school. As with many people, my careerpath diverged from my childhood dream until now. I wanted towrite for a newspaper and you gave me the opportunity to createmy own, complete with a talented staff of writers, interviewers,photographers, copy editors and marketers. As editor and pub-lisher, I gave myself a choice assignment: to interview my favoriteplayer and devote much of this issue to him.
This decision also led me to question how to refer to the player inthe profile. Newspapers use the surname exclusively after writingthe name the first time. However, I am in a group of booster clubmembers responsible for a hockey house. My husband Bob, alongwith David Bliss and Nick and Dianne Prout set up the house andmake grocery runs and deliveries. We think of ourselves as houseparents.
Matt Zenzola, John Gustafsson, Cam Bakker and Eric Witzel are theplayers in our house. We can’t help but consider them “our boys”and I would not feel right calling one of my boys by his surnamealone. That is far too cold for my taste. So, I am breaking all therules and writing about Eric. We all know he is a Witzel and wearsnumber 24 and that teammates call him “Witz” on the ice.
I was fortunate to meet Eric’s dad and girlfriend during the FamilyWeekend in February. Don Witzel and I have managed to stay intouch and he has contributed much to this issue. Don, his wifeLynne and Eric’s girlfriend Alesha, believe Eric when he says that weare going to make the playoffs. I and all of us booster club houseparent’s also believe in him and in his teammates. We believe intheir passion, their talent and their coaching. That is what inspiredme propose the “We Believe” proclamation that appears on theback cover of this newsletter.
We will always believe in the dream! We thank you, Coach Dan andGM Mickey, for the talented and gritty players you bring to our ice.In my not too humble opinion, you have done a bang up job! GODAWGS! N N N N N
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President’s Message • A Tale of Two SeasonsBobby Woolwine
Bobby Woolwine © 2018
Bobby Woolwine
Our hockey season startedmuch like it ended lastseason, with our teamstruggling to stay out of thecellar. On December 18th theownership group felt achange was necessary andSam Ftorek was relieved ofhis duties and Dan Bremnertook over the coaching jobof the Rail Yard Dawgs. While Sam was one ofthe nicest gentlemen you will ever meet hesimply could not produce wins behind thebench in Roanoke, therefore a change wasmade.
In comes Dan Bremner and like several of theRail Yard Dawgs employees he is an alumni ofthe Peoria organization. With mixed emotionswe welcomed Lieutenant Dan to the Star City.
I have to admit I did not remember himplaying in the SPHL but we do not play Peoriavery often. He was known as a tough player
that you did not enjoy playing against, as he fought you forevery inch of real estate on the ice. According to players whohad played for Sam these two coaches were polar opposites.
For whatever reason his coaching style turned things aroundand our franchise began winning like never before. We ran offa long string of wins and became playoff contenders. Teamsthat thought they were easily in the playoffs suddenly lookedup and saw the Dawgs and the Bulls right behind them.
Now there is a battle between four teams for three playoffspots. At the writing of this article we could finish anywherefrom 6th to 9th. But one thing is for sure, this has been anexciting season and none of us will forget how we went from ateam near the cellar to one that is going down to the wirefighting for a playoff spot.
I truly believe that the top three teams will not be excited toplay us come playoff times. Whether we finish 6th or 9th I amvery proud to be a member of the Rail Yard Dawgs BoosterClub and a fan of the Dawgs.
You guys have done the Star City proud with your efforts, wewill not soon forget this team. Thank you for an excitingseason. NNNNN
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Eric first knew that he wanted to play professional hockey atage 13. He said that this was the first time he faced real adver-sity when he was cut from an AA team. He never wanted toexperience that again and this steeled his determination towork harder and get better. He played his junior hockey withthe Central Canada Hockey League that boasts of helping itsplayers advance to the NCAA or CHL and assists their develop-ment both on the ice and academically.
Don Witzel recalled that Eric wanted to play NCAA Hockeyafter high school and did a lot of his own footwork in selectinga school. He played initially for State University of New York atOswego and transferred to SUNY Canton where he played hislast two years. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Health& Fitness Promotion.
Eric’s favorite NHL player was Martin “Mach 9” Havlat whoretired from the NHL just last year. He was a Blackhawk, ofcourse. He used Havlat as a role model for his play on and offthe ice. He expressed how really excited he was to have methim in person. This experience of meeting someone he lookedup to as a role model may have helped mold interactions withfans.
Young fans are really special to him and this was confirmed bythe mother of one of his newest fans. Courtney Plaster and her11 year old daughter Zoe had never attended an ice hockeygame in their lives. Courtney describes it this way: “I decidedto take my daughter to see the Rail Yard Dawgs on free hatnight. Zoe quickly noticed the sweet moves of #24 and afterseeing him score, decided that she had to get his autograph.We bought an Eric Witzel button from the Boosters just for thatpurpose. Well she made it down the stairs and met Eric and agot his autograph on that button and Eric said, ‘Do you want apicture with me?’ Of course she said ‘Yes’ and the rest ishistory.
“Witzel has a lifetime fan and Zoe hopes to see him and therest of the team on Saturday, 31 March 2018 to get everyone’sautograph on poster give-away night.”
Don Witzel knows how Eric’s personality always shinesthrough. He and Lynne are understandably proud of theireldest son and the man he has become. Don says that he willdo his best to make a game or two when, not if, we get to theplayoffs. He and Lynne and Eric’s girlfriend, Alesha Hellyer,who was also in Roanoke for the Family Weekend, believe inEric and believe in the team.
Eric lives in a hockey house with Matt Zenzola, Cam Bakker andJohn Gustafsson and Gus’s rescue dog Milo. They all enjoy
The Witz ... continued from page 1
The Witz...continued on page 5
Milo’s company and see him sitting on theledge of a bay window in Gus’s room waitingfor them to drive back from practice. Whenthey are on the road, Milo stays with equip-ment manager Gavin Bechtol’s black pitnamed Ox. Ox has become an unofficialmascot and watches every practice at theBerglund.
During the off-season Eric returns to Ottawawhere he keeps in shape working in landscap-ing. He enjoys the work outdoors in thesummer and is involved in both soft-scapeand hard-scape. “Lifting pavers and stones isgood for staying in shape but I will be trainingas well to get ready to come back to Roanokenext season.” Eric said that he really wantedto come here to Roanoke because of DanBremner and everything he heard about theteam.
When asked what he liked best aboutRoanoke, he summed it up with one word
“CHEDDARS.” He would love to see thisrestaurant up in Canada where he could eatthere everyday. He says that he is a regular at
© Courtney Plaster 2018Zoe gets to meet her favorite player who came out ofthe locker room when he was told by security that ayoung fan was waiting for 30 minutes just for him.
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The Witz ... continued from page 5
© Michelle Hancock 2018We don’t know for sure if this is the most ever paid for a game wornminor league jersey, but we do know that $2150 is not pocket change.
Cheddars and keeps trying and loving everydish he tries.
The team is determined to play their lastseven games like they are championshipgames. Eric made it all the way to the SPHLfinals last year with the Peoria Rivermen andis hungry to win it all. He said that the coachand players don’t spend all of their practicetime on the ice. They spend time watchingvideo of their action on the ice from the priorgame and watch video of their nextopponent’s last game looking for any vulner-abilities they might exploit.
Eric was named SPHL Warrior Player of theWeek for February 5-11. Witzel scored fivegoals, including two with the man advantageand one shorthanded, added two assists andwas +4 as the Rail Yard Dawgs went 3-0 for theweek to extend their franchise-best winstreak to four games at that point. It was thatshorthanded goal versus Fayetteville and hispure grit and determination on the ice thatmade him a total fan favorite.
When asked about that penalty kill and his shorthanded goal,he said “it was the kind of thing you dream about but neveractually expect to happen.” During that 4 minute penalty killdefenseman Joe Sova lost his stick in the neutral zone and Ericwho is 5’10" gave up his stick to Sova who is 6’3". Play seemedto go on forever as Eric used his skates and body to blockshots. Finally, after more than 2 exhausting minutes the puckcame back into the neutral zone where Witzel was able toretrieve Sova’s stick and took a breakout pass from Ben Bauerto score an amazing shorthanded goal to the amazement anddelight of the Roanoke fans.
If you are looking to relive that incredible moment, you needonly go to YouTube and enter “Eric Witzel Goal” to find thevideo. Many of his fans have watched it so many times, theyhave the play action memorized.
If you want to get a feel for just how popular Eric Witzel is withDawgs fans, just look to the results of the Military Night JerseyAuction. Eric’s jersey brought an incredible $2150.00! The NHLAlex Ovechkin jersey was raffled off by the booster club andbrought in only $800.00 after expenses. Eric clearly rankssignificantly higher than the Caps “Great 8” with Rail YardDawgs fans!
What will Eric do when he retires from professional hockey?He sees himself coaching and never being very far from thegame he loves. His passion is contagious and has infected all ofhis fans here in Roanoke and more than a few in Ottawa aswell. NNNNN
© Michelle Hancock 2018Eric Witzel‘s intensity was on full display in the gamesleading up to him being named SPHL Warrior Playerof the Week for February 5-11.
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Q and A with a Hockey Dadby Linda “Hatty” Hart with Don Witzel
Don Witzel spent a few days in Roanoke during the FamilyWeekend in February. He graciously allowed me to send himsome questions by email so we could all better understand thelife of a hockey parent and learn a bit more about his son, Eric.
Q Did you do the early morning trips to the rink for Eric topractice?
A Can’t be a Hockey Dad without those killer Saturday andSunday mornings when they first start playing… fortunatelyand also because we had TWO playing competitive hockey,Eric’s mother Lynne is also an avid Hockey Mom and manytimes, the duties had to be split in destination and timing.
Q Did you spend much time traveling for hockey while he wasgrowing up?
A My wife Lynne and I love the game but we loved watchingthe boys play even more – and still do! There were prac-tices, games, tournaments, special events – we did it alland we did it anywhere! We also were very involvedourselves where I was the team manager pretty well all theway through BOTH boys’ minor hockey, my wife did tourna-ment coordination, and I even served as scorekeeper,music player, video cameraman, and “the voice” of the lastfive or six teams the boys played on locally as well. Soyeah, quite a bit of time and travel indeed.
In fact, very seldom did we even miss practices and cer-tainly not games, right on into college and beyond now. Ifnot regularly traveling to live games at Oswego, Canton andcloser to home colleges they played, we definitely followalong from the comfort of our rec room online through hiscollege days and on to today, still watching every game Ericplays. And Dad even heads out once in a while to watchLuke play in beer leagues now that he’s past his competi-tive hockey days and I always look forward to watchingboth of them play summer hockey when ALL the local proscome back home and everyone puts on the most amazingshow of skills & hockey trickery imaginable.
Q I’ve heard stories about Eric being in love with dinosaurs.Does that interest persist? And, does he have any otherpassions?
A Eric was still only about 4 or 5 when he first took a fancy todinosaurs. I’d hate to think it all got started with the TVshow “Barney” but I’m sure it had an influence. We wouldbuy him all these plastic dinos and he would quote theirproper names one by one. And these weren’t just T-Rex’sand Brontosauruses – he knew the Ankylosaurus andSpinosaurus, Diplodocus and Iguanodon,Pachycephalosaurus and Velociraptor long before Jurassic
Courtesy of Don WitzelA young Eric Witzel is wearing the “C” for theCumberland Barons Hockey team.
Courtesy of Don Witzel6 year old Eric played in the “Initiation Program” forthe TImBits. The sponsor of the team is Tim Horton’s, aCanadian institution.
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Park came out. And he would tote these aroundwith him, holding absolutely as many has he couldcarry, dropping them constantly and picking themup while still juggling the rest – everywhere hewould go. Too funny for words… And does thispersist today? Well, despite having the initialimpression that “it’s a kid’s show,” when Alesha,Eric and I went to the Dinosaur Show in Roanokeon Players/Parents Weekend, I’m pretty sure hehad a LOT of fun reminiscing and recalling so manynames he knew, as well as spotting some newones that were just as intriguing.
Other passions include music (C&W, modern),learning to play guitar, and Eric wants to carry on ahockey legacy as coach, advisor and/or agent oneday ; his time playing for Cornwall last year ledhim to recommend players to Coach Dan who havebeen very good acquisitions in Cam Bakker, YanDumontier and Maxime Guyon.
The dinosaur question led to a similar one asked ofEric:
© Robert Hart 2018A Spinosaurus as identified by Eric. This dino has good tasteand is sporting Hatty’s hat. Wait, he doesn’t look like a “vege-sauris.” Has anyone seen Hatty?
© Don Witzel 2018This very rare Witzelsaurus was caught on camera as itemerged from its shell at the Dinosaur Show held at theBerglund.
Q The Berglund had a Dinosaur event during theFamily Weekend. Can you tell me what thisdinosaur is? Do you still like the dinosaurs andwould you have gone to Jurassic Park?
A I guess as a kid everyone has their favorite toy ortoys to play with and mine were dinosaurs. I’m abig fan of the Jurassic park movies and would forsure attend the park if they existed. But now daysI find it interesting such big creatures walked thisearth but I haven’t retained the knowledge I hadas a kid...but that dinosaur is a Spinosaurus, hardto forget that one. Ha Ha! NNNNN
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Our First Road Tripby Linda “Hatty” Hart and Brittany Leftwich
The Rail Yard Dawgs Booster Club went on their firstRoad Trip on Saturday, March 10. There were 46members on the bus from Roanoke and other boostersjoined with them in Knoxville.
This was the last in a series of 7 away games for theDawgs. The team played in Macon the night before. Allof the fans had a great time and loved supporting theirteam! Undeterred by the final score, we vow to take tothe road again to support our Dawgs. Plus, it was fun toride with other fans. N N N N N
© Robert Hart 2018The team could not help but notice this section of the arena filled with very loud Rail Yard Dawgs fans! All but one of the goals wasscored right in front of the booster club section. Unfortunately, this was the shoot-once end of the ice for us. Next time we willrequest the shoot-twice end. But we got to witness both Dawgs goals during the second period.
© Robert Hart 2018The booster club members lined up en mass to enter the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.
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Knoxville • March 10, 2018
© Robert Hart 2018The Dawgs were relentless in shooting and buzzing the net buthad a difficult time getting the puck past Troy Davenport.
© Robert Hart 2018The Dawgs did score twice in front of their boosters. This is theshot by Maxime Guyon making its way past Knoxville TroyDavenport.
© Robert Hart 2018Katie Ashworth and Shirley Holt along side one of the localmascots at the game.
© Tommy Booth 201846 seats filled with members and non-members headed toKnoxville to support the Dawgs.
© Carolyn Mason Murray 2018Pit stop for dinner prior to getting to the arena. Pictured frontare Dan and Ann Boothe, Bob and Kathy Stevens in second row,and Faye Curren and Mary Hinman in back.
© Darryl Murray 2018Bus riding Tommy Boothe, Brittany Leftwich and Carolyn MasonMurray.
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Shakers RestaurantValley View Mall
7:00 PMMonday - April 9, 2018
Dinner at 5:30 – 7:00
Business meeting begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. It issuggested that if you want to eat, try to come around 5:30in order to give the servers ample time to bring food tous.
Next Booster Club Meeting
The Official Restaurant of theRoanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Booster Club
March Booster Club Meetingby Linda “Hatty” Hart
Dawgs players David Gandara and Chris Porter along with hiswife, Karley Porter, were dinner guests of the Rail Yard DawgsBooster Club at their business meeting on March 12, 2018.
Porter and his wife are both from Stouffville,Ontario. He played for the FayettevilleMarksmen prior to being acquired by theDawgs on February 22, 2018. He holds thedistinction of being the most booed opponentat the Berglund. When asked what the biggestdifference is between playing for Roanokeversus Fayetteville he replied “Winning!”with a grin. He said that the atmosphere in thelocker room is different as well. He told usthat the prime focus of players in Roanoke isbettering their game and this attitude iscontagious.
Forget those boos... Fans are ready to cheerour new Dawg who is already helping us lightthe lamp!
David Gandara is from Canyon Lake, Californiaand is one of the original three who startedlast year for the Rail Yard Dawgs. David andChris were roommates for 4 years at AmericanInternational College in Springfield, Massa-chusetts.
Speaking about the coaching style of DanBremner, Gandara described it as demandingwith every player being held accountable nomatter their prior on-ice performance. Headded, “If I blocked a shot with my face, hewould be excited and I’d be smiling on theway to the dentist.”
As far as superstitions are concerned, Gandarasaid that Brad Barone is probably the mostsuperstitious on the team. He quickly added,“But, Barone is a goalie!” as if to say no furtherexplanation was needed.
Gandara had a goal, assist and a fight for a“Gordie Howe hat trick” in the March 9 gameagainst the Macon Mayhem. The goal was thefirst time both he and Porter were on the icetogether since college. Porter assisted onGandara’s goal.
Both Gandara and Porter said they lovedseeing the large booster club contingent atthe Knoxville road game on March 10. NNNNN
© Robert Hart 2018New Dawgs player Chris Porter and his wife Karley (seated) and DavidGandara are guests of the booster club at our meeting on March 12.
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End of the Regular Season Party • March 25, 2018As we do each year, an End of the Season party was held on Sunday, March 25. Players dined on steak, burgersand hot dogs provided by the Booster Club. Players were presented with photo collages of their time with theteam. Brittany Leftwich and Michelle Hancock put these together while boosters signed the matting of theframed pictures.
This party only represents the end of the REGULAR season. Booster Club members dream of a remarkable Post-Season! Five games are left at publication of this newsletter and 4 are against league leading Peoria. But wehave no fear because we believe in our Dawgs! NNNNN
© Karley Porter 2018
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1. Joe Sova enjoyed the party and did not shy away from themany requests for photos.
2. Ben Greiner (right) and Cam Bakker autograph a flag forthe grandchildren of Tim & Darby Tenon.
3. Steve Mele spent time mingling with the fans beforeeveryone began the meal.
4. Maxine Guyon (left) and Yan Dumontier enjoying theirsteaks with their fans.
5. Eric Witzel shows off his momento from his season withthe team.
6. Chris Porter has proof of his ability to turn “haters” intosuper fans!
7. Daniel Vernace (right) talks with Brandon Fisher duringdinner.
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As we enter the final games of the season; we want you,our players, to know:
We BELIEVE in your talent.We BELIEVE in your passion.We BELIEVE in your coaching.
We BELIEVE in our ROANOKE RAIL YARD DAWGS hockey team!
WE BELIEVE
Barry AldrichBella Pizza Italian RestaurantTara & Steve BernardJoseph & Laurie BevanDavid, Marie & Will BlissDan & Ann BootheTommy, Kari & Gunnar BootheMark & Colleen BramblettJohn CampbellCheddars at Valley ViewThe Cole FamilyComfort Suites at RidgewoodFarmsCorbin’s ConfectionsSheree & Gary CrawfordBill & Vickie CullopFaye Shively Curren, RealtorBarbara & Joe DevlinGreg & Terry DowdyDr. Auto Spa Auto DetailingMaggie DrewryRaymond DunbarThe English FamilyFlying Mouse BreweryCorey, Nikki & Brandon Fisher
Tony & Kay FisherLavelle GlennColton GreerBonnie & Chip GrubbMichelle & John HancockRobert & Hatty HartAlesha HellyerMary HinmanShirley & George Holt & Katie &EmmaHometown BankPolla JonesMelvin & Beth JonesLinda, Mike & Matthew KolnokBrittany LeftwichSam & Vicki LionbergerMamma Maria’s SalemKelly, Riley & Cameron MatutinaChris & Sabrina McCarthyDon MeltonEric & Ginny MercerTom, Sharon, Thomas & MayaMouginO’Briens MeatsWally, Kim, Kaylee and CameronO'Conner
Steven OrachoKassidy & Courtney PetersPhillip, Susan, Haley & CaitlinPoindexterNick & Dianne ProutReminis RestaurantKyle, Beth, Hoyt & AidanRichardsonRoanoke College Dining ServicesJohnie RoySal’s Italian RestaurantSam SampsonTeresa SaundersJared SniderSparks Family Farm at SalemFarmers MarketSports HavenBob & Kathy StevensRobert, Heather & Jeremy TannerTim & Darby TenonDennis & Peggy TinsleyVirginia Transportation MuseumLynne, Don & Luke Witzel&Grandmama & Grandpapa ForestJuanita WilsonBobby & Barb Woolwine
