Monday, January 28, 2013
Helmer Marches On!
Bryan Helmer
When the
news flashed across the screens recently that Bryan Helmer had signed with the
Springfield Falcons to play hockey, it came as no surprise to hockey observers
in the Quinte area. We have followed Helmer’s career for the past several
years.
By no means
was the start to his hockey career auspicious. He had been invited to the
Belleville Bulls’ training camp in 1989. Both he and Tod Lavender were asked to
clean their lockers after a few exhibition games. Helmer decided to join Tod in
Wellington, and moved into the Lavender home, perhaps for the weekend. He
seemed to enjoy Diane’s cooking, and Garry’s wit. He stayed four years.
As the
announcer/scorekeeper and occasional timer, I had a front row seat for all of
Hermy’s games. From the very start, he appeared to be a man among the kids. He
was taller, stronger, and had great hockey instincts. Throughout his career in
the Metro Juniour Hockey League, he was an all star. Most of us could not
fathom why Larry Mavety, the coach of the Bulls, had no interest in Helmer. We
looked at it, from a Dukes’ perspective, as their loss, our gain.
From that
moment on, we have followed Helmer’s career with great interest. No matter
where he played, it was always an experience he relished. Never once did he
take the situation for granted. Throughout his career, he knew he was playing a
kid’s game, and getting paid for it. The journey has taken him far and wide in
the hockey circles, for almost 25 years.
I heard from
Bryan a couple of days ago. “I’m very excited about playing my 20th
year (as a professional hockey player). I am so lucky to play this long.” Most
of us who know Bryan, luck has little to do with it. Just plain hard work.
We went to
see Bryan play in Montreal when he was with the St. Louis Blues. I spoke with
coach Joel Quenneville after the game, and he said that he was very pleased
with Helmer’s game. We waited for some time to meet Helmer after the game. He
was winding down on the stationary bike for almost fifteen minutes. He was
thrilled to meet family and friends, with a large contingent from the
Winchester area. Habs Hall of Famer Larry Robinson also hails from Winchester,
and was Helmer’s idol from day one.
Helmer made
the quantum leap from the Wellington Dukes to the American Hockey League Albany
River Rats to begin his pro career. He spent five years with the Rats before
moving on. And move he did, year after year: Las Vegas, Worcester, Phoenix, St.
Louis, Worcester again, and then Vancouver. Take a deep breath, I’m not
finished.
Kansas City,
Vancouver, Winnipeg, Springfield, Phoenix, Grand Rapids, San Antonio, Hershey,
Washington, Oklahoma City, and Springfield again. Simply doing what he loved,
and, yes thanks, I will take a pay cheque.
I can assure
you that no matter where he played, he was loved. He did what it takes to help
in the communities in which he played. He visited hospitals and schools, signed
a million autographs, posed for photographs. Always the consummate
professional. On several occasions, he has been selected as team captain, by
his teammates.
Helmer often
returns to Wellington for the Garry Lavender Memorial Golf tournament. When the
old Duke Dome was put to rest, and the Essroc Centre opened in Wellington, he
made a special trip to the village to drop the puck, before continuing his
career in Oklahoma City.
Every time
he steps on the ice, he adds to his record of playing more games than any other
defenceman in the AHL. With 563 helpers, he has assisted on more goals than any
other defenceman in the history of the league. Only two other individuals, Willie
Marshall and Fred Glover played more seasons in the AHL, one more than Hermy.
We will not be surprised to see him in uniform again next season, likely in the
AHL.
James Hurst
Sportslices.blogspot.com
# posted by James Hurst @ 1:53 PM 
