League News

BEAR: Where were you born?

ZACH: I was born in Danvers, MA and then moved to Newburyport, MA.


BEAR: Where do you live now?

ZACH: Raised in Seabrook, NH until I got married and we bought our first home in Lee, NH.

BEAR: Team and position?

ZACH: After over 5 years on the waitlist I finally received the call to join Team Gold. I "play" (more like attempt to play) forward.

BEAR: Why play hockey?

ZACH: I was asked when I was a child by my parents if I'd rather play hockey or basketball. My dad was drafted very briefly into the NBA so I thought basketball would be the better route. And was I mistaken haha. Not much future for a 6'3" player who can’t dunk. So after playing in Europe for a summer and in college I decided to get into hockey with my close friends and have been playing ever since.

BEAR: Sometimes different sports can have obvious or even strange affinities. You notice anything about basketball that blurs into hockey?

ZACH: No not really. Hockey is such a different mindset than basketball. When you're playing basketball you almost shy away from any contact and then you have hockey haha.

BEAR: You are new to the league. How is it going so far?

ZACH: It's going so far. Different from my other team in Exeter. Just learning my new teammates and just trying to help out where needed and try and get Ws.

BEAR: Where did you play before this?

ZACH: I've run a team in Exeter since 2009 so I've been playing year around there since then and continue.

BEAR: What is the best thing or event that has happened to you while playing?

ZACH: Well it hasn't happened yet but I'm attempting to join the CHAD Battle of The Badges charity game for Team Fire. Hoping to contribute to a great charity.

BEAR: What is Team Fire?

ZACH: So there's a team that consists of players in the firefighting profession and there’s a team of players that are police officers. Team Fire can consist of fire fighters, EMS, or dispatchers. They hold three days of tryouts, usually in the fall, and then the charity game is in March/April at the SNHU Arena. If you make the roster you have a ton of awesome charity events to do and you also get paired off with a CHAD buddy. Your buddy is a sick/ill child at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and you get to do events with them and such. It's an awesome charity. It is just very tough to make the roster because some players played pro or juniors. Last year's tryout had a guy name Ashton Rome who retired from the Manchester Monarchs and is now a fire fighter. So that's the level of players you tryout against, hahaha.

BEAR: What is the worst thing or event that has happened to you while playing?

ZACH: I had a game in Exeter where my skate got wedged in the boards and I fractured my ankle. Same season I was head-hunted and had two concussions. So I currently have no idea what my name is and I walk with a limp haha.

BEAR: If you were lacing up your skates one day and the Hockey Genie appeared to give you 3 hockey-related wishes, what would they be?

ZACH: Oh man well first and foremost number one would to be as good as an NHL player. But that's kinda asking a lot at 31 years old. Second would be free amounts of beer in every locker room. Third would be free leagues for sure. I guess free everything haha

BEAR: Who would win a fight between a tarantula and a scorpion?  Why?

ZACH: Tarantula by a land slide. You ever see those little fuckers? They shoot hairs at their enemies.

BEAR: Do you learn anything from watching televised hockey?

ZACH: Yea that I'm nowhere near as skilled and that I should stick to C league.

BEAR: Where do you work?

ZACH: I currently work for Seabrook Fire, and I am a on call fire fighter with Lee.

BEAR: So with you it's like fire and ice?

ZACH: Yea I guess so haha. I don't know which one more though haha.

BEAR: What do you do there?

ZACH: Emergency Communications with Seabrook, and Fire Fighter with Lee.

BEAR: How many cats in trees have you saved?

ZACH: None. I'm allergic haha. Call a tree service company and cut the tree down.

BEAR: What's your skate sharpening profile preference?

ZACH: I go in and ask them to just do the standard haha.

BEAR: Do you think that fire has evolved alongside man?

ZACH: According to google, fire was before. So, yeah. Science, man. Wild stuff.

BEAR: How long do you estimate you will play hockey?

ZACH: Either until my body doesn't let me anymore or my wife says it's time to stop haha.

BEAR: If a meteor were headed straight for earth and you could save the planet by encapsulating hockey in only 5 words, what would they be?

ZACH: "I should’ve got into shape."

BEAR: If hockey were a soup, what soup would it be?  Explain your answer.

ZACH: Fat Burning Cabbage Soup. We all are exerting energy and burning fat but at the same time. We all have the worst smelling gear.

BEAR: If you could magically attain one skill from a specific NHL player, who is that player and what is the skill?

ZACH: That's a tough one. I would say Kane because of the absolute beauty of hands. Part of me wants to say Pavel Datsyuk because he's still playing at age 42 so he can play forever.


BEAR: When did you start skating on ice?  When did you start playing hockey?

ZACH: Started skating on ice around 2007 when I was a senior in high school. Started with a lot of stick practice and pond hockey. Then just got into a league and went from there.


BEAR: If you could change one thing about the coed league, what would it be?

ZACH: I mean I am new, so I don't fully know the positives and negatives of it yet. I know that it's way less chippy or physical, so maybe that? But that’s not even a big deal.


BEAR: Name a second thing.

ZACH: Oh, definitely no games past 930 at night haha. Nothing worse than a 10pm game.

BEAR: When is the last time you washed your equipment?

ZACH: Last week. I constantly make fun of one of my best friends because his gear is full of black mold and hasn’t been washed since he bought it 12 years ago. So I'm kinda forced to wash it if I'm talking shit.

BEAR: Any special washing procedure?

ZACH: I actually wash my uniforms with my gloves and elbows in the regular wash. The rest I will fully spray with a Lysol/water mix and let air dry in the sun. The Lysol procedure is usually done only twice a season and then again after the season ends.


BEAR: Do you consider yourself a Brooker?

ZACH: No haha i mean I moved to Seabrook when I was 1 years old and lived there until I was 25 but I wouldn't label myself as one. Love the town and everything but you don't have that right unless you have roots in this town and you were also born here. I have an accent though that I’ve been told comes out sometimes, so I guess there's something there haha.

BEAR: What's your go-to move in a shootout? 

ZACH: Pretty much to just put the puck on net. If I try too much I’ll definitely fuck it up.


BEAR: What do you wish it was?

ZACH: I've always been a fan on Patrick Kane's shootout moves when he comes in and hits the breaks and does about 15 stick handles and then scores. So smooth.


BEAR: Ever wanted to play goalie?

ZACH: No never haha. The thought of having ringers fire pucks directly at me isn’t something that sounds fun. Especially if a puck finds an area without padding.

BEAR: How do you think playing hockey effects your life?

ZACH: Hockey keeps me active. I try and play two times a week so it's a great alternative to just lifting weights. Plus it's a good time hanging around everyone and such.


BEAR: Favorite hockey movie? Are there any good hockey movies?

ZACH: D3 Mighty Ducks. I have always loved those movies, but I was a fan of the older ones when they were facing the varsity team instead of team Iceland or the Hawks. Goon is another good one. Doug Glatt is a beast.


BEAR: Favorite professional hockey player?

ZACH: I would have to say Mike Green. I know he's not a superstar but he was a decent offensive forward. Just liked his game when he was with Washington and Detroit. Wished we could've seen him with a longer career.

BEAR: Last question. What are you going to do without hockey for 2 weeks?

ZACH: Wallow in self-pity haha. I'm finally used to playing two times a week and now none. I'll have to create Team Gold in NHL 20 haha!

BEAR: Tastes great or less filling?

ZACH: Great taste definitely haha!