What a Week!
Hey everyone, what a week it has been. I wanted to update this sooner but we have had one heck of a week with travel, and I left my laptop in Rockford. I am currently sitting in the business center of the Courtyard Marriott in freezing downtown Grand Rapids Michigan. It has been one heck of a week both on and off the ice for our team. Since I last updated my blog, we have played 4 games in 5 nights in 2 different cities. In the American league it is pretty normal for a team to play 3 games in 3 nights and sometimes even 7 games in 10 nights. This week was by far the craziest scheduling I have experienced in four years of pro hockey. We played Friday and Saturday night in Rockford and then had a Sunday afternoon game in San Antonio, TX. The travel would not have been bad if we were an NHL team because we could have flew to Texas Saturday night right after the game. Since we don't charter in the AHL, the earliest flight we could take was on Sunday morning at 10:00am. We got to the rink in Rockford, packed our equipment onto the bus, and drove to Chicago O'Hare airport at 7:00am. We checked in and went through the security screening process in about an hour, leaving us about a half hour to grab a quick breakfast. We then landed in San Antonio around 1:30 and drove right to the rink to get ready to play. Sunday afternoon games are always pretty difficult for us to get our legs, especially when you play on Friday and Saturday. Then factor in the crazy travel on Sunday, we knew that we were going to be extremely focused to come away with a victory. We played a pretty good game, but we knew we were a much better team than we showed. Despite that, we still managed to gain a point in the standings and remain in first place with a shootout loss. Our team was disappointed we didn't get the win, but we rebounded nicely on Tuesday with a 4-1 win. Because of the schedule, we ended up having quite a bit of down time in San Antonio. What a beautiful city! The river walk is very scenic and there are tons of great restaurants to eat at. I was disappointed I didn't take a trip over to see the Alamo, but I guess that can wait until next time. One of my favorite things about being a professional athlete is being able to travel and experience cities I probably wouldn't ever see if I was in a different profession. Because of that, I always try and get out of the hotel and see as much of the city as I can. I don't understand how some players hole up in the hotel and order room service in every city we go to. I feel the travel is one of the biggest perk to being an athlete, and I try to take advantage of that as much as possible. On the ice, our team has been on absolute fire. We are unbeaten in regulation in our last 11 games, and hope to make that 13 before we get our much welcomed Christmas break. It is exciting being on such a young team that is enjoying so much success so far this season. If you live in the Chicago area, I strongly suggest you make it out to Rockford to watch the Icehogs play. Our fans are always enthusiastic and the Barn Yard is a great place to watch a game. This will be my last blog until after the Christmas break, so I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and I hope everyone is able to spend it among friends and family. For me, this will be my first Christmas at home with my family since I was a freshman in college so I am really excited. Merry Christmas everyone and as always, keep the questions coming, -Richie
milbs066 said December 21, 2007
ShakespeareD said December 21, 2007
Great blog. What is your favorite city to visit? Have a Merry Christmas.
PsychoBuddhist said December 21, 2007
In regards to travel, what would you say is your favorite to visit? Where did you find the best food?
Cheers.
PB
zakhawk91 said December 27, 2007
Great blog again man and thank you for posting. I live in Dallas(unfortunately) and I was lucky enough to talk to u a bit when the Hawks came down here on Halloween.And thank you for throwing me a puck. Did you visit Dallas, and if so where did you go?
-Zak
jackamo said December 28, 2007
I was sitting by your bench at the wolves/rockford game last night and didn't know how else to say hello....If you know the name matt vuk than we've met before, and i just wanted to say hi. you played a great game, except for the whole ejection thing, but i had a lot of fun anyways. well best of luck to you and if you ever want to chat email Jackamo85@aol.com
cnhawk said December 29, 2007
With Vandermeer traded, Wiz and Sopel both hurt...your timing could not have been better with your goal and assist performance against the Wolves on Thursday. I have a good feeling that you are going to be recalled. I think you'll take the opportunity and run with it and do really really well.
I hope I'm right.
Craig N.
mookie1k said December 30, 2007
(I know, I know.)
Anyway, I suspect you might not be there for awhile though-
Especially if you keep playing the way you are.
Thanks for finding the time to Blog.
retoocs said December 31, 2007
mookie1k said January 01, 2008
I ghad a feeling you were on the way back up when I posted my previous.
Congrats, Mr. Richmond!
cnhawk said January 13, 2008
Thought you played very well in the first los angeles game( so did Savard, he said so in the suntimes), the anaheim game as well( dan k. and eddie o. gave you props on t-v) then suddenly no action in the third period of the wings game of the canadiens game. Did Dale or Savvy say anything when you were sent back down ??
also, congrats on the game in milwaukee, on the ice for both late third period goals, then you scored in the shoot-out !! fantastic. Hopefully, a recall in the near future.
zakhawk91 said February 18, 2008
All the best bro,
Zak
newfan1 said February 19, 2008
I am a new hockey fan and enjoy watching you play. You play like you love the game and want to win. With that passion, you will be back in the NHL in no time. Fight hard for what you want and don't give up. Sorry to hear about your injury and hope you make a quick recovery. I heard you will be out for the rest of the season, will you still go to the games to support the rest of the team? Do any of the players that are injured go to the games and do the meet and greets? Thanks for playing so hard, that makes watching hockey fun, that and the fights!
battalion3 said December 01, 2008
My son is playing travel hockey for two years now and has come a long way after a really bad Fracture to his humerus. He has been faithfull following you in games and on line because you both share the same name "Danny Richmond" he recently told me that you are now with Pittsburgh. Danny is a Pee Wee now and if this is the case he will get to see you much more than he did with the Blackhawks. He asked me to email you and see if you will be in Philadelphia on December 15th? He would love to meet you.
Sleddawg3@yahoo.com stay safe and healthy!
battalion3 said December 01, 2008
newfan1 said December 02, 2008