Continued from The Early Years...
Pat was gracious to the kid during the interview, even brushing off the network film cameras so that Chuck could get the early exclusive.
Chuck never forgot that .
After the session, Pat suggested Chuck help out around the rink and get free ice time.
Chuck said, "Game On!"
It was at this time that Chuck made his entrance into professional entertainment.
He started as a rink-rat, gradually moving his way up to equipment boy ( unofficial title designated to him by Equipment Manager Ira Wilkes).
Job responsibilities included: jockstrap washer, equipment collector; peon and gofer. Hell, at his age, what kid wouldn't wash jockstraps for buck-fifty an hour cash?
He was employed (UNDER THE COVER EMPLOYMENT), at the age thirteen, by the Chicago Cougars hockey team. A professional, big-city hockey team!
He was rockin'!
The following is a true story that Chuck mentions quite frequently about life in professional hockey
It was a typical day at the Amphitheatre. Chuck was going around collecting all of the jockstraps for the next wash load, when all of a sudden he noticed Cougar defenseman Bobby Liddington applying, what looked like a heating pad, directly onto his stick!
Chuck looked puzzled for a moment then ran over to the team's trainer, Eddie Swiss. He asked him why Bobby needed the treatment.
Eddie looked up, then replied, "It's groin arthritis! All hockey players get it."
Since Chuck considered himself a hockey player it wasn't long before he sought the same therapy.
The day finally arrived and the team folded. It seems that the Chicago Cougars had become just another frozen cube on the ice.
Sure, Chuck still had the "arthritis," but now was not the time, he needed to find an alternative venue.
By chance, it'd be in the same place ...
The International Amphitheatre.
It's Only Rock And Roll...
|
