Player Reps?

[sherwood21 0]

It definitly is a cool job for many aspects. However, the reality isn't always nice. Players are extremely picky, and they change their mind all the time. If they're on a good serie of scoring, the skates/sticks are the reason why. As soon as they don't score for a few games in a row, then the products are the reason why.

Each rep has a territory. They visit their regular players before/after team practices, but still always try to attract the attention of other players using competitive stuff. The objective really is to get as many guys as possible on each team, but mainly the key players.

It's a lot of travelling too, which is always cool. Each NHL rep also takes care of CHL or AHL teams. From what I know, it's a pretty demanding job.

Dead on.

All of your points occur in other job areas as well. Picky customers, bitchy customers, ridiculous commutes, long hours at the office, its all in there. Don't think that only reps have it hard. Every job has its Pros and Cons. As an added bonus, their job's with the game they love and they work in a generally glamorous environment..

[mack 44]

That's like the one time I worked at Starbucks for like 4 hours and couldn't have my caramel macchiato fix for about a month.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

One thing that you would never understand is how the "game you love" changes when you get into this business. You will never, EVER, watch a hockey game as a fan, ever again!

I agree. I don't anymore and I'm not even a pro rep.

[pactfor 0]

why do you guys feel this way? just curious about the inside insight!

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Always on the lookout for what players are wearing, who's switched, who's got what, who you can get in your stuff...

[Chadd 916]

I just love watching the game and if I happen to see something, it's a bonus.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

The past few years have turned me off - but I have been watching more games this year. Haven't been to one yet - the past few years the only games I went to were my favorite team or if I knew a guy on the team.

[hockechamp14 0]

Always on the lookout for what players are wearing, who's switched, who's got what, who you can get in your stuff...

I was at the Yale vs. Waterloo game and was looking for half a period trying to see if the goalie had those illegial metal things on the indside.

[Jason Harris 31]

Big one is in Boston, then the small one in Vegas.  Next year the Boston show will be in MTL.

I have to give Doug Johnson credit. He is doing everything he can to keep the Vegas Show alive. He announced an innovative freight program for the dealers yesterday. Honestly, I wish the IHIA could learn how to be that proactive.

One thing that you would never understand is how the "game you love" changes when you get into this business. You will never, EVER, watch a hockey game as a fan, ever again!

I haven't found that to be true yet. I still love seeing the B's kick ass -- it just never happens.... ;)

[Chadd 916]

Big one is in Boston, then the small one in Vegas.  Next year the Boston show will be in MTL.

I have to give Doug Johnson credit. He is doing everything he can to keep the Vegas Show alive. He announced an innovative freight program for the dealers yesterday. Honestly, I wish the IHIA could learn how to be that proactive.

I thought it was a nice program that they're offering, I'm hoping to do Vegas this year but I'll probably end up in Boston if we don't get enough Vendors going to Vegas. Next year, I have no plans to go to Montreal in January.

[DarkStar50 679]

Next year, I have no plans to go to Montreal in January.

Chadd,

Montreal in January is not Siberia! If you love hockey and have not been to Montreal in January, then you have not experienced hockey as it really is. Montreal Canadiens crazed fans, Ste Catherine St, drive by the St Peter's Basilica of hockey- the Montreal Forum, Winston Churchill's bar and meet some Habs players, the most beautiful women in North America(I'm holding back on "the world"), tv announcers broadcasting a game in French and you still watch watch it, QMJHL games in Laval or Verdun - tomorrow's stars today( I saw Jimmy Carson, Stephen Lebeau, Eric Desjardins, Pierre Turgeon, and many other future NHLers in Junior in Verdun), and a little old fashioned Montreal snowstorm----- This is hockey the way it really is. Don't wimp out on us!!!!!!!!!!

[Eazy_b97 1]

I would've went with "They have strip clubs, lots of'em, indoors, with lots of liquor to warm you up. Then when we need a naked lady break, we can go to the hockey show"

[Chadd 916]

Next year, I have no plans to go to Montreal in January.

Chadd,

Montreal in January is not Siberia! If you love hockey and have not been to Montreal in January, then you have not experienced hockey as it really is. Montreal Canadiens crazed fans, Ste Catherine St, drive by the St Peter's Basilica of hockey- the Montreal Forum, Winston Churchill's bar and meet some Habs players, the most beautiful women in North America(I'm holding back on "the world"), tv announcers broadcasting a game in French and you still watch watch it, QMJHL games in Laval or Verdun - tomorrow's stars today( I saw Jimmy Carson, Stephen Lebeau, Eric Desjardins, Pierre Turgeon, and many other future NHLers in Junior in Verdun), and a little old fashioned Montreal snowstorm----- This is hockey the way it really is. Don't wimp out on us!!!!!!!!!!

I've been to Montreal in the summer and in the winter. It's a beautiful city and I would love to meet the many MSH members from that area. That said, It's a major pain in the ass for me to get there. I can spend 3/4 of a day flying and changing planes or an entire day driving. Neither is convenient for me. Plus, having the show on a weekend during the season is even more of a hardship for a small shop like mine. I don't have a bunch of kids working for me, it helps me make sure things are done correctly but it does limit my ability to be away from the shop fro an extended period of time. One day up, one day back and two at the show will be tough, especially considering the fact that my partner will be coming to the show as well.

[DarkStar50 679]

I would've went with "They have strip clubs, lots of'em, indoors, with lots of liquor to warm you up. Then when we need a naked lady break, we can go to the hockey show"

Chez Paris or Wicked Wanda's? So many babes, so little time!

Thanks for reminding me Eazy b94!

Chadd,

I understand your position in the shop. It is never easy to be out of the shop on a week-end.

[#96 0]

Dark Star/EZ...you had me at "Girls" period! When do I book my tickets???

Seriously though, can somone who doesn't work in a proshop go to the show? Do they have access time for consumers like me to browse the upcoming lines?

[Chadd 916]

Dark Star/EZ...you had me at "Girls" period! When do I book my tickets???

Seriously though, can somone who doesn't work in a proshop go to the show? Do they have access time for consumers like me to browse the upcoming lines?

Generally no but they did have to put up with a bunch of kids running around taking pictures like demented tourists in Toronto. That's what happens when dealers get credentials for their kids.