BLOOMINGTON, Ill- Mark Kincher started his career in hockey working for equipment instead of pay checks; but now Mark is earning his living doing something he loves, being equipment manager for the Bloomington Prairie Thunder.  Mark has traveled all over the country working his way up the ranks and mastering his craft.  He loves the sport of hockey and despite some of the tough demands he can’t imagine doing anything else.

Mark Kincher’s journey started in at a practice rink in Utah for a former IHL team, the Utah Grizzlies.  It was the preseason and Mark told one of his friends that he was going to try and get a free hockey stick.  “I went up to the equipment manager and told him I worked at the rink and asked if he needed any help.” Mark told me.  The equipment manager took Mark up on his offer and had him run errands for both the teams during the game that day and also had him pack everything up after the game.  “He offered me a job on game days; he told me that I would not be paid but I could get paid with equipment”  I guess Mark got his stick because he spent two seasons in Utah as the stick boy followed by 4 seasons as Assistant Equipment Manager.

After Utah Mark went and worked in the now defunct United Hockey League for the Motor City Mechanics.  Mark then went to what he describes as his favorite city to work in, Anchorage Alaska to work for the Alaska Aces in the ECHL.  “I don’t think any place could top that, it reminded me a lot of being home with the mountains.  Everyone there loved the team; it was like a miniature NHL team.”  Mark then sought out warmer climates by heading south to Houston to work for the Houston Aero's of the AHL.

Mark began working for the Bloomington Prairie Thunder on December 29^th, 2008. “( Bloomington) is one of the best cities I have worked in.  I enjoy not having to drive in traffic everyday and I like that we are so close to big cities like Chicago and St.Louis.”  Mark also loves the facilities in Bloomington.  “U.S. Cellular Coliseum is one of the better places I have worked at. It was built for hockey; I think the best part is having an attached practice rink, which makes my job easier.”

Mark’s job may sound fun, but it doesn’t come without plenty of hard work.  On a typical home game Mark arrives at the arena as early as 6:30am.  “I get to the rink early to make sure all the laundry is done, that the locker room is clean, and all the skates are sharpened.  I also do any repairs on the equipment that need to be done and put out the socks and jerseys for practice.”  Mark also helps to set up the visitors’ locker room; he constantly repairs equipment after the practice and during the games.  “I usually go home around midnight. It depends on the next day, if we play again the next day I may have to stay later.”

Mark said the worst part of my job is the hours he has to put in.  “Sometimes you have to miss events in your family such as birthdays”.  “My wife is very supportive, and sometimes her and my daughter will come to the rink with me; when I am at home, I dedicate all my time to them.”

Mark has a passion for hockey and it shows when he speaks of the current Bloomington team.  “I think we are one of the top teams (in the league), however we won’t be considered one until we prove ourselves in the playoffs.  I like our chances in the playoffs; I think we will surprise a lot of people.”  Mark told me that the chemistry between the guys is good, they all get a long.

 I also asked him about working with Coach Skalde, “I have known him for over ten years, and he was on the first team in Utah that I ever worked for.” The relationship between any coach and his equipment manger has to be close and Mark and Skalde’s is no exception.  “He trusts me more than most coaches trust their equipment managers.  He allows me to have complete control of the equipment, he even asks my opinion on players and decisions that he has to make; there are not many coaches out there that have this relationship.”

This is Mark’s 11^th year in the business and he has come a long way.  I asked Mark if he had any advice for youngsters who may be interested in becoming an equipment manager, “get in touch with an equipment manager, they are the ones who can get you started.  Working at a pro shop will also help by learning how to sharpen skates you will be headed in the right direction.

Mark recently started a blog on the internet, “I think everyone wants an inside look at what the players are doing and what goes on with the team”.  His blog, even though it hasn’t been up long, already has a loyal following.  “ Bloomington is still new to hockey, and positive information is always good.”  You can check Mark’s blog out at www.ptequipmentguy.blogspot.com. 

Contact justin.boyd@prohockeynews.com