Flames team host for the China trip shares his experiences on Reddit

[AC]

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comm...flames_at_the/

"I was hired by Bloomage, the Chinese company working with the NHL for the China Games, to be a team host for the Calgary Flames. Basically, my job was to travel with the team, make sure their transportation was organized, and translate for them if needed. I had an amazing time with the team and I thought I would share my experiences"

"​One of the most memorable stories from the trip came post-game in Shenzhen. After the game, the players all boarded the bus headed towards the airport to catch a flight to Beijing. However, in the underground parking lot of the arena, things took a rough start. On the first turn in what can only be described as a labyrinth of a parking structure, our delightful bus driver rammed his right-side rearview mirror directly into two air conditioning units, shaking the entire bus as sparks flew outside the windows. The rearview mirror was bent completely out of position, causing it to block our bus door and the only way to exit the bus. Despite the driver's best efforts to open the door from the inside, it would not budge. Eventually, it caught the attention of the other buses with GMBT trying to dislodge the mirror but unfortunately cutting his hand in the process. Finally, another driver managed to pull the mirror back into a somewhat acceptable position, amidst the typhoon of chirps coming from the players on the bus. We decided then just to drive to the airport with one and a half rearview mirrors in order to make our flight. Hilarity, stress, and sheer astonishment rolled into one unique experience."

"You can't make this up" - Matthew Tkachuk.

"Another great experience was undoubtedly going to the Great Wall with the team. All the players immediately and brashly bought many hilarious souvenirs upon entering the area, becoming colorfully adorned in military/panda / straw hats, and kimonos"


"Best part of the day was riding down the toboggan behind Johnny and in front of Jankowski and Bennett. Johnny kept braking so I would crash into him and subsequently be crushed by the big boys behind me. I counted three people in total who completely wiped out and fell off their sleds. It was a blast."


"Finally, I was also interviewed by FlamesTV, for which I was brutally unprepared for but I tried my best."

"The team and staff were absolutely amazing to me, treated me with the utmost hospitality, and allowed me to feel welcome and included during my interactions with the team. I have gained a lot of respect towards the Calgary Flames organization, and I wish them the best of luck in the upcoming season."

​"Feel free to ask any questions about my work experience! I was also working closely with the team hosts for the Boston Bruins as well so I can answer any China Games related questions."

"P.S. James Neal is an absolute beauty. Neal was hands down the most welcoming out of all of the players: he invited me to the players' dinner and sat next to me, before the Beijing game he came out and gave me his stick that he got the whole team to sign, and just as of now has followed me on Instagram"

[Jetfire]

I laughed more than I should have at the photo of grinning Treliving trying to rip the busted mirror off of the bus, while imagining the players chirping.

[AC]

Asked what the best chirp was he overheard:

"At dinner Neal said Monahan in his Chinese hat looked like Nazem Kadri. Monahan responds with "call me that again and I'll call you Radko Gudas for the rest of the year."

[Loudog]

Really glad that it's the new guy that was going above and beyond to be a kind person. Makes me even more excited that Neal is on this team. Always great to bring someone like that into the organization.

[Locke]

Awesome! Thats great! Thanks for sharing that.

[JurassicTunga12]

Cool stuff.

Neal truly is the real deal.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by AC

Asked what the best chirp was he overheard:

"At dinner Neal said Monahan in his Chinese hat looked like Nazem Kadri. Monahan responds with "call me that again and I'll call you Radko Gudas for the rest of the year."

Wow someone was missing his toaster.

[psyang]

Some more:

Running gag between the players was pointing at things with their index and ring finger, much like someone else in the organization

Spoiler!

Tuuka also broke his stick during a practice in Beijing and flung it into the netting. Never change, Tuuka.

Spoiler!

[the2bears]

Love hearing about these things.

[8sPOT]

Originally Posted by psyang

Some more:

Even better, its the index and pinky fingers!

[The Boy Wonder]

Neal >>> Brouwer and Hamilton

If nothing else it appears the team bonding over there was pretty good

[Titan]

I give this thread my (not really mine, stole from reddit):

[bdubbs]

This is awesome.