It’s just a basic policy we have — when our readers outperform us in conveying the greatness of our game and its impact, we showcase it. We thank reader Mark for sharing with us yesterday his remarkable experiences with Hershey Arena.
“I’m 36 years old now and I vividly remember seeing Flyers-Caps exhibitions in the Arena when I was a youngster. They were wonderful, brawl-filled affairs and they are my first memories of this grand arena. I saw over 100 games in this historic arena by the time I was 19 and there are so many great memories.
But the one I cherish most came in 1988. My fellow season ticket mate and I were both 17 years old. His 15-year-old brother just died unexpectedly of meningitis. The doctors just thought it was the flu. I talked to him the night before he died- talking about the virtues and negatives of our favorite team’s goalie, Ron Hextall of the Flyers. The next day he was dead.
About a week went by and I had planned on going to the Bears game alone, sensing that my friend Jay would be to depressed over his loss to attend. But he called me and said, “What time are you picking me up?” I said, “Do you really want to go to a hockey game with all that has happened?” and he said, “I need to go to the Arena in the worst way.” And so we went. I can’t tell you who we played or if we won. But I remember sitting with my good friend in that glorious Arena, cheering the Bears on, and realizing that something as insignificant as a minor league hockey game came be more significant than you’ll ever know.”
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