Wednesday, March 21, 2007
If you want to know what kind of people are in the Portland Pirates' locker room, ask Matt Flaherty.
When Flaherty, who works as an assistant to equipment manager Doug "Sluggo" Shearer, needed some help last week, all of the Pirates stepped up in a big way.
About three weeks ago, Flaherty complained about his teeth to team trainer Rich Burrill. He wanted some antibiotics to help him deal with the discomfort.
"I had bad teeth. It seems to run in my family," Flaherty said. "My teeth were getting so bad it was really painful."
But Burrill wasn't convinced antibiotics would provide a long-term solution. Following an examination, Joseph Magone, the team dentist, and Eric Zajkowski, an oral surgeon also on the Pirates' medical staff, agreed.
As a result, they fitted Flaherty, 23, for dentures following the removal of 16 teeth that were infected.
Mangone and Zajkowsky donated their time and talent, and the Pirates' players, coaches and training staff took care of the rest of the costs.
About three years ago, Flaherty received an estimate approaching $10,000 to have similar work done.
"It was a lot of money I couldn't really afford," he said.
When Coach Kevin Dineen told his players about Flaherty's plight after the work was done, all of them jumped at the chance to help him out.
"Anytime we can help anybody out who is in need of it, we love to do it," defenseman Brian Salcido said.
"You know, we have a lot of extra time on our hands and lots of things we can pass on to other people. Anytime we can help someone out, it always makes us happy. Hopefully it changes their life and helps them out in some way."
The Pirates are generous when it comes to helping local charities.
But this was different.
"We appreciate what Matt does for us," forward Ryan Carter said. "He helps guys with sticks and skates and everything every day. You don't hear much from him. He never complains about anything. He's always helping us and we had the opportunity to help him."
Dineen acknowledged the response of his players to Flaherty's plight.
"When you put your financial resources behind your charities it's always a quality thing," he said. "This is one (where) they weren't looking for any kind of recognition or something. Matt is just a sincere kid who works his tail off around here, and (the players) have stepped up to the plate."
Flaherty, who commutes from Turner to Portland for his part-time job with the Pirates, is overwhelmed by the players' gesture.
"They're great people," he said.
"For someone to do something like this, words can't describe how grateful and thankful I am.
"It's something that changes my life."
BOBBY BOLT won't be joining the Pirates anytime soon.
Last Friday, Anaheim signed the 19-year-old Bolt, a 6-foot-4, 216-pound left wing who is in his fourth season of junior hockey, to a three-year entry-level contract
But Bolt could be unavailable until April 3. He's with Kingston, which is playing the Oshawa Generals in the opening round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.
In 60 regular-season games with the Frontenacs, Bolt, a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, scored 21 goals and had 27 assists.
HERSHEY CENTER Kyle Wilson was named AHL Player of the Week after he had four goals and six assists to help the Bears earn five of a possible six points in three games.
Forward Mark Hartigan, who scored two goals during a 1-2 week for the Pirates, was nominated for the weekly award for the third time this season.
THE PORTLAND PIRATES and the Junior Achievement of Maine will present a check for $5,000 today to Casco Bay High School.
The funds were raised through Junior Achievement's "Company Program," used as a model by the team and Casco Bay students at the Jan. 26 game against Providence.
A total of 19 students had the opportunity to work with the Pirates' front-office staff. Each student worked with a member of the Pirates' staff to create operating plans in ticket sales, marketing, communications, event presentation and finance/administration.
THE BOOSTERS CLUB will hold its end-of-the-year awards banquet for the Pirates' players April 5 at the Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland.
Tickets can be purchased during the March 23 and April 1 games at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
Proceeds from the event, which will include a social hour, dinner, the awards presentations and silent auction, will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 725-8795 or at:
Questions/Comments
North of the Border
Recently Seen
May Pajama Story Time
Pirates PlayOff Hockey Game - May 6
Propel event
'What Happens in Vegas'
The Baker's Bench
The Big Lebowski
Where's the beach?
Casting Call
Reader comments
There are not yet any comments. Post your comment and it will appear here.
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.