One thousand hockey games later, Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ assistant equipment manager Jamie Amos hopes to spend 1,000 more with a team he’s proud to be a part of.
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, at a regular season Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ game, Amos was honoured for working his 1000th junior hockey game in Port Alberni at the Weyerhaeuser Arena.
“I never thought I’d get this far. I’ve made a lot of good friends,” Amos said.
Prior to 856 games with the Bulldogs, Amos worked 144 games with the Port Alberni Bandits of the Junior B Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. He’s worked a total of 18 seasons between both hockey teams.
Amos still remembers his first game as assistant equipment manager with the Bandits.
“October 6, 1999 in the old arena,” he said.
Beginning as just a fan of the team, Amos said a friend of his dad’s talked to the Bandits’ head coach about the possibility of him working with the team.
“They came and asked me if I wanted to help out and they decided to have me full time,” Amos said.
Once the Junior A Bulldogs came to town, Amos began his long stretch with a team he’s become deeply invested in.
Exuding passion for the ‘Dogs, Amos loves the sport of hockey but it’s the lasting friendships he’s made during his time spent at the Alberni Valley Multiplex that he is most grateful for.
“Winning and making lots of new friends,” Amos says are his favourite things about working with the Bulldogs. He said he still keeps in touch with many of the Bulldogs’ alumni.
His favourite memory comes from 2005 when the Bulldogs had a 20-game winning streak.
Amos’ job is to fill the players’ water bottles, set up their sticks, helps load the bus for overnight trips and doing a puck search after every practice.
Aside from spending time almost every day of the week at the arena, Amos gets out on the ice himself during his free time.
Since 2013, he’s been figure skating with the Mount Arrowsmith Skating Club and has since won six gold medals and a silver at various skating competitions around the island.
The multiplex is a second home for Amos who said he loves pretty much everything to do with the rink.
Throughout his 1,000 games, Amos has seen a lot of support for hockey in the Alberni Valley. He gives thanks to all the Bulldogs’ supportive fans, all of the friends he’s made throughout his journey and to his dad, who has been there for him since game one.
Amos’ unconditional support for the Bulldogs does not go unnoticed.
“Our organization is very proud to have a caring person such as Jamie be part of our hockey team,” said Alex Evin, Bulldogs assistant coach.
Last weekend Amos spent his 1,001 and 1,002 games with the Bulldogs as they took on Surrey Eagles on Saturday and Langley Rivermen on Sunday.
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