Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1169925
CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 46 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2019 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: JASON PICHE // You just emceed your first NARCE— what was that experience like? When I was asked, I jumped at the chance. With my background in com- edy, and hosting TV and radio shows in Vermont, I was excited to inject some fun in to NARCE! I hope to see everyone in Buffalo again next year! // How did you get in to the rink business? My high school girlfriend's dad worked at the University of Vermont and when they had an opening in athletics I got right in. I was mostly on the basketball side of things at first but I was always a rink rat, having grown up a huge UVM hockey fan, and eventually worked my way over to the rink full-time. // What's the craziest experience you've had in our industry to date? I have a lot of crazy stories from my time, but the safest one for RINK Magazine would have to be hosting the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championships at UVM. People from all over the world descended into my hometown while the best ladies in the world vied for gold on our ice. The team from Switzerland won their first medal (Bronze) and seeing how happy that made them was very moving. Driving the gold medal game between USA and Canada during that tournament is the only thing that tops my brief time in the AHL (Milwaukee Admirals) or countless UVM games. // What's the biggest challenge you face each day? The mental/fan anguish associated with working around the rival of my favorite NHL team, the Montreal Canadiens. I was raised to love the Habs, but more importantly, to respect people and do my job well. All of the B's staff I work with are cool about it, and I still help to ensure them the best facility and ice possible, and we all are just doing our jobs. It was tough at first, but now I'm used to it. Most people know where my fandom lies and everyone has a good time asking me when the last time they won the Cup was (while I remind them how many we have—24 to their six). I'm glad I didn't have to hang their seventh banner this year, that would have been a tough day—thanks Blues! // Any advice you want to share with other rink professionals? Always be learning! Whether through classes or just staying alert to learn from others, there should be a constant educa- tion. Close-mindedness is not the best way for our industry. I've been in the game for 18 years, but if some guy with only two months of experience has a bet- ter way of doing something, I'm all ears. Just because something may not work at your rink now, doesn't mean learning new things won't prepare you for the future. The ice rink industry is a small commu- nity when you really think about it; reach- ing out to the others for ideas is a great way to always be learning! J PROFILE Name: Jason Piché Facility: Warrior Ice Arena (Boston Bruins practice facility) U.S. Ice Rinks Professional Designation Achieved: CIRM Years in the Ice Rink Industry: 18 Jason Piché Brighton, Mass. "ALWAYS BE LEARNING! WHETHER THROUGH CLASSES OR JUST STAYING ALERT TO LEARN FROM OTHERS, THERE SHOULD BE A CONSTANT EDUCATION. CLOSE-MINDEDNESS IS NOT THE BEST WAY FOR OUR INDUSTRY."