Chronicle Adirondack Phantoms Bachelors Feature by Mark Frost

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Northern New York’s Leading Newspaper • Down to earth and growing • Vol. 32, No. 1,417 • January 19-25, 2012

Glens Falls’ most eligible bachelors! What a day for their wedding º 16 Photo © Corrina Aldrich

‘On-call’ ER outrage

Mark, The Hospital ER Doctor story [Jan. 12 Chronicle] seems to be an outrageous abuse of the trust that most people have that when they are treated at an Emergency Room they will be charged within the bounds of ‘reasonable and customary.’ I hope you will solicit ‘the other side of the story’ and tell us who it was, and what he has to say in his justification. Thanks for bringing this to public attention. — Jim McAndrew, North River

Doctors should have to disclose price in advance Dear Mr. Frost, I was disgusted by the letter to the editor in the Jan. 12-18 Chronicle describing the visit to the Glens Falls ER and treatment by an on-call doctor. Like you, my shock wasn’t that the doctor wouldn’t accept the woman’s

Inside: Adirondack Phantoms Singles! Special Chronicle feature Photography by Craig Murphy Concept by Cathy DeDe

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12 The Chronicle - January 19, 2012

Front: Mike Testwuide, Jason Akeson and Andy Bohmbach. Back: Mike Pacitti, Dax, Luke Pither and Shane Harper.

Glens Falls’ most eligible bachelors? By Cathy DeDe Chronicle Managing Editor She’s dreamed of that most elegant dress, the sparkling ring, the magical setting, best musicians and sweetest cake — but the one thing she can’t usually find in The Chronicle’s Bridal issue is that from which all else springs: The perfect mate. Worry no more, Chronicle readers. In a nod to television’s popular reality show The

Mike Testwuide

Bachelor (and all in good fun) we bring you some of what we believe are Glens Falls’ most eligible bachelors. They are six of the single men on the Adirondack Phantoms AHL hockey team — plus one eager mascot. Hot prospects? They’re young: Most are barely into their 20s. They’re fit and goodlooking: See photos. They’re hard-working: Just sit in on a practice to get that, although from the shouts in the stands, we understand they

Phantoms singles: Young, fit, upbeat & affluent

are constantly expected to work harder. They’re also well paid: The salaries of the young guys profiled here are upwards of $60,000 a year, not bad for a twentysomething. Several of their teammates earn in the six-figures, and they all stand to make even more if they can make it in the NHL. That’s not to mention the milliondollar-plus salary of their teammate Michael Leighton (who is married, sorry). We’ve also learned, these Phantoms are ready to have some fun. Behind the scenes, it took a few minutes for the guys to warm up to our shoot with Glens Falls photographer Craig Murphy — but soon they and their teammates were getting into the spirit, egging each other on, pulling out their poses. “Can I take off my shirt for this one?,” Mike Testwuide asks before the final group shots you see above and on page one.

“If he’s doing it, I am too,” Shane (Harp) Harper chimes in. Finishing our survey questions, Harp asks, “Don’t you want me to put my phone number? How are the girls going to find me?” (We compromised with a Twitter address.) Luke Pither and Jason Akeson went back for second photo sessions because they thought they could do better. Luke was especially irrepressible throughout, but read why he thinks he’s a good catch, and you’ll see even he’s got a sweet side that may well be worth uncovering. Some brood shyly, some goof off, but they’re all much nicer than you’d think after watching them bruise it up on the ice. Each also showed a bit of his heart on his sleeve, and we thank them for it. Meet the singles of the Adirondack Phantoms.

#8, Mike Testwuide

ple? I love to read. What’s your idea of a perfect date? A day of skiing and an aprés ski party with some beers. (On Mike’s Twitter account — @MikeTestwuide — he writes, “Grew up in Vail, CO. Son of successful ski bums. Chose skates instead of skis. Looking for the one.”) What are you looking for in an ideal mate? A true American sweetheart. What makes you a good catch? My soft hands.

Age: 24 Hometown: Vail, Colorado. Position: Right Wing A highly touted power forward signed out of Colorado College in 2010, Big Mike has ties to this area through his time attending the Northwood School in Lake Placid. He led all Phantoms rookies in goals last season with 18, and is starting to find his touch around the net again this season. Has a good touch around that net, and can take the body as well as play the finesse game. Good prospect for the NHL. What do you like about playing hockey in Glens Falls? The Civic Center and my teammates. What do you like to do when you’re not playing hockey? I read and cook. What has surprised you about Glens Falls? How friendly the people are. What’s your favorite movie? Scarface. (Mike needed some stitches on his face earlier this season.) Favorite TV show? Desperate Housewives. Favorite actor/actress? Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock. Favorite musician? Taylor Swift. What kind of car do you drive? Toyota Tundra. What’s your favorite video game? I don’t play video games. I work out instead. Favorite food? Salmon. Favorite local restaurant? Orange Cat Café. Do you cook? What’s your specialty? Anything for breakfast. What about you might surprise peo-

#10, Andy Bohmbach Age: 24 Hometown: Hudson, Wisconsin. Position: Left Wing Kind of quiet and reserved, Andy’s a Wisconsin boy who started the season with Trenton in the East Coast Hockey League before being called up in December. You get the idea that he’s low maintenance, both on and off the ice. What do you like about playing hockey in Glens Falls? I like the smalltown atmosphere. What do you like to do when you’re not playing hockey? I usually watch TV. What has surprised you about Glens Falls? How great the fans are. What’s your favorite movie? I am Legend. Favorite TV show? Rescue Me. Favorite actor? Will Smith.

Favorite musician? John Mayer. What kind of car do you drive? Jeep. What’s your favorite video game? Call of Duty. Favorite food? Steak. Favorite local restaurant? Raül’s. Do you cook? What’s your specialty? Salmon and rice. What about you might surprise people? I like to swim. I live on the St. Croix River back home in Hudson, Wisconsin. It’s a small town of about 15,000, roughly the same size as Glens Falls. What’s your idea of a perfect date? Go out to dinner and then do something fun like play mini-golf or go to a movie. What are you looking for in an ideal mate? Someone with a good personality who is easy-going. What makes you a good catch? I’m pretty relaxed and easy-going. I’m not too serious.

Andy Bohmbach

Photos by Craig Murphy • Produced by Cathy DeDe with Gordon Woodworth

Luke Pither

#19, Luke Pither Age: 22 Hometown: Burketon, Ontario. Position: Center Luke is one of the unique characters on the team. Outgoing and personable, he was the star of the Phantoms’ We Built This City YouTube video that went viral locally, and he scored a huge goal in Adirondack’s Outdoor Classic win over Hershey on Jan. 6. What do you like about playing hockey in Glens Falls? I love the mountain atmosphere and the relationships you develop with the people of Glens Falls. What do you like to do when you’re not playing hockey? I’m a bit of a couch bum. I play a little guitar and ukulele. What has surprised you about Glens Falls? It just snowed for the first time. And the lovely women. What’s your favorite movie? Braveheart and The Notebook. Favorite TV show? Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and The Bachelor. Favorite actor/actress? Patrick Swayze and Natalie Portman.

Mike Pacitti, Coach Age: 31 Hometown: Glen Mills, Penn. Position: Video coach Known as “Pac” or “Pacman” by guys on the team, he is a key part of the Phantoms coaching staff. During the games, Pacman gets a live video feed into his office near the locker room, and edits footage that he then shows to the coaches and players between periods. He also helps devise game plans for opponents by identifying recurring tendencies in footage of previous games. What do you like about hockey in Glens Falls? I like the small town. I actually stayed here last summer. That’s how much I like it. What do you like to do when you’re not at the hockey rink? I love golfing a lot. I was in Gordon Goes Golfing. I like going to the lake. My buddy has a boat. I go to the Bullpen a lot to watch football and baseball. My favorite teams are the Philadelphia Eagles and the Phillies. What has surprised you about Glens Falls? How much I like it. Coming from Philadelphia, you hear about a small town. I like the people, how nice and friendly they are. What’s your favorite movie? Beer League. It’s a softball movie with Artie

Favorite musician/band? Jack Johnson and John Mayer, and Led Zeppelin. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Explorer. What’s your favorite video game? Call of Duty. Favorite food? Filet mignon. Favorite local restaurant? Gourmet Café and Olive Garden. Do you cook? What’s your specialty? Luke’s Shepherd’s Pie. It’s a Pither family recipe. It’s the secret sauce that sets it apart. What about you might surprise people? I like to cuddle. What’s your idea of a perfect date? Pick her up, get over the quick, awkward silence with a nice joke, go out for seafood, and if she’s lucky, bring her back for a movie and a spoon on the couch. What are you looking for in an ideal mate? Someone with a beautiful heart and soul, someone who likes pillow talk and someone who likes my cooking, no matter how bad it is. What makes you a good catch? Most girls can outsmart me, but I have a good heart and a good personality. Lang. Favorite TV show? Family Guy and Tosh.0. Favorite actor/actress? Artie Lang, and Jessica Biel. Favorite band? Van Halen and Stone Temple Pilots. What kind of car do you drive? A Yukon. What’s your favorite video game? I don’t play video games. Favorite food? I like seafood: Lobster, crabs and shrimp. Favorite local restaurant? Raül’s. I go there three times a week. Do you cook? What’s your specialty? I cook every now and then. I make spicy burritos, or shrimp burritos. What about you might surprise people? I’m a sensitive guy. I have three cats. What’s your idea of a perfect date? A boat ride to a nice restaurant on Lake George, then sit on the boat afterwards and watch the fireworks. Have some time to get to know each other, have some wine on the boat. What are you looking for in an ideal mate? Somebody who’s kind of the same as me. Any girl that likes to golf. What makes you a good catch? I’m outgoing and I like to make people laugh. Some people think I have too much energy.

Mike Pacitti

The Chronicle - January 19, 2012

CHRONICLE BRIDAL ISSUE

The Chronicle - January 19, 2012

CHRONICLE BRIDAL ISSUE Jason Akeson

Shane Harper

#11 Shane Harper

#38, Jason Akeson Age: 21 Hometown: Orleans, Ontario. Position: Right Wing A free-agent, signing after he led the Ontario Hockey League in scoring last season (108 points, including 84 assists, in 67 games), Jason is proving to be a great acquisition for the Flyers organization. Highly skilled with a great pair of hands, Jason is among the top stickhandlers on the team, and in the league. He leads the Phantoms in

Dax, the mascot

Position: Goofy-looking mascot What do you like about performing in Glens Falls? I love all the fans. They make games so much fun. I also like doing donuts on my 4-wheeler on the ice. What do you like to do when you’re not at the hockey rink? I go out in the community throughout the North Country and visit schools, hockey practices and other events. What has surprised you about Glens Falls? How supportive the com-

scoring and is among the top rookie scorers in the AHL. All indications are he’s a future NHL player (and a romantic at heart, too)! What do you like about playing hockey in Glens Falls? I like the smalltown atmosphere and the fans are pretty great. What do you like to do when you’re not playing hockey? I watch TV and play X-Box. What has surprised you about Glens Falls? The atmosphere in the rink. The town really supports the Phantoms. What’s your favorite movie? Invincible. Favorite TV show? Entourage, Gossip Girl and The Bachelor. Favorite actor/actress? Brad Pitt and Blake Lively. Favorite musician? Kenny Chesney. What kind of car do you drive? Ford F-150 truck. What’s your favorite video game? NHL 12. Favorite food? Steak. Favorite local restaurant? Davidson Brothers. Do you cook? What’s your specialty? Chicken, rice and asparagus. What about you might surprise people? I play the guitar. My favorite song to play and sing is Come on, Get Higher by Matt Nathanson. What’s your idea of a perfect date? A nice candlelit dinner, go out to a bar after, and then a walk on the beach. What are you looking for in an ideal mate? A great personality, really cute and someone who gives great back massages. I love getting back massages. What makes you a good catch? My smile, and I’m very laid back, willing to do anything, and I love to have fun. munity has been of myself and the team. What’s your favorite movie? Uncle Buck. Favorite TV show? I’m a big fan of Leave it to Beaver. Favorite actor? My cousin Bucky is big in Hollywood. He’s best known for his role in the Bridgestone commercial. Favorite band? Styx. What kind of car do you drive? It’s a nice red ATV. What’s your favorite video game? Dance Dance Revolution. Favorite food? POPCORN!

Age: 22 Hometown: Valencia, Calif. Position: Right Wing A hard-working, grinding forward who’s known as “Harp” to his teammates, Shane hits opponents like a freight train. A work-out fanatic, he’s ripped, and gets the most out of his ability. One of the lunch-bucket guys who Coach Joe Paterson knows will play all-out on every shift. What do you like about playing hockey in Glens Falls? The fans are great. There’s a good atmosphere and the town is very supportive as well. What do you like to do when you’re not playing hockey? Hang out with my roommates [Andrew] Rowe and [Cullen] Eddy. (We have an apartment in Hudson Falls.) Go to the movies. It’s too cool now, but we like to golf. What has surprised you about Glens Falls? The amusement park is pretty cool. We have a Six Flags in my hometown, Valencia, California. What’s your favorite movie? Zoolander. I just saw it again. Favorite TV show? The Office, Modern Family and The Bachelor. Favorite actor? Ben Stiller. Favorite band? 311. What kind of car do you drive? Lexus IS 350. What’s your favorite video game? I don’t play video games. I’d rather play outside. Favorite food? Sushi. Favorite local restaurant? We go to the Olive Garden every game day, before the game. Do you cook? What’s your specialty? Me and the roomies cook a mean chicken steak stir fry. What about you might surprise people? People see hockey players as tough guys. I love animals, and I love dogs. What’s your idea of a perfect date? A nice dinner in a restaurant, and a fun-

ny movie. What are you looking for in an ideal mate? She’s gotta have a good sense of humor. I like to have fun, joke around. I like a good looking girl, but I’m not picky about brunette or blonde. I like an honest girl who’s fun to be around. What makes you a good catch? I’m a pretty funny guy. I like to have a good time, and people around me enjoy spending time with me. Harp adds: How will the girls find me? My Twitter name is @cali_sharp.

Dax, the mascot

Favorite local restaurant? Any of the concession stands at the GFCC. Do you cook? What’s your specialty? I make a mean twig sandwich. What about you might surprise people? I’m Internet savvy. I can be followed at facebook.com/daxthebeaver and

on Twitter @DaxTheBeaver. What’s your idea of a perfect date? A nice long movie with lots of popcorn. What are you looking for in an ideal mate? Someone with a nice flat tail. What makes you a good catch? See photo.