The Growler: Issue 4

2023•24 E-MAG

ISSUE 4

LET’S CELLY 5 YEARS OF GROWLERS NATION

KAPPYS BACK!

PLAYER PROFILES HEALTHY recipe KIDS CORNER

NLGROWLERS.COM

CONTENTS • KAPPY IS BACK! • RECIPE • player profiles • SERIES BREAKDOWN • KIDS CORNER

KAPPY’S

BACK! 5

Rock Solid Defender From Slovakia to Illinois to Snowy Newfoundland Kapcheck recounts his 40-hour trek back to his adopted home province Growler fans bid a tearful adieu to defenceman Brennan Kapcheck during the 2023 offseason as the Mount Prospect, Illinois native decided to explore professional opportunities overseas, signing in Slovakia with HKM Zvolen for the 2023-24 season.

The 5’9” defender had become a fan favourite in Newfoundland since his rookie season in 2021-22 for both his smooth-skating offensive abilities as well as his fearlessness when standing up against the biggest and baddest enforcers in the ECHL

When he packed up his Hyundai Elantra and drove off the island last spring with his wife Cassandra and his three cats Penelope, Suki and Nymeria in tow, he did so as the club’s fourth highest scoring defenceman in franchise history (81 GP, 7G, 39A, 46 PTS) with an additional 31 games of postseason action in just two seasons. Certainly a solid track record upon which to continue his professional career in Europe.

However, professional hockey can be a fickle business.

With just 10 games under his belt in Slovakia, Kapcheck returned home to Illinois for his holiday break and began considering to look for a different opportunity.

One phone call later, the ol’ Hyundai was packed up for the 40-hour trek from Illinois to their adopted home in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Kapcheck was quick to cite the fans across the province as one of the motivating factors in his choice to return to the Rock and the fans themselves were quick to remind Kapcheck how excited they are to see his number five back on the ice.

“I’ve had a lot of messages on my social media from the fans and I really appreciate it from everybody,” he said.

“I’ve had plenty of people reach out to me to tell me they are excited I’m back and it means a lot to me.”

Re-signing his contract with the Growlers was the easy part for Kapcheck. Physically returning to the island proved to be another story.

Following a full day on the road battling wintry conditions, not to mention a lengthy ferry ride into Port-aux-Basques, Brennan, Cassandra and the three cats were weary but Brennan was determined to complete the trek across the island that day, despite the “I missed it. I missed the guys. I missed the atmosphere continuously deteriorating weather. around here - it’s just a great atmosphere. I came in here as the new guy again but it’s the same way. It “We made our way off the ferry and it’s really snowy out might be a new year and a different team with different there and I said, ‘Hey Cass, we’re getting there tonight. coaches and staff but it’s the same winning mentality. I want to get on the ice tomorrow morning, so I can Everybody is on the same page.” get the legs going, I want to be there with the team.’”

“I just wanted to come back here because I really enjoyed my time here,” Kapcheck said.

Kapcheck recalls. safely the following day and Brennan, albeit a day later “She said ‘No, we should stay at a hotel, the roads are than he would have liked, finally got to return to the bad and there’s a lot of snow on the ground.”

Mary Brown’s Centre to get to work and meet his new teammates.

Within his first 60 minutes back in his new/old home province, Kapcheck’s visibility quickly began to “It’s a great group of guys and a great deteriorate as the tire tracks he had been following on group of hockey players,” he said the Trans Canada Highway filled with snow.

Then, Kapcheck made the one mistake you cannot excitedly. make when driving on the highway in snow-covered conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador: he hit the “They are all one unit. They are all on the same page breaks. and that’s what I like to see. It’s a brand new team with only a few returning guys from the past and they “So we start to fishtail,” Kapcheck says with a laugh, welcomed me in with open arms. Everyone has been as he uses a phone on a nearby table to replicate his great so far.” poor Elantra wildly gliding back and forth across the highway having lost rear traction.

While it’s still early in Kapcheck’s return to the Growlers, he already feels comfortable with his role and his new “And I know I’m not supposed to hit the breaks. I was and old teammates and is looking forward to settling too confident. back in, both on the ice and in the city St. John’s.

Cassandra didn’t appreciate that. That was a mistake on me. So I said, ‘You are correct, we’re going to go to a “I feel at home,” he said. hotel.’ We got the hotel.”

Despite the nerve-wracking experience behind the wheel, Brennan, Cassandra and the kitties all arrived

“I just want to help the team, get the boots moving and break the pucks out for the guys. I’ll help the team primarily in the defensive zone first so we can get into the offensive zone and score some goals and win some games. You know what you’re getting from me. I’m going to play hard in both ends.”

EVOLVED LENTIL WRAPS PREP TIME: 20 minutes COOK TIME: 20 minutes TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS LENTIL FILLING 1 cup green or red lentils (red might get a little mushy) - soaked overnight 1 onion 1 garlic clove 1 tbsp hot paprika 5 basil leaves, chopped 3 tbsp parsley, chopped a few pinches of salt some olive oil (1-2 Tbsp)

SALAD 1 cucumber ½ cup arugula (chopped)

½ avocado 1 small pepper (green or red) 5 olives small bunch dill (optional) small bunch cilantro (optional) small bunch parsley 1 fresh onion 2 tomatoes 1 tbsp olive oil salt to taste

YOGURT SAUCE small bunch of dill 1 garlic clove 4 tortillas / if you can find whole-grain/gluten-free use those!

INSTRUCTIONS Chop all vegetables for the lentil filling – onion, basil leaves, parsley. Peel garlic and smash it. In large pan with a lid cook lentils with a few pinches of salt at medium-high heat, just covered with water for 5-10 minutes (lid covered). Depending on the type of lentils cooking might take longer. Red lentils cook faster, but if you overcook them get very mushy (though still super tasty). Add water if needed.

When they’re done, remove water (if any) by rinsing the lentils. I usually just wait until water is almost evaporated. Then, still at medium-high, add olive oil, minced garlic, chopped onion and hot pepper powder.

Stir for for 2-3 minutes, turn off heat, add basil and parsley and stir well, leave on the stove covered with a lid. In the meantime make the salad. Chop all vegetables small – place in a big bowl, add olive oil and salt to taste – ready.

For the yogurt sauce – combine yogurt, smashed garlic and chopped dill and salt to taste. Then assemble your tortilla – any way you want. I put around 2 tbsp of lentil filling, 2-3 tbsp salad and 2 tbsp of yogurt with 1 tbsp of avocado dill dip.

Enjoy!

LUKE

CAVALLIN

­

­

­

JOSH

VICTOR

­ ­

­ ­

­

­

­

­

kids corner

2023 | 2024 HOME SCHEDULE

#CHAPTER

2023 | 2024 HOME SCHEDULE january 2024

march

febRUary

april

Kicking off 2024

With a Bang Growlers Ready for Six Home Games in January

HAPPY NEW YEAR, GROWLERS FANS!

The ECHL affiliates of the Colorado Avalanche, the Grizzlies have hosted the Growlers for six games The Newfoundland Growlers return home from a since the Growlers entered the ECHL in the 2018lengthy holiday break and are looking forward to the 19 season but have yet to make the trek to the Rock until now. unofficial second half of the season.

The Grizzlies and Growlers first met during the 201920 season, where the Growlers finished with one win and two losses. These two clubs renewed their brief rivalry at the Maverik Center in Utah earlier this season, where the Growlers once again posted one win with two losses. The Growlers are no doubt looking forward NEW YEAR, NEW OPPONENT to seeking their revenge when the series shifts to their To kick off the 2024 portion of the schedule, the home ice.

Growlers will be hosting the Mountain Division’s Utah Grizzlies for the first time ever on for a full weekend of Keep an eye on Isaac Johnson (2G, 1A) and Jonny action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 5th, 6th Tychonick (3A), as both skaters have three points in three games against the Grizzlies this season. and 7th at the Mary Brown’s Centre.

The Growlers were playing some of their best hockey of the season in December and look to continue their winning ways as they get ready for six straight games at home at the Mary Brown’s Centre in January.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, GROWLERS FANS!

two losses. The Growlers are no doubt looking forward to seeking their revenge when the series shifts to their The Newfoundland Growlers return home from a home ice. lengthy holiday break and are looking forward to the Keep an eye on Isaac Johnson (2G, 1A) and Jonny unofficial second half of the season.

Tychonick (3A), as both skaters have three points in The Growlers were playing some of their best hockey three games against the Grizzlies this season. of the season late in December and look to continue their winning ways as they get ready for six straight NORTH DIVISION RIVALS RETURN FOR games at home at the Mary Brown’s Centre in January. FIRST VISIT SINCE PLAYOFF DEFEAT

NEW YEAR, NEW OPPONENT

The Growlers and the Adirondack Thunder are set to renew their North Division rivalry when the Thunder To kick off the 2024 portion of the schedule, the roll into the Mary Brown’s Centre for three games on Growlers will be hosting the Mountain Division’s Utah Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, January 11th, 13th Grizzlies for the first time ever on for a full weekend of and 14th. action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 5th, 6th and 7th at the Mary Brown’s Centre.

The last time the Thunder visited the Mary Brown’s Centre was in the 2023 Kelly Cup playoffs as they The ECHL affiliates of the Colorado Avalanche, the dropped back-to-back contests in Game Four and Grizzlies have hosted the Growlers for six games since Game Five of the North Division Semi-Finals, watching the Growlers have entered the ECHL in the 2018- their season end in five games at the hands of 19 season but have yet to make the trek to the Rock the Growlers. until now.

This season, the Thunder are once again in playoff The Grizzlies and Growlers first met during the 2019- contention and near the top of the standings in the 20 season, where the Growlers finished with one win North Division and will be looking for revenge when and two losses. These two clubs renewed their brief they return to the Mary Brown’s Centre for their only rivalry at the Maverik Center in Utah earlier this season, trip this season. where the Growlers once again posted one win with

The rivalry is sure to heat up in short order as the Growlers and the Thunder will be playing their entire eight-game season series before the end of January.

Following these three games in Newfoundland, the Growlers and Thunder will meet one more time in Glens Falls on January 26.

At 7:00pm on Saturday, January 6th, the Growlers support the over 25,000 public and private employees across Newfoundland and Labrador on NAPE Night.

On Sunday, January 7th at 4:00pm, the Growlers recognize the ever-increasing demands and pressures on single parents as they team up with SPANL to raise awareness on Single Parents Association NL Night.

PLENTY TO CHEER FOR TO Enjoy $5 beers all night long on Thirsty Thursday on KICK OFF 2024 January 11th against the Thunder.

Just because the holiday season is behind us doesn’t mean the Growlers don’t have plenty to celebrate in the And on Saturday, January 13th, dust off your vintage duds from the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s and get ready to first homestand of the new year! dance as the Growlers host Retro Night.

On Friday, January 5th, the Growlers host Canadian Blood Services night. Puck drop is scheduled for For more information or to purchase your tickets for the Growlers January homestand, please visit 7:00pm. nlgrowlers.com/tickets

7 DAYS FREE *

VALU ED A T

$

175

Scan here to get started today!

Or visit try.goodlifefitness.com/7-day-pass

Ready to become a Member?

Sign up with our Performance Membership for access to our exclusive Performance programming, including REGYMEN, Hot Yoga, PEAK, Empower HIIT, iRiDE, and Craft Boxing.**

*Limit one 7 visit trial pass per person. Pass only valid for Non-Members and first time Club visitors who have not been a member of GoodLife Fitness in the last 12 months. Pass valid for 7 consecutive days after activation and may only be activated during staffed Club hours. Visitor must be of the age of majority in the province in which the Club is located and may only attend during staffed Club hours. Pass bookings are subject to availability based on capacity restrictions. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Nontransferable. No cash value. Other conditions may apply. Visit goodlifefitness.com or a participating Club for details and for hours of operation. **Each Performance Program is available on select Memberships at select GoodLife locations only.

GROWLERS IN THE COMMUNITY