Joe Gibbons/The Telegram
Peter Cheeseman has been a timekeeper and clock operator at Mile One Centre or Memorial Stadium since the AHL arrived in St. John’s.
Q. What is/was your role with the St. John’s hockey teams?
A. Timekeeper/clock operator
Q. When did you start?
A. I’ve been been there since Day 1 (Oct. 19, 1991, opening night St. John’s Maple Leafs vs Fredericton Canadiens).
Q. What are some favourite memories?
A. The two Calder Cup finals (in 1992 and 2014) and interacting with players in the penalty box.
I worked the penalty box one night and Kevin McClelland and John Kordic got into it. Kevin got five for fighting and John got five and a 10. Kevin had to go to the room for repairs. John came to the box, so I moved to one end of the bench and he was on the other. I was watching the game and after a few minutes, I felt my leg getting wet. I looked and Kordic was squirting water at me, laughing the whole time.
He asked what had happened to Mac. I said didn't know, and we started talking. He was great to talk to.
When Mac came out to start the second period, he came by the penalty box. Kordic said, ‘Mac, what happened?’ Kevin laughed, and John said, ‘Stand up longer, next time. It makes me look bad.’
I’ve always enjoyed the interactions with players. Some don’t say much, but a lot like to chat.
Q. What will you miss about the AHL?
A. Spending evenings at the rink with the off-ice officials, interacting with the players and staff from the two teams. And, of course, chatting with friends on the concourse during the intermissions. It’s always nice to catch up with old friends.
