Alpharetta native Brad Miller skates for the Gwinnett Gladiators.
DULUTH, Ga. - The life of a minor league hockey player can be tough. Some are on the way up, but won't make it to the top. Others are on the way down, and not happy about it.
But it's a life the coaches and players have chosen and they seem to love it. John Wroblewski is the head coach and has a college education from Notre Dame. "It's not about where you're going to be in the future, it's not where you were in the past. It's about where you're at right now" says Wroblewski.
Travel accomocations are spartan compared to the NHL. Unless it's a rare trip out west such as the league finals against Anchorage, every trip is made in the team's customized recreational vehicle. That description doesn't really do it justice.
It sleeps 25 people, and can tow an equipment trailer. Some of the destinations: Chicago, Elmira (NY), Reading (PA), Trenton (NJ).
Alpharetta native Brad Miller went to prep school in Minnesota, then the University of North Dakota, and loves the game. "My mom hasn't been able to see me play a home game since I was 15, so she was real excited about that."
It seems they are all excited, just to be doing what they love.