Aug. 29, 2014: Popchock on Ice Bucket Challenges and Ice Hockey Changes

Welcome to another edition of the all-new POPCHOCK SAYS:! To see how Popchock can help cover and promote your company or event, visit Rubino Productions–serving the community in ways you haven’t imagined.

I’m Matt Popchock, and I’m just getting started.

Seneca Valley Hockey says: I have been nominated for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge:

#IceBucketChallenge to @mpopchock of the @PIHLNetwork http://t.co/IJZhDdsotn

— Seneca Valley Hockey (@SenecaHockey) August 29, 2014

With humble apologies to head coach Anthony Raco, someone else with PIHL ties beat him to the punch:

Nevertheless, I think it’s spectacular that an idea so good has gone so viral, and, as I said, I was happy to show my solidarity. And I tap my stick to the Seneca Valley Hockey Association by making a donation within the designated 24-hour challenge window:

Already got iced, but still a pleasure to help. Thanks @SenecaHockey! pic.twitter.com/nFz82X1wIk

— Matt Popchock (@PopchockSays) August 29, 2014

Bill Hartlep of Trib Total Media says: Apropos of the fact this post was inspired by one of North Allegheny’s hockey rivals, North Allegheny head coach Jim Black, who led that team to a Pennsylvania Cup in 2013, has replaced Ed Sam as PIHL Commissioner.

Meanwhile, Mike Bagnato, who did a fine job resurrecting the program at nearby Pine-Richland, will take over for Black.

POPCHOCK SAYS: First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to the players, coaches and teams of the newly-aligned Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League. It has been a unique pleasure to cover and promote you, and I hope to see you at the rink in the future.

However, I am not under contract with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League as I type this, and I have decided I can not, in good conscience, endorse the political activities of an organization that, under its new leadership, has worked to get rid of me–and others who served it in good faith–purely for political gain. I take the incredible support that we at the PIHL Network have received very seriously, and I feel those supporters are owed the truth.

In anticipation that league officials might read this and respond with the intent to make me look, sound or feel like the villain in this matter, I will not comment further, barring further developments–except to leave the teams of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League with one final sentiment:

In a democracy, you get what you vote for.

I’m Matt Popchock, and that’s all she wrote.

(Featured image of PIHL logo courtesy of Ed Sam.)