There is a banner that hangs from the rafters of Giant Center with the name ‘Kullman‘, and that banner is for Hershey Bears’ hockey hall-of-famer, Arnie Kullman. However, if any current or recent Bears go on to achieve such an acclaim in Chocolatetown as Arnie, it will be in part because of his grandson, Bears’ equipment manager, Justin Kullman.
Kullman, who has held his position for the past six seasons, is a graduate of Lower Dauphin High School in Hummelstown, where he posted some impressive numbers as player, including the 2002-03 season when he potted 22 goals (and 13 assists) in only 12 games.
“All my life I was always around the rink. I started playing at a young age and I always had a pretty good touch as far as scoring goals,” said Kullman.
Progressing no further than the high school ranks as a player, Kullman knew that if he wanted to get to the pro ranks, it would have to be in another capacity.
“I was kind of burned out on the game (as a player). I knew that I wanted to be an equipment guy, so joined up with the Bears in 1997-98 and built up to where I am today (equipment manager).”
Always close to the action, and often times unable to see the puck either because of players standing in front of him, or preparing for whatever equipment needs arise, Kullman has been fortunate to avoid errant pucks.
“I’ve dodged a few, but never been seriously struck,” he said.
However, in Bob Woods’ first game as head coach, a game at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Kullman’s luck in avoiding unwanted contact with the vulcanized rubber ended when he was struck near his ear. Just like the tough-as-nails players that he equips, a bruised Kullman did not leave the bench after the hit.
“That was probably the worst hit I’ve taken. I took it right off the side of my face. It was stunning; it didn’t hurt, and it just stunned me,” said Kullman.
Bears’ forward, Quintin Laing, like Kullman, does his job in an often unseen way and knows Kullman’s importance to the team.
“He means a lot to the team because he does a lot,” said Laing. “He kind of goes unnoticed for a lot of stuff that he does, but the guys really appreciate it.”
Typically, when the Bears travel to Albany, the game will be contested on a Friday evening, yet for Kullman and his helpers, the journey starts much earlier.
“We leave after practice on Thursday. We get up there early in the evening and go to the rink and unpack; that takes about an hour. Then we get stuff ready for Friday morning’s pre-game skate. I’ll get over to the rink at about 8:00 and prep the room with laundry and jerseys. The guys will roll in at about 10:00 (for an 11:00 practice). I do all the skates in the morning; then after practice, it’s Groundhog Day again, setting up the room with laundry and jerseys for the game.”
Without hesitation, Kullman, unlike many of his contemporaries in the AHL, can count on his trusty band of helping hands to lighten the workload.
“We’re very fortunate here because we have a lot of helpers who love to come to the rink and help out,” Kullman said. “But there are cities that you go to that they find it hard to get kids to come down to the rink and help, and get people that you can trust. Here in Hershey, it’s not a problem. We have kids that you can depend on and trust.”
As in life itself, the world of hockey equipment is ever-evolving, with new ground-breaking technology only a moment away .
“Every day there’s something new. There’s either a new pair of skates out on the market with a heated blade, or there’s a new stick design, new gear that’s smaller and makes you faster. It’s just like a cell phone. One day you get a brand new phone, and the next day it’s outdated because something newer and better has come along.”
If you’ve ever wondered how a player who breaks or loses his stick is so quickly able to get a new stick with all of the chaos going on, Kullman says that like in anything else in hockey, it’s a team effort.
“For sure I’ve got to pay attention, but there’s 20 players’ eyes and staff’s eyes as well. Somebody usually sees it and starts yelling the number; you need to know exactly where the sticks are on the rack. Sometimes, it takes a little longer, but I’m usually able to grab it and get throw it out there in time.”
Kullman, who by virtue of the Bears’ 2006 Calder Cup triumph had his named etched on the trophy, fondly remembers his time with the Cup in the summer of 2006.
“My family was visiting from Florida, so we spent the day with it up in the woods at my cabin. It’s always nice to look back at the photos. All that you want to do is win it again, because there’s nothing like it.”
The down to earth Kullman, despite all of the celebration that went with entertaining the Cup, made sure that he took time to remember a special friend, Steve Serche, a locker room attendant who departed this life before the Cup victory.
“Steve passed away earlier that season, so I made time to take the Cup out to his grave and spend time with his family there.”
Through good and bad, whether it’s the first game of the season or Game 7 of the Calder Cup finals, the Bears are lucky to have Kullman behind the bench, making sure they are well-equipped to handle any situation.