Earlier this month, I was invited to attend the American Hockey Leaugue Board of Governors meetings in Hilton Head, South Carolina along with fellow PHPA Executive Board members Jason Jaffray, Quintin Laing, and Graham Mink.  Figuring this would be a great opportunity to make new acquaintances and rekindle some old ones, I jumped at the chance. Joining us was Larry Landon, PHPA Executive Director, who vowed to serve as our unofficial guide on the trip. Also along (albeit for a shorter duration) was Tyler Johnson, who was flown in by the AHL to officially receive his League MVP award.

Admittedly, I didn’t really know going into the trip what to expect. Was I going to be put on the spot and asked to speak? What should I wear? Do I have to room with Mink? Everything seemed like a possibility when I stepped off the tiny Major League Cleveland Indians-esque prop plane that ferries tourists to and from the beautiful island of Hilton Head.

But once I was there, it was fairly obvious what was going on: dignitaries from the respective organizations arrived with families in tow, ready to not only get down to AHL business, but also enjoy a vacation with friends from all across the hockey world. As players, our responsibilities were largely centered around social gatherings: we were assigned to take part in the tennis and golf tournaments, as well as attend the hospitality rooms and closing banquet.

As you could imagine, we had a lot of fun. The beach was a stone’s throw away and the pool was always busy, complete with adjacent bar. But amongst the revelry, we also had the chance to rub elbows with some of the most important people in hockey, a group that included owners, General Managers, CEO’s, Presidents, and on down the list.

It wasn’t limited to AHL people. One night we were asked to join AHL President Dave Andrews and several members of his staff for dinner at a terrific steakhouse on the Island, when Bill Daly – the Deputy Commissioner of the NHL – decided to tag along and sit with us. It was a great chance for us to pick his brain on the current happenings at the NHL level and how they may affect us in the AHL going forward.

That dinner was just one example of the random nature of the event: one minute you might be talking to an old GM you played for, the next you’re speaking with the President of the AHL.

It also brought about an unforgettable event. Leaving the restaurant, I caught something out of the corner of my eye. And although I was only about 40% sure of what I thought it was, I had to know. So I forced Larry to make a prompt U-turn and bring us back to the Kangaroo Express gas station, where sure enough, there was a 12-foot alligator lashed to the roof of a blue mid-90’s T-top Camaro. It had been legally killed (and tagged by the Game Warden) by a shirtless guy named Scooter, who was deep into a six-pack of victory Miller Lites by the time we arrived on the scene.

But anyway. Back to business.

Having the chance to voice our opinions, we collectively decided beforehand that several talking points were of great importance to us. More than anything, we need to find a way to increase playoff bonuses while assuring everyone that the first round will be done before May 1st. Too many players are forced to pay for an extra month’s rent when in reality they might only be staying in their home city for another week. When Larry was given the the chance to speak in front of the Board, he made this very clear. And we, as players, reiterated it during conversations throughout the week.

We also talked about the PHPA Membership’s desire to have rule consistency between the NHL and the AHL, which is something we discussed during the Annual Player Rep meetings in Orlando the month before. While the AHL has led the way on some issues in the past – visors immediately come to mind – most of us would like to play by the same rules upon callup to the NHL.

For me, the biggest takeaway from the event was the human aspect. So often as players, we are simply gears in the machine, moving parts that can be replaced and modified as necessary over time. But when you enter a scenario like this, where everything is much more relaxed and the season is months away, you get to see a different side of the owners and general managers. Their families are there. The beach is a 50 yard walk away. In other words: they’re all in a great mood. And it’s the perfect time to engage them in conversation and get to know them as people, not just as your superior that is constantly evaluating and judging you.

I know many of us see management as anything but our friends. But the reality is that we’re all in this together. Professional hockey needs strong teams and management just as much as it needs talented and charismatic players. In the end we’re all responsible for growing the game. If there’s one thing I can pass along about the Hilton Head experience it’s this: get to know the people within your organization. Talk to your GM. Talk to the scouts. Ask about their path in hockey. Ask about their family. Be confident and carry yourself in a professional manner. While our performance on the ice is largely what defines our playing careers, the personal connections we making during that time have the ability to guide and enhance our lives once we hang ‘em up.

I wish everyone a safe 2013-14 season. See you on the ice.