TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Going Nowhere Without Him

ADVERTISEMENT

By CARTER GADDIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 18, 2007

Updated: 12/17/2007 11:14 pm

TAMPA - Phil Thibodeau has kids of his own, 9-year-old Dalton and 5-year-old Dylann. At work, the man they called "Tibs" is responsible for the off-ice well-being of 20 or so grown men.

"If I had to put a tag on it, I'd say guys like me, we're den mothers," Thibodeau said. "I mean, really, that's what we are. We take care of the guys that make the team."

Without the director of team services, the Lightning wouldn't go anywhere - literally. Thibodeau's primary duty is to make sure all travel arrangements are in place long before the team boards a bus or plane, checks into a hotel or arrives at an out-of-town practice facility.

"Come July, the schedule comes out," said Thibodeau, in his 11th season with the Lightning after spending four years in the same position with the Chicago Blackhawks. "I immediately sit down with Coach John Tortorella. We map it out. When we're going to leave, what time we want the plane to leave. Are we going to go a day early on this trip? Are we not going to go a day early? Are we going to stay downtown? Is it a back-to-back? If it is, we will stay closer to the arena so the guys can sleep.

"Torts is a real big believer in getting the guys their rest. And our schedule dictates that. It's to get the guys as much rest, so they're on the bus and plane as little as possible."

It's not all about travel. When rookies or recently recalled minor-leaguers arrive, they usually turn to Thibodeau to help them settle into the community.

"If they get traded here or sign here, we help them get their kids in school," he said. "We help them get acclimated to where they should be. Do they want to live in the suburbs? Are they single? Do they want to live downtown?

"Obviously, we want everybody to feel comfortable here and make the right decisions so that their lives are a little more stress-free and they just have to worry about winning hockey games."

The NHL collective bargaining agreement stipulates that a new roster addition stays at a hotel until the team informs the player in writing that it's OK to find more permanent living arrangements. Eventually, a player can earn the right to move into an extended-living hotel, complete with a kitchenette.

It's up to Thibodeau to make sure those players are well-situated.

"Some guys actually spend the entire year in a hotel," Thibodeau said. "Guys literally that are on the bubble, if we have five days off here, they're going to go down to the minors and play for five days, then come back. They're kids and it's not the end of the world. You get used to room service and living in a hotel. But when they get that call, 'Hey, it's OK to get a place,' that's the big deal. Then they know they can breathe a little."

Whether on the road or at home, Thibodeau is on call just about 24 hours a day. In that respect, his job description is like that of a high-level concierge.

"The toughest part is to say no," Thibodeau said. "I don't want to say no. I love being part of the team.

"I really don't say it often, to be honest with you. I should. I'd probably live longer. But I don't mind doing things for the guys. That's just me. ... I just like seeing the guys happy. That's why I have this job, I guess."

Reporter Carter Gaddis can be

reached at (813) 259-8291

or igaddis@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT