RoadRunners send Open Letter to Topeka Community

Save

Dear Topeka Community, from RoadRunner Captains
Posted: 2:42 PM May 7, 2008
Last Updated: 2:42 PM May 7, 2008

18 comments

A | A | A

Dear Topeka Community,

As Captains of the 2007-2008 Topeka Roadrunners hockey team we would like to extend our gratitude to the Topeka Community for all of your support. We start by thanking our always gracious and supportive owner Mary Magdalene Lorang for everything she has done, the Roadrunners would not be the great franchise they have become with out her. Along with Mary we would also like to recognize our coaches Scott Langer, Mike Aikens, and Mark McFarland, thank you for believing in us and showing us how to be a great team on and off the ice. The voice of the Roadrunners, Arch Ecker, thanks for keeping us connected to our fans both at home and on the road. Next we would like to thank our booster club, from jackets for Alaska, to jersey auctions, and the never-ending support, we couldn’t have done it without you. Along with the booster club we would also like to recognize the billet families, thank you for opening up your homes and letting us be part of your families, we will be forever grateful. Last but certainly not least we would like to thank our fans, without you we would not have had the best season in Roadrunner history, you really are one of a kind. We will be leaving soon with great memories of this season and know that Roadrunner’s to come will have the privelage of coming to the great hockey town of Topeka.

Sincerely,

John Stoddard, Tommy Hill, and Aaron Gens

More Stories
Ex-NFL QB Steve McNair Shot To Death

Stewart Wins At Daytona After Last-Lap Wreck

Callaspo drives in 3 as Royals beat White Sox 6-4

Serena Williams beats sisters Venus at Wimbledon

Briscoe Wins Pole At The Glen

Should Tiger Save The World Or Just Save Par?

Serena Remains No. 2 Despite Another Major Title

Princeton Will Face Brown In Temple Cup Final

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: cheyenne Location: topeka kansas on May 30, 2008 at 09:54 PM
john tommy and aaron thanks for a great season!!!! i hope u guys hav a great time moving on!!! and aaron i hope u hav a great time with fairbanks!!!it was nice haveing u guys on the team u are kool!!!and nice skateing with u guys after the games!!!and thank u and the rest of the team for an AWSOME season!!!! hope to see moust of them next year!!!!

Posted by: PAL Location: Topeka on May 8, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Tommy, John and Aaron-This is the hardest part of the game knowing you guys have to move on but the easiest part is expressing my sincerest appreciation for everything you have all done for me personally as a Roadrunner fan. In all your future conquests may your blades stay sharp and you always find the back of the net!!! Thank you very much-all take care and ditto on the visits. :)

Posted by: Kim Location: Topeka on May 8, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Thank you guys so much! Not only for a fantastic season, but introducing me to, and then letting me fall in love with, the sport of hockey. You will be missed!

Posted by: Kay Location: Silver Lake on May 8, 2008 at 05:06 PM
John,Tommy & Aaron: You are wonderful young men who brought alot to Topeka & hockey. A big thank you to you and the other members of the Roadrunners for bringing us our best hockey season ever. You've definately set the bar high. Best wishes to all of you as you leave us. You'll be forever in our hearts and always welcome back. Love to all of you.

Posted by: Joe Location: Topeka on May 8, 2008 at 02:55 PM
As my Elders tried to teach me: You are welcome, Captains John, Tom, and Aaron. It has been my privilege to support you this year. I wish you continued success in your future.

Posted by: David Streeter Location: Hockey Country, Kansas on May 8, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Stoddard, Gens, and Hill will never be forgotten by the Topeka hockey faithful. Their contributions were key to the success of this team all throughout the season. We are proud to have you guys here and wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors. I had the privilege of doing some short interviews with each of these young men this season. They were all well spoken and represented this town and organization well. THANK YOU!!

Posted by: Topeka Blade Location: Topeka on May 8, 2008 at 11:04 AM
No, thank you gentlemen, to you and your teammates. You not only did yourselves proud, but you gave us a sound footing for Topeka hockey. You're going to be hard to forget.

Posted by: Scott "Smacky" Langer Location: Topeka Nation on May 8, 2008 at 10:57 AM
My Thanks goes to you three captains for making my job an easy one. I will always have a place in my heart for each one of you. Your class, character and maturity has set the bar for every other team I will have the privelage to coach. When I look at the Roadrunners Ten Commandments: 1) Thou Shalt honor the coaching staff and Teammates 2)Thou Shalt serve no other owner 3)Thou shalt never be outworked on the ice 4)Thou Shalt never take a shift off 5)Thou shalt keep the interest of the team above all else. 6)Thou shalt conduct thyself appropiately at all times. 7)Thou shalt not take stupid penalties 8)Thou shalt remain focused for 60 minutes every game. 9)Thou shalt never allow the opponent to dictate the game. 10)Thou shalt celebrate team accomplishments above personal. Besides the stupid penalties, every other commandment was fullfilled. I again want to thank you the Leaders. The Players who shared the common direction and sense of community, to get where we needed.

Posted by: mike Location: Roadrunner Nation on May 8, 2008 at 10:52 AM
You three were our first Roadrunner Captains and will always have a special place in our hearts. Thanks.

Posted by: BUCKETMAN Location: Topeka on May 8, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Guys, the only thanks here is from us to you! Good luck from here on out in your lives! BUCKETMAN

Posted by: Paul Location: Topeka on May 8, 2008 at 10:46 AM
A big tap of the hockey stick to these three young men who gave the Road Runners team good solid leadership and also gave the Topeka hockey faithful an inaugural season one to remember. Good luck to John, Aaron and Tommy in all that they do. You'll be missed, but please feel free to come back to your "other home" here in Kansas any time.

Posted by: Larry Location: Topeka on May 8, 2008 at 09:34 AM
We're all so very grateful for bringing back "hockey hope" to Topeka. You've made history here that no one could have envisioned. Thanks guys and "the Red Light" will miss you. All the best in your future endevours!