Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
By Andrew Vitalis
He’s not a rookie anymore, but Charlie Kronschnabel will admit he’s still adjusting to life as a pro.
“I thought I could do anything after playing at Alaska, but I travel even more now. You find yourself on a lot of long bus rides,” laughed Kronschnabel.
He knows a thing or two about traveling. Just seven years ago, Kronschnabel left high school hockey behind, turning to the USHL. After two seasons there, the Mendota, Minnesota native took a leap of faith.
Overlooked by most scouts, he decided to walk on at the University of Alaska Anchorage. It’s safe to say the Seawolves had no idea who they were getting. If they did, an immediate scholarship would have been part of the deal.
As a freshman, “Kronsch” burst onto the ice, easily becoming one of the most durable, and dependable players in the program. He held that reputation throughout his career at Anchorage, even being named captain his senior season. Not bad for a walk-on.
He finished his time in the green, gold and white with 24 goals and 40 assists. Those numbers included a shortened senior season due to an injury.
“I think about my senior year there, a couple of us went off and played some pro games right after the college season,” remarked Kronschnabel. “It’s funny, that’s almost three years ago. I’ve almost been out of college as long as I was in college.”
Kronschnabel, nicknamed “Kronsch”, went right to work on his professional resume, playing in 11 games to end the 2006-07 season. Although it was a brief glimpse at both the AHL and ECHL levels, he remembers finding out right away what the differences were between the college game and the professional game.
“Just the number of games,” remarked Kronschnabel, when asked about the differences. “In college, you would play 28 games and everyone would be going 100 mph out there, all in different directions. At this level, things are much more controlled; everyone is where they should be. It’s just a different game.”
A different game indeed, on and off the ice. Kronschnabel found out that the politics of the game were certainly different right away. After signing a two-way contract (AHL-ECHL deal) with Reading last season, he was invited to the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp. Soon after, Kronschnabel received a call from the organization. The numbers within the program weren’t favorable and he was the odd man out.
“They gave me an option. They asked me if I wanted to dissolve the contract and that’s what happened,” mentioned Kronschnabel. “It was kind of tough, but I appreciated their honesty.”
Instead, he signed a one-year ECHL contract, meaning his chances at getting back to the AHL would have to wait for at least one more year. He returned to Reading, playing in 72 games, scoring 35 points. In addition, Kronschnabel was as steady as they come in the playoffs for Reading, tallying three goals and five assists in 13 games played. Once again, despite being overlooked, he let his game do the talking.
“It’s a tough game. I think it’s really difficult to go through the system when you’re not that good at a young age. It’s just a longer process to go around the system. Trying to make a name for yourself becomes more difficult the older you get,” stated Kronschnabel. “You have to work extra hard showing people you’re a guy who is valuable on the ice, a guy who can do the little things. I’ve never been unbelievable at any level, but I’ve been able to do the little things, work hard, and I’ve been able to find a role.”
And teams have begun to finally take notice. In August of 2008, Kronschnabel signed another two-way deal (AHL-ECHL contract), this time with the Anaheim Ducks organization. Currently playing with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL, he once again has his radar locked on the AHL. Kronschnabel, as usual, shows up to the rink everyday with his hard hat in one hand and his shovel in the other.
“It’s a work in progress. I’ve gotten off to a little bit of a slow start this season, but if I remember right, I started out the same way last year before I got things going,” mentioned Kronschnabel. “Statistics have really never been something I have thought about. I just try on playing a solid game and when opportunities come, I try and bury them.”
He hopes the opportunities will come, and not just on the ice. At the end of the season, Kronschnabel will once again find himself in limbo. After signing a one-year deal, he finds himself in the unenviable position of playing for professional and financial security.
“If I said I never thought about it, I’d be lying,” said Kronschnabel, when asked about his upcoming contract. “You do think about it at times, but you can’t let that take you over. It would be nice to have a strong end of the year, sign a deal earlier rather than playing the wait and see game.
“I think (the key) is to find someone you trust as an agent and just stay out of it,” continued Kronschnabel. “It’s a big deal finding an agent who is out there looking out for your best interest. It’s just one less thing to worry about.”
Let’s be honest, as he’s shown throughout his career, when it comes to Charlie Kronschnabel, why worry?
