Joel Rechlicz loved every minute he spent in a Hershey Bears uniform during two stints with the AHL's oldest franchise. So much so, in fact, the 28-year-old right winger would enjoy nothing more than another stay in Chocolatetown.
"My heart's in Hershey, where it's always been," Rechlicz said Thursday. "It's the best place, the best hockey town, and the fans are so genuine. I would love to come back here."
Whether it happens remains to be seen, but the free-agent forward - who ranks as one of the team's most-popular players in recent memory - never passes up a chance to spend time in central Pennsylvania.
Rechlicz just completed a five-day stay as an instructor at the Edge Performance Hockey summer skills camp for youth players at Twin Ponds East rink in Lower Paxton Township.
And a smile was pretty much plastered to his face the whole time.
"I have a blast, just being out there with the kids and in an ice arena in the summer," Rechlicz said. "I love being around hockey. It's my life. It's great helping these kids learn the game and become better hockey players on and off the ice.
"For me, personally, I love seeing all the kids that were here last year and they've improved so much. I love talking with their parents about how much better their kids have gotten. It's very gratifying for us coaches to see that."
Rechlicz - nicknamed Recker for his physical and fistic play on the ice - joined fellow former Bears Frederic Cassivi, Rob Shearer and Kris Newbury as part of a camp staff overseeing players age 7 to 14.
Former Hershey Bears forward Joel Rechlicz, right, swaps punches with Adirondack Phantoms foward Derek Mathers during the 2013-14 home opener at Giant Center. Rechlicz, one of Hershey's most popular players in recent memory, would love to return to the Bears if he had the chance.
Fundamentals of skating, stickhandling and shooting were stressed through drills and scrimmage games, capped by Thursday's "championship" contests complete with a homemade Stanley Cup in three age brackets.
"It's so important to give back to the community that's always embraced me," Rechlicz said. "When I grew up, I really didn't have coaches that would take the time to work with me.
"Me, Rob and Freddy and all the staff here, we just love helping kids and seeing them improve. We run a really good camp. We have 75 kids, up from 60 kids last summer. I get a lot of out of watching them have fun and improve their skills."
Rechlicz played 101 games for the Bears during parts of four seasons from 2010 through 2014, racking up 491 penalty minutes. He chipped in three goals and two assists during that span, but was mostly remembered as someone who never backed down from a fight and stood up for his teammates - qualities that endeared him to fans at Giant Center.
Last year, he suited up for 20 games for the AHL's Iowa Wild, top affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. He scored one goal and had 60 penalty minutes.
"I'm still looking for a home, looking for a place to play right now," Rechlicz said. "I'm hoping something works out here soon, because you get a little antsy. I've been working out pretty hard this summer, getting in really good shape. I'm waiting to find something.
Hershey Bears forward Joel Rechlicz autographs his No. 19 throwback jersey after Deb Sensenig of Intercourse, Lancaster County, submitted a high bid of $2,000 during the 2013-14 opening-night auction at Giant Center. Rechlicz's jerseys always fetch high bids during postgame specialty jersey auctions.
"I'm just looking to have a really good year and be the best teammate I can be, by working with the young guys and by being a positive guy in the locker room. Wherever I can go, fit in and get a chance to be that guy, I'm hoping something works out."
With 258 career AHL, IHL and NHL games under his belt, Rechlicz is just shy of the 260-game "veteran" threshold, meaning whichever team signs him doesn't have to worry about him counting against the nightly vet roster limit of six. Whether that's enough to help land him a job somewhere remains to be seen.
"It was OK [in Iowa] last season, but it's no Hershey," he said. "I do miss playing here. I haven't talked to [Bears president and general manager] Doug Yingst yet. Hopefully I can get ahold of him soon. We were supposed to talk, but it didn't work out."
Efforts to reach Yingst were unsuccessful Thursday. A voicemail message on his work phone said he would be out of the office until Aug. 3.
No matter where he ultimately signs for the 2015-16 season, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Rechlicz will be all business when he steps onto the ice.
"We'll see what happens," he said with a smile. "I'm hoping something works out. I know I have a lot to offer a team. Even though I didn't play a lot last year, I know I still have a lot to offer a team. Something will work out."
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