By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
Throughout the 2018-19 season the Kansas City Mavericks have been celebrating the team’s tenth year as a franchise. The team’s signature weekend of activities surrounding this celebration occurred over the January 11th weekend when the Mavericks hosted the Cincinnati Cyclones for a pair of games.
A number of Mavericks alumni were invited back to participate in a variety of events including Saturday night’s big induction ceremony as the team retired the first jersey in franchise history. The jersey being retired belonged to ex-team captain Sebastian Thinel. Thinel, the career scoring leader in franchise history, had his #43 raised to the rafters at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. In addition to Thinel other Mavericks alumni in attendance were Bryce Aneloski, Andrew Courtney, Charlie Effinger and Jared Lavender.
Effinger, who participated in Friday night’s ceremonial puck drop, was happy to be back inside the arena which holds so many memories for the long time goaltender. Effy as he was called by his teammates and a large following of Mavericks season ticket holders joined the team back in its inaugural season of 2009-10. One of the highlights for Charlie was the trade that sent him to Missouri from the Allen Americans. Not only did Effinger enjoy helping the Mavericks to make the playoffs in their first season but doing so just a few hours from home. Charlie’s hometown is Belleville, Illinois. Another fine memory of his stint with the Mavericks occurred in the 2011-12 season when Effinger “played with a good group of guys.” Effy felt good to get “Caught up in a playoff push, play before sold out crowds.” The season stands out to him due to Charlie feeling it was “As much fun as I have ever had.”
Today Effinger enjoys going to work every day on the 47th floor at the Empire State building. Effy is a head financial analyst for a New York based hedge firm.
Charlie played with current Mavericks head coach John Scott Dickson and enjoys following the team over the years. Effinger keeps up with other ex-Mavericks such as Andrew Courtney and Colt King. Charlie likes seeing friends continue the Mavs tradition here. Effy says the 2018-19 team has a good core group of players which will lead to a lot of fun for fans. Effinger’s review of the team proved accurate on the group of current players assembled as they beat Cincinnati Cyclones 7-6. The weekend proved to Mavericks fans both young and old that the team has a fine history and the current tenth season will only add to it.
