A First Look at the Joel Rechlicz “Bobble Fist”

Real Joel Rechlicz (left) holds bobble fist Joel Rechlicz (right) after practice Thursday morning

The Hershey Bears have had many bobble head nights though the years, but Saturday night will be a first in the Chocolate and White’s history. The Bears will hold Joel Rechlicz “bobble fist” night this Saturday, December 21st. The head does not move on this giveaway, but the object that has made Joel famous on the ice, will.

Joel Rechlicz in mini form (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

“Recker” got his first look at the final product that will be given to the first 5,000 fans Saturday night after practice on Thursday. His reaction was one of excitement as tapped the fists on the figurine and exclaimed “Old time hockey!”
Rechlicz had been part of the design process and made one correction. “I saw the first one that came out and my hair was blonde. I wasn’t too happy about that to be honest with you. So I talked with Doug (Yingst) and asked him to fix that. But this is awesome. It turned out really good.”

The Wisconsin native has never even had a bobblehead made of him. “This is quite an honor, this is very cool.” He said he never had heard of the “bobble fist” promotion before. “I guess there is a first time for everything,” said Joel. Former Bear Dennis Bonvie had a bobble fist of his own made with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins a few years back, but the bobble fist is a very new promotion around hockey.

The detail on the bobble fist is amazing, from the face, to the “patches” on the jersey, to the “Rechlicz 19” on the back. Below the jump, check out up close photos of the giveaway of mini Joel.

Click to enlarge. All photos by Kyle Mace