Wakaw rallying behind hometown hockey hero
Vey excited to play for Team Canada and thankful for support from Saskatchewan
As the Olympics draw closer, the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon StarPhoenix are teaming up to profile each of Saskatchewan’s seven athletes. Today, we interview hockey player Linden Vey.
In small-town Saskatchewan, the Olympics are a big deal.
All you have to do is take a look at what’s happening in the little town of Wakaw, population of 1,000 and home of Canadian Olympic men’s hockey player Linden Vey.
Next Wednesday (Valentine’s Day) has been declared “Vey Day ” as residents paint the town red.
Store windows, storefronts and entrances are being decorated around town. Customized red “Vey 91” T-shirts are available to wear.
A social media campaign has been launched with the hashtag #SmallTownBigPride.
Wakaw residents are signing a Canadian flag that will soon cross the globe and be delivered to Vey at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in South Korea.
Meanwhile, they’ll be gathering in the Wakaw Recreation Centre for a viewing party to watch Canada’s game on Feb. 16.
For Vey, it’s a thrill to have both the support of his hometown and also from family members travelling to South Korea.
“Throughout my hockey career, they’ve been really supportive,” Vey said this week from Riga, Latvia, where Canada’s men’s team staged its final preparations before heading over to South Korea.
“It doesn’t surprise me, the stuff that they’re doing.”
Vey will soon be joined by some of his family members, including his mom Brigette, brother Shaun and sister Lindsay.
“The one special thing about the Olympics is that it’s one of those things you can share with loved ones,” said Linden.
“I’ve got eight people, family members, coming over to watch it. It’s not just an experience for me — for myself, it’s going to be amazing, but to have them come and support and be a part of it is pretty special. I know it means a ton to my mom, my wife and my siblings and my wife’s siblings. Those people have been supporting me my whole career and to have them be able to be a part of it is very special to me.”
NHL EXPERIENCE
Vey is one of the former NHLers on Canada’s roster. Vey — who played bantam AA hockey in Naicam and midget AAA for the Beardy’s Blackhawks before joining the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers under Team Canada coach and Saskatoon native Willie Desjardins — was drafted by the L.A. Kings. He played 139 NHL games for the Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames. However, he spent most of his career playing in the AHL, recording 81 goals and 162 assists in 295 games.
The 27-year-old forward is in his first season outside North America. He was third in KHL scoring before parting ways with Barys Astana in mid-January – after Barys missed out on a playoff spot — to join the ZSC Lions of the Swiss A League for the rest of the season.
In 50 games, he put up 17 goals and 35 assists for Astana.
“Deciding to come out overseas was probably one of the better decisions I’ve made,” said Vey, whose dad, Curtis, was convicted in 2016 of conspiring to murder Brigette.
“A lot has happened for me back home the last few years and I haven’t played as good of hockey as I wanted to and I wanted to come over here. My wife (Kacy) and I made the decision to go and get a fresh start. It’s been a great year.”
The personal turmoil is not something you can easily get over.
“Coming over here and kind of getting away from that aspect was a big kind of relief,” Vey said. “Whether we stay for one year or 10 years, we wanted something new and we get to see a different part of the world. Coming over here was kind of a breath of fresh air and a chance to get away from all that (pain and drama). Nobody really knows about that on this side of the world and it was kind of just a fresh start and I think it’s probably one of the reasons why it’s one of the best years, professionally, that I have had.”
“Canada is so passionate about their sport and, for me, the last 20 years, just watching the Games has been an amazing experience,” Vey said.
“Now, to be in a position to be able to play and represent your country, means everything.”