Former NHLer rooting for Team Canada at Games
Tyler Bouck among former pros playing in charity game against Canadiens alumni today in Kelowna
Tyler Bouck, for one, has every faith in Canada’s non-NHL Olympians in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
After playing the better part of nine seasons in North America — including 91 NHL games split between Dallas, Arizona and Vancouver — the Kelowna resident ended his career with the Ingolstadt Panthers of the German league in 2014. He’s seen firsthand how skilled the players (Canadian and otherwise) are in Europe.
“Everyone really gets excited to see the NHL players, but I’ve got renewed interest,” said Bouck, 38.
The Canadians are “coming together with a lot of pride,” he added.
For the first time since 1994, the National Hockey League isn’t involved in the Winter Olympics. Hockey Canada instead iced a team comprised of pros playing in Europe. While there are many ex-NHLers, there are no former Olympians to defend Canadian gold from Sochi 2014 and Vancouver 2010.
Hockey Canada chose its players based on their performances from seven international tournaments that began last August.
That’s plenty of time to form a bond, Bouck said.
“I would think it would come quickly,” he said. “I think chemistry won’t be an issue.”
While Bouck admitted making the decision to play in Europe is difficult for Canadians — “you know you’re giving up on that dream to play in the NHL” — he said playing in Europe was a great decision.
“I’m so happy we went,” the father of three said.
He’s certain the Canadians in South Korea are just as motivated to win gold as NHLers would be, but you can’t consider them a lock.
There’s a deep talent pool overseas.
“The Swedes, the Finns, even the Swiss players, they’re so good,” Bouck said. “Any of these guys, it’s all about who comes together at the right time.”
After retiring from the game, Bouck settled in the Okanagan full time and now sells real estate. He’s no stranger to the Valley. Born in Camrose, Alta., he played four seasons with the Prince George Cougars before the Dallas Stars drafted him 57th overall in 1998. He remained close to Kelowna as he chased full-time NHL work.
As a result, his three sons, ages 11, eight and three, are right at home here.
“Somehow we timed it well,” Bouck said, “and they were all born at Kelowna General Hospital.”
Now he’s happily a hockey dad, having coached all of them in minor hockey. When asked if they have their eyes on pro hockey, Bouck is pragmatic. He’s not pushing them into the “academy system” and instead encourages them to try other sports in the spring (they play lacrosse). In the summer, they spend time together as a family.
Bouck said he’s not against setting such a lofty goal of pro hockey, but a child needs to know the reality.
“If the kid’s passion is there, you definitely want to support it,” he said. “(But) education is so important. You want to have that backup plan.”
His boys will see him play today when Bouck teams with some other former pros in a charity game against the Montreal Canadiens Alumni in support of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.
Habs such as Patrice Brisebois, Marc Andre Bergeron, Stephane Richer, Chris Nilan, John Scott, Oleg Petrov, Keith Acton, Norman Dupont and goalie Richard Sevigny are expected. Steve Shutt is to coach.
Tickets for the 2 p.m. game at Memorial Arena in Kelowna cost $20 each (plus taxes and fees) or $70 for a family pass (four tickets, plus fees).