Bertuzzi, Staios, Primeau, Bancroft, Perrott
What’s in a name? Hockey prospects compared to their NHL dads
KITCHENER — The names on the backs of their sweaters get noticed as soon as they step on the ice.
Bertuzzi, Staios, Primeau, Bancroft and Perrott.
Soon after, the comparisons begin.
It’s the price that comes with being the son of a famous father.
In this case, for five teenagers competing at the Ontario Hockey League Gold Cup in Kitchener, the dads are all former National Hockey League players.
“Some people say we’re alike but I don’t know,” said Tag Bertuzzi, whose old man Todd played 18 seasons for six different National Hockey League clubs.
“He was more of a power forward and I’m more of a skilled guy.”
Fans judged for themselves Thursday during the first day of the tournament at the Activa Sportsplex.
The four-day gathering pits all-star teams from hockey associations in Ontario against one another in a bid for bragging rights, but also doubles as an audition for Hockey Canada’s Under-17 summer camp.
Joining Bertuzzi are fellow second-generation skaters Nathan Staios (son of Steve), Andrew Perrott (son of Nathan), Mason Primeau (son of Wayne) and Dalton Bancroft (son of Steve).
Following in your father’s footsteps has its pros and cons.
Bertuzzi shares his pop’s broad shoulders, strong strides and physical play. He also grew up dropping into professional hockey dressing rooms at will and had a front-row seat at Detroit Red Wings practices.
“It’s really cool,” said the 16year-old centre. “I got to see what it takes to be an NHL player, the high performance and how he acts on and off the ice. I saw what he did day to day, and that will help me in the long run in my career.”
Staios remembers going for dinner with some NHL stars as a kid while up-and-comers Sam Gagner, Tom Gilbert and Andrew Cogliano lived at his house when his dad played for the Edmonton Oilers. “I got to learn from them,” the defenceman said. “I think it really helped me. I know how to train in the off-season and all the work I have to put in.”
Bearing the family brand also has its challenges.
“It’s good and bad,” said Bertuzzi, who was selected second overall by the Guelph Storm in last month’s OHL draft. “Opponents would always chirp me for my last name. It’s cool to have the last name but then you have to live up to it.”
Staios admits there can be pressure to perform.
“I think a couple of years ago is when I started to feel it,” said the Windsor Spitfires prospect. “But now I just to try to focus on my game and stay engaged and not really worry about what is on the back of the jersey, and just play for what’s on the front.”
The comparisons are inevitable, especially when you’re a spitting image of your father.
“You get different reactions but everybody has their critics and their doubters,” said Primeau, whose dad Wayne ended his 15year career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“My dad is my dad and I’m me and I play my game. He’s attentive and he watches but he kind of lets me do my thing.”
The upshot is that the players have a fan for life in their fathers.
“We’re really close,” said Staios. “We do everything together. He drives me to games and gives me good advice. He’s not too hard on me. He’s understanding of what I have to do to get to the next level and supports me.”
OHL Gold Cup round-robin play continues Friday while the playoffs run Saturday and Sunday.