No icy feelings
Blues’ playmaker thankful for time in Texarkana as teenage Bandit
Aheart of gold goes well with a legendary silver trophy. Patrick Maroon is a Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues, has a generous heart and once played for the Texarkana Bandits’ hockey team.
Maroon stayed at the home of Texarkana businessman Fay J. Durrant and his wife, Norma, while he played for the Bandits in the National American Hockey League. The team was coached by Jon Cooper.
“Coming up through the NAHL was good,” Maroon said. “Jon Cooper and Kelly Chase recruited me. To be back in Texarkana with Fay J. and Norma, and to be back at the fairgrounds where we played, is neat. Texarkana is full of history, so it’s fun.”
Maroon was an integral part of the 2019 St. Louis Blues, who defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 7 to earn the title.
“Winning the Stanley Cup was a dream come true,” Maroon said. “I dreamt of it as a kid growing up. When I made it to the NHL, it was the peak of my career. Now that I have won it, I want to win more. It’s an honor to win the Stanley Cup. To do it in front of my family and my fianceé’s family was truly amazing.”
One of the most important things that Maroon learned from staying with the Durrants was the importance of being punctual.
“There were six kids in the house and everything was on time,” Maroon said. “We had to be on time with everything and had to make sure that we were ready to go. They taught us a lot about life and gave us everything that we needed. They made it feel like home.”
Maroon arrived at the Four State Fairgrounds VIP Lounge after he finished playing golf in the ProAm of the WAPT-APT tournament at Texarkana Country Club. Proceeds from the event, which continues today, benefits the Runnin’ WJ Ranch of Texarkana, Texas.
“I am glad that Fay J. included me in this charity event,” the Stanley Cup champion said. “I was eager to show my fianceé and my son where I played when I was 17 years old.”
Maroon would not change anything about the NHL. He believes that things are good.
“The NHL is going in a really good direction,” he said. “I think everyone does a good job in the NHL that works for them. I don’t think there is anything that needs to be fixed. There are a lot of people that are really enjoying hockey.”
The Blues star gave some insight on what it takes to be a champion.
“You need good guys in the locker room,” Maroon said. “Throughout the lineup, you have to have good guys, whether its your first line or second line. Defense wins championships, and you have to have a good goaltender.
“We went through some highs and lows, but it brought the team together. I think you need all of those pieces to win, and I think we had all of them.”