From books to playoffs, still lots of hockey talk

Apparently some people read my column. There has been many times I have sat down to write and was mostly convinced the only people reading this were my parents and grandmother. The feedback I have received has been extremely positive and makes writing this column an enjoyable experience.

I can even venture to say it has introduced me to even more quality and exciting people throughout southern Alberta. I received a call a couple weeks ago from former University of Lethbridge professor Gordon Hunter. He started off the conversation by pointing out the title of my column and a book he just published shared the same title. I initially feared a complaint on my choice of title for this column but instead we met for happy hour and talked hockey.

Even better than talking to Gordon has been the opportunity to read his work.

His book “Hockey Talk” relates to the experiences of play-by-play announcers in hockey. Especially in junior hockey those poor announcers have to experience the same terrible road trips as the players. Several of the announcers who wrote pieces in the book I remember either from my playing days or have had the privilege to meet since. Even better, the proceeds from the book go to KidSport Lethbridge.

My impression of Gordon is that he likes to think outside the box. He wants the reader to experience a different story than what they are used to reading. Hearing about some of his upcoming ideas and reading through “Hockey Talk,” and my next book will be Gordon’s “The Older I Get the Better I Was.” Gordon’s work is all about experiencing that new perspective.

Now I certainly won’t be copying Oprah’s Book Club to start Matt’s Book Club but I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to meet new people who love the game of hockey. I appreciated getting to meet Gordon and the opportunity to read his book.

I also wanted to take an opportunity to acknowledge the people of Lethbridge for the support they gave to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in Game 7 on Tuesday night. Unfortunately that was the only game in the series that I was able to attend but a great win by the Hurricanes to help excite and energize our city.

Being that I don’t have a vested interest in any WHL team and I do work for Hockey Alberta, I try not to root. I try to be as impartial as I can. But I was talking to former Hurricane Mark Greig the other day and he said something that really hit me. He enlightened me to the role models the Hurricanes play in this city and the way they can electrify hockey in our city.

Mark is a scout in the NHL and I am sure he doesn’t root either. But being residents of Lethbridge it should be extremely exciting to the Hurricanes that as 16-20-year-olds they carry with them the role of motivating the young hockey players in our city and rallying the rest of the hockey fans. Especially now when all eyes are turned to them, the players and staff have done an exceptional job of walking in the limelight.

As I said, I don’t root for results but I do cheer for good things to happen to good people.

Talking to Brent Kisio and Mike Craig, they are excited for their victory over Red Deer and the opportunity to play Medicine Hat.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Shaun Clouston, Bobby Fox and the Tigers. Either way good people are going to move on from this series, but I do know what this series means to our great city.

The Hurricanes have an entire city behind them and each player and staff member on that team should be proud of the role they play in motivating and connecting our city. Best of luck to both teams and I look forward to watching some great hockey and seeing that great environment at the Enmax Centre again next week.

Lastly, a quick congratulations to the local kids who made Team South for Alberta Cup (Brayden Kapty, Blake Condor, Kadyn Chabot, Ridly Greig, Scout Truman and Cole Tisdale). Best of luck to the kids trying out for Pee Wee Prospects this weekend and the Alberta Challenge Cup the weekend after.