My life is richer for knowing Rich Preston
I love telling stories about someone who loves telling stories.
Therefore, we proudly bring you Rich Preston: The Sequel.
A few weeks ago in this cherished space, I wrote about the similarities between covering the Regina Pats under the coaching of Preston and John Paddock.
As it turns out, both of them were at the recent Memorial Cup — Paddock as the Pats head coach, and Preston as an interested observer in his capacity as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.
A few hours before the opening game of the CHL’s championship tournament, I dutifully checked my work voice-mail. There was one message, from Preston, informing me that he was in town.
I quickly responded, and spent the next 15 minutes laughing and marvelling at his stories.
For example, he has worked with all six of the NHL’s Sutter brothers — Brian, Darryl, Brent, Duane, Rich and Ron — during his hockey career. In fact, he even borrowed a Memorial Cup accreditation badge that had been designated for Rich Sutter.
Rich Preston ... Rich Sutter ... it was an embarrassment of Riches!
As it turned out, Rich — the Preston version — was doing an interview on CKRM’s Sports Cage at the same time that I was yakking on CJME’s Green Zone. Both shows were on location in the party zone at the Memorial Cup.
Following my segment, as I loitered, I heard someone shout: “Rob!”
It was Rich, mere days away from his 66th birthday but looking very much like 36, who approached me with a smile.
Rich was quickly encircled by other media types, such as Darrell Davis, Warren Woods and Jamie Nye. We all stood there, cracking up, as Rich fired off one story after another.
So, of course, I reminded him of a few others.
As a son of former Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Ken Preston, Rich was once a water boy for the CFL team. In fact, Rich’s final game in that capacity was the 1966 Grey Cup in Vancouver.
Although Rich is a hockey person, and a universally popular one at that, conversations with him inevitably turn to football.
For example, he attended the Roughriders’ first regular-season game at new Mosaic Stadium on July 1 of last year.
Rewinding much further, to the 1995-96 WHL season, Rich also demonstrated his passion for the Roughriders following one practice session at the edifice formerly known as the Agridome.
As I approached the door to the Pats’ dressing room, Rich happened to walk out and stopped me in mid-stride. He was not happy, or so it appeared.
Rich did a U-turn and directed me toward his office, whereupon I sat down. He then pointed toward a white board behind his desk.
On the board, Rich had written the names of 10 people who played for the Roughriders during the 1960s.
“You forgot these guys,” he told me.
“What? Huh?” I replied, eloquently.
“I saw the article you did the other day about the Riders,” he said, referring to a flashback I had written. “You forgot these guys.”
Beginning with Bill Burrell, and segueing nicely into Neil Habig and Bill Gray, Rich told me a funny story about every one of those erstwhile Roughriders.
I cannot recall with any clarity whether I asked Rich anything about the Pats that day. I must have, considering that I visited the arena for the purpose of doing a story, but the enduring memory is of cracking up at Rich’s stories.
Nothing has changed. On May 18, he held court, recalling some fun times he enjoyed while playing for the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
For example, he pointed out that his famously penurious father negotiated one of his pro hockey contracts.
“I told him, 'Make sure you negotiate up, not down,' " Rich said, as we chortled away.
Eventually, it was time to part company. Rich was off to visit some friends, and members of the media mob were hungry, their notinconsiderable stomachs growling audibly.
We shook hands and went in different directions — for a few seconds, anyway.
“Hold on,” Rich said, walking toward us. “Just one more story ..."