Ballhorn prides himself on willingness to learn
Gordie Ballhorn, 20, is a defencman with the Kelowna Rockets playing his final year of junior hockey.
Born and raised in Wetaskiwin, Alta., he's been with the team for the past three years.
He spoke with Courier editor James Miller about his long road to the Western Hockey League and his love of the game. This interview took place just prior to the start of the playoffs.
COURIER: Growing up, were you always one of the best guys on the team, or a late bloomer?
BALLHORN: I think I was a quick learner. One of the things that helped me get here is I try and be as coachable as possible, to learn, and to be a student of the game.
COURIER: Who is the most famous hockey player to ever come out of Wetaskiwin?
BALLHORN: One of my good friends, Matt Fonteyne, his grandpa, Val Fonteyne played in 800some games in the NHL and he still holds the career record for fewest number of penalty minutes with 26. There's a picture of him in the arena, as well as several other guys.
COURIER: You went undrafted. What was it like for you on draft day not getting picked?
BALLHORN: I was a little upset. A lot of my buddies were drafted. I was sitting in the computer lab and constantly hitting refresh, and a few of the guys beside me went, but I kept waiting and waiting and it never happened. But, I think it worked out for the best. COURIER: What happened next? BALLHORN: I played a year of junior A in Alberta when I was 17 and the day I got home, Lorne Frey from the Rockets called me and said, “We’d like you to come out to Kelowna and take a look.” I think three or four days later I was here, I signed a WHL contract and the rest is history.
COURIER: What's your advice to non-drafted players?
BALLHORN: Never give up. I took the road less travelled. I got in the league at 18, most guys are here when they’re 16 or 17. Some of the 16-year-olds will play in only 40 games instead of all 72 games. The big thing for me is go where you can play. Players all develop at different levels. Some of those 16-yearolds are no longer in the league and I’m fortunate enough to be one of the 20s (year olds) still playing.
COURIER: Do you play a second sport?
BALLHORN: I played baseball, I was a catcher and we won provincials. I was a big golfer, and still am. In junior high, I played basketball, volleyball and track-and-field.
COURIER: How do you feel about specialization? Do you think kids should play more sports?
BALLHORN: Absolutely. There's a lot of talk now about being a good athlete rather than a good hockey player. There’s guys out there playing hockey who can’t throw a football. Playing other sports helps not just in life, but in hockey. You will pick up stuff from all areas of sport and they will help you be a better person, and just not a better athlete. I got to the point where if I was going to stick with baseball, I’d have to travel to a different town so I decided just to play hockey.
COURIER: What’s been the highlight of your three years here?
BALLHORN: It will be super bittersweet when my time is up. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I have a couple of career highlights. Our Game 7 victory against Victoria when we scored with 0.2 seconds left to tie it and eventually win in overtime was one of them. We played Kamloops in their old Memorial rink for a Game 3 and that was a cool experience, playing in that little barn. Somehow they stuffed 4,000 people in there.
COURIER: You grew up an Oilers fan. Do you remember watching your present coach, Jason Smith, playing as a member of the Oilers?
BALLHORN: For sure. When they went on their ’06 Cup run, I watched every game. When I found out he was coming to Kelowna, it was pretty exciting. He has more than 1,000 NHL games under his belt. You can't be too starstruck because he's your coach and it's his job to make you better, but I've since formed a pretty good relationship with him.
COURIER: What are your plans for life after hockey?
BALLHORN: I want to stay in hockey, hopefully on the business side of it, front office or GM. There's a program at Athabasca University that offers a masters in hockey administration. COURIER: Sports movie? BALLHORN: Miracle. COURIER: All-time Oiler? BALLHORN: Ryan Smith. Growing up he had the long hockey hair and I used to have a mullet, and it was all due to him.
COURIER: If the Rockets were contestants on Survivor, which player would win?
BALLHORN: That's a tough one. I think James Hilsendager would do really well. He's big into fishing and he's pretty outdoorsy, he'd be good for getting the fire going and cooking. He gets along well with everyone, and he can definitely fend for himself.
COURIER: If someone could give you four tickets to any sporting championship in the world, what was you like to see?
BALLHORN: Probably something that doesn't come around every year. I'd maybe go with the FIFA World Cup finals. It would be interesting to go over to Europe, to one of those stadiums that puts 100,000 people into it for a game, and experience that. COURIER: Favourite road trip? BALLHORN: I like the Alberta swing, heading back home. Playing in the new Roger Centre in Edmonton, state-of the-art, was sweet. COURIER: Toughest rink to play in? BALLHORN: Seattle. Their fans are pretty wild and they always sell out whenever we're in town. COURIER: What’s your music? BALLHORN: I'm a country guy. Kenny Chesney.
COURIER: Being a veteran, do you have more input into what music is played in the dressing room?
BALLHORN: A little bit. We usually play country on our practice days before our skate. We have a couple of guys who are self-proclaimed DJs and they all have pretty good taste in music. We'll toss some suggestions their way, but they're pretty good at staying up to date.
COURIER: If I draw the No. 1 pick in my hockey pool, who would you suggest?
BALLHORN: Tampa Bay; I think they're going to have a long run this year. (Steven) Stamkos or (Nikita) Kucherov would be safe picks.