Exactly how big is East Coulee, Alberta?

Population of about 200 people. No store but it does have a bar.

You played for the Brandon University hockey program back when there was one. What do you remember from those days and will the program ever come back?

It was a sad day when BU announced they weren’t going to keep the program. I know that for myself when I came here in 1981, it absolutely created the way I live right now. If it hadn’t been for the BU hockey program, I don’t believe I’d be in Brandon. When I look around the community and I see the people that I played hockey with at BU, they’re all involved in the community, coaching and volunteering. I don’t believe we’ll ever see it back and that’s very unfortunate.

Being a teacher at Crocus Plains, does teaching kids in a classroom make for an easy transition on the ice?

Absolutely. I think the tips I picked up as a teacher helps me on the ice. Especially after you get 25 years under your belt and you start to really pick up some great social skills that really helps motivate kids.

Being a long-time hockey coach, what got you started?

It started in Erickson back in 1986 when I graduated. Luckily I got a job in Brandon teaching at King George school. Neelin had a hockey program and a friend of mine asked me to coach a year into their program.

Did you watch the Olympic gold medal men’s hockey game between Canada and the United States?

I did. I always pay attention to those kinds of games. I love to see the competition at the highest level possible. I had confidence that Canada would prevail in that game. I didn’t think it would be as tight as it was in the end however.

When you watched Sidney Crosby score the golden goal for Team Canada, did you break anything in your household when you jumped out of your seat?

(Laughing) No because I had just finished coaching my son’s pee wee hockey game. I got home and thought I’d lay down and watch the game. Sometimes when that happens, you doze off a bit. But I did wake up to see the goal and I did give a pretty good fist pump.

Doing the colour commentary for the Brandon Wheat Kings radio broadcasts on 880 CKLQ. What’s it like?

I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve always had an interest in radio, even as a kid. I used to play table hockey and always give the play-by-play and wear a little cassette microphone around my neck. However, I never really know whether I’m good at it or not but I hope I am. I know that when I listen to the NHL guys, I sure get sick of them in a hurry. I hope that’s not happening when people are listening to me.

What’s it like working with play-by-play voice for the Wheat Kings, Bruce Luebke?

If you ask Bruce, he’d say I don’t do any preparation (laughing). Actually, I do. Luebber (Luebke) is amazing to watch up there. The thing people don’t see is how a guy can talk through that entire hockey game and never miss a beat is amazing. It’s fun to watch him up there. He can multi-task and he’s not even female.

Multi-task?

I’ve actually witnessed him texting on his phone and still giving the play-by-play. I’ve also witnessed him find a stat on the side bulletin board while again, giving the play-by-play. He’s absolutely amazing and never misses a beat. So I try to always stump him and try to get him off his game. I’d mention some interesting fact about a team that’s in town that he’ll have no clue or ever top but you know what? He always seems to top it.

Do you enjoy watching and talking about players like Matt Calvert and Brayden Schenn?

It’s an amazing thing to watch and talk about those guys on a day-to-day basis on the radio. I think I see a lot of myself in Matt Calvert when I was his age. I really believe strongly in keeping the feet moving all the time and I think he’s one guy where you never see his feet stop on the ice. He can go forever it seems. He’s the real wave of the future for the NHL and I think he’s going to make a real impact. Brayden Schenn’s strength is along the wall, making things happen. Those two guys are NHL’ers without a doubt.

With the playoffs just around the corner, are the Wheat Kings rounding into form?

Kelly McCrimmon, in my opinion, is doing an amazing job of scouting and assessing player’s abilities. We’ve always as fans, kind of pushed the panic button early in the season because we’d see the Wheat Kings losing and of course, we’d look for reasons to criticize their progress. But the team seems to peak at the right times and they’re doing it again.

The acquisition of defenceman Travis Hamonic at the trade deadline. Was it a pivotal piece to the puzzle moving forward?

Yes and I think we have to be a bit patient with Travis. He’s coming off a bad injury that’s had him out of the lineup for a long time. Anybody that’s played at that level knows that you don’t just step on the ice the next day and be 100 per cent. It’s going to take a bit of time. But he still has a few games here and by then, he’s going to be in very good shape.

Yours truly predicted Andrew Hayes as the starting netminder when the Memorial Cup begins in May. Jacob De Serres might have something to say about that. Who will be in net when that time comes?

Oh man, you’re putting me on the spot. You know Jacob and Andrew, they’re comparable to my two goaltenders on the Crocus team. They’re both just right there and I couldn’t tell you today who’d be the guy that Kelly goes with. I think that what will happen is whoever gets hot when the playoffs begin, that could be the one that Kelly sticks with all the way through.