Category: Penguins

First, can you let readers know a bit about Pensburgh and what they should expect to see from your coverage over in 2014?

Hi everyone, thanks for having me over, you can find us at pensburgh.com where we have analysis and thoughts on all the news and happenings around the Pittsburgh Penguins. We’ll have statistical analysis and also add context with what our writers see and how events that unfold today will affect the Pens in the future. We also have game-threads and recaps where our community of Pens fans love to chime in and talk all things hockey and the Pens!

Every team closely guards with metrics they use to analyze players, but the Penguins definitely do consider these things in their acquisitions- use of advanced stats was cited in the decision to acquire James Neal. But, then again, the Pens also traded 2 second round picks for Douglas Murray, who’s been one of the worst players in the league in possession-based and shot-based stats, so I wouldn’t say their every decision is ruled by pure analytics.

I think the rise of advanced stats happened in hockey for the same reasons it happened in baseball or any other sport- technology has advanced to the point where a lot more data is tracked these days. Naturally teams can use this data to attempt to gain an advantage over conventional wisdom by trying to add more context to players and attempt to project how they can get more value or better performance by using new tools and measures that just weren’t available years ago.

The natural fit would be Matt Moulson- he’s a goal scoring 1^st line winger who played very well with John Tavares with the Islanders and would be a natural to replace the injured Pascal Dupuis. The problem will be that Moulson is going to be among the best available “rental” player options and with that comes a high price to pay in a trade. Will the Pens want to trade even more picks/prospects again this year? It looks like a guy like Simon Despres could be on the outs, but it’s hard to see the Pens trading away any bluechip prospects or any roster players.

Fleury’s played 60+ games five times in his career- he’s been a very steady and capable regular season goaltender to handle a big workload and perform generally pretty well. He’s been around seemingly forever, but is still only 29 years old and in tremendous shape, I don’t fear too much of a burn out- top goalies love to play in every game and while they have leaned heavily on Fleury, he’s shown so far that he can handle it.

Now, whether that will translate into playing even at a decent level in the playoffs is a whole different issue. I don’t truly think it matters if Fleury plays a lot in the season or a little for his post-season performance. He’s still got to make saves in April no matter how many games he played earlier in the year.

Lots of excitement over the Olympics. But with so many Penguins making Olympic teams (seven?) – should fans be more worried about the effect it will have on the team long term this season?

It’s a valid concern, especially considering all the injuries the Pens have had to deal with and the fact the Pens have some older Olympians (Orpik, Martin, Kunitz and Jokinen are all 30+ years old). But, also, we can remember that just about every other top player in the league is also going to the Olympics, so every team really has the worry of how their top couple players will be late in the year. I’d like to think that for most, the thrill of wearing their country’s jersey and getting to represent them on such a big stage will provide enough of a lift to get them through it and back.

You also have to look at the constants, guys who have played in every game. Sidney Crosby is far and away the best player in the world and he’s helped Chris Kunitz to the top of the league’s scorers as well. Fleury’s played a ton and he’s provided very even and solid efforts for the most part. Matt Niskanen has played every game and has had a terrific season. The Pens have had to deal with their injuries- including some to top players- but they’ve been fortunate that some of their best and most consistent players have been able to stay in the lineup all season.

Bylsma had no choice but to play a lot of guys with all the injuries in some cases. Also, the Penguins have a teenaged defenseman in Olli Maatta, that’s almost unheard of. I don’t always agree with Bylsma’s every personnel decision, but it’s hard to argue with his record and the job he’s done putting the best team out there. Performance matters and some of the guys who haven’t performed or progressed as much as the coaches have hoped for aren’t going to stay in the lineup every night.

Bylsma has tried to play guys like Beau Bennett and Jayson Megna, and both have looked good when they’ve been able to stay healthy. If a young player performs and plays well (again, think Olli Maatta) the door is open for him to become as big a part of the team as he can handle.

Outside of Boston, nothing in the East is really too special on paper. But, playoff series aren’t played on paper and many times #7 and #8 teams can win a couple rounds of the playoffs. Especially with heated rivals like Philly and Washington- two teams that always rise their intensity and compete level to give Pittsburgh their best.

The Penguins really shouldn’t lose to a division team this year, but in the NHL playoffs surprises can happen when the right mix of emotion, momentum and a hot goalie come into play, so I don’t think it’ll be a cakewalk either. I’m not too concerned about the Pens not getting enough high quality opponents, they’ll have rival teams that will really test and push them early in the playoffs and if they make it late, they’ll be facing higher quality opponents just like any other season.

When a defenseman plays 26-28 minutes a night and handles the puck as much as Letang, he’s going to have turnovers, there’s no way around it. The mistakes he makes are mostly mental, physically he’s one of the best athletes and skaters in the league. I definitely think the Pens should hang on to him at this point. His salary isn’t as high as people think in the new age of the rising salary cap (seriously- watch when PK Subban gets a new contract).

Letang has bumps in the road and is far from a perfect player, but he’s also a unique talent that is capable of adding a lot to the team and isn’t the type of player that a team trades away and ends up being better for doing so.

That’s a good question, and the answer is they’re not much different. The hope is that getting Rob Scuderi back will stabilize Kris Letang’s play and that would be a boost. Goaltending in the playoffs is a huge question mark. Depth wise, the Pens are worse off in personnel (with Matt Cooke, Tyler Kennedy, Brenden Morrow, Jarome Iginla all gone) and Dupuis out too is a big blow.

The organization, by keeping Bylsma and not making any huge trades, likes the core they have in place. Last year with Tuukka Rask playing red hot and only giving up 2 goals in 4 games to the Pens probably won’t happen again, at least they hope.

The Pens have won 13 straight home games, Sidney Crosby is on a roll, it’s a fun time to be a Pens fan. Hopefully the Olympics will be exciting and we’ll see which Pens bring back medals and then it’ll be time to ramp it up for the playoffs again.

Rob Brown:

First, can you let readers know about your coaching career – how you got started and what you like most as a coach?

After I retired I spent the first full year as a stay at home dad to let my body heal, and more importantly, spend some much needed quality time with my two year-old twins.  After the year was over I knew I needed to start a new career and a good friend of mine ran a hockey academy and asked if I would like to try coaching at it.   After spending time on the ice with these kids, I knew this was where I wanted my next career to go towards.

I love helping kids reach their hockey goals whether it be making a higher level team or learning how to raise a puck.  It took me back to when I was a kid and hockey was simply a game we played cause we loved it.

How difficult has it for you to transition from the NHL to a second career – and how were you able to do so?

I never really found it difficult as I left the game when I was ready to leave.  I had no regrets and knew I was time to move on.  I never considered myself solely a hockey player  I felt I was just somebody who was fortunate to play a game I loved as a job. So when I retired I didnt see myself as losing my identity as much as I saw myself moving in a different direction

Who are some of the players and coaches that most influenced your coaching style today, and how so?

I think I probably took a little of all the coaches I had. I was fortunate to play for some pretty impressive coaches from Hitchcock to Keenan to Badger Bob etc.  so I took what I liked best from all these men and lost the things that turned me off.  Then added my own personality that emphasizes fun.

You read today about the struggles many NFL players face in transitioning from football to a post-sports career. How does the NHL help players do so – if at all, and is the issue as big with former NHL players as it is with NFL ones?

The NHLPA has a life after hockey program that helped with the adjustment to “normal” life by giving me the confidence to try something different.  I know of a lot of other players who have struggled and for the most part it is the players that identified themselves solely as NHL hockey players, and when the limelight was turned off, they were left in the dark and had a hard time dealing with the fact that they were now just regular folk and were quickly forgotten.

You were drafted by the Penguins in 1986. What were your thoughts on getting drafted by the Penguins?

I do remember my draft, it was Montreal and the excitement of achieving a life long dream of taking that step towards the NHL.  I knew they had a superstar in Mario and was both excited and nervous about taking part in training camp with the world;s greater player.

You had a huge season in ’88”90. What do you attribute that to besides being on the line with Lemieux. What about your game improved the most to allow for those 49 goals and +27 plus/minus rating?

’88-’89 was obviously a very special year and of course playing with Mario allowed my the opportunity to achieve huge success. My greatest attribute as a player was my knowledge  of the Game and that allowed me to be in the right place at the right time when playing alongside Mario

What do you see as the most under-appreciated part of your game, and why?

I think my tenacity for the game. I had a huge competitive nature. When I played games I would do whatever it took to beat whomever I was playing against. I hated losing.

Who helped you adjust to the NHL – both on and off the ice – and how did they do so? Any examples?

My father was the biggest influence on my game and the person I leaned on most when times were tough.

What was the biggest difference you found to exist between the minors and NHL – and how did you adjust? 

The biggest differences between the NHL and the minors were speed and size and the absence of true superstars.

As for adapting between my father and Ken Hitchcock, I was challenged to be the best player in the world not playing in the NHL and that fueled me to have hugely successful minor pro seasons and probably was the reason that I was able to come back for three more NHL seasons.

Who were some of the biggest characters on the Penguins teams you played for and what made them so? Any examples of the hijinks/personalities on that team?

There were a number of guys that would stand out from Johnny Cullen to Mark Recchi to Phil Bourque to Kevin Stevens. Any player will tell you the biggest thing they miss after their careers are over is the camaraderie that they shared with their teammates in the dressing rooms as well as on the ice.  That is something that can’t be duplicated in any other walk of life. And it is funny when you get together with these guys there is never any talk of what happened on the ice.   It’s all about what happened off.

What are your favorite memories of your time in Pittsburgh?

The teammates I played with.  My first game and first goal.  Playing in an all-star game.  Every time we stepped on the ice at the beginning of a playoff game.  And scoring a goal in my sister’s memory after she passed in 1999.

Any last thoughts for readers?

Having spent some of the greatest years of my life in Pittsburgh, I am loving my post hockey career as well spending quality time with my wife of 14 years and my now 11-year-old twins

Life has been good to Robbie brown and it still is today.

Chris Dahlquist:

First, can you let readers know about your post-NHL career – how you got started in the financial business and what you enjoy most about it?

My first taste of the financial service industry came in the fall of 1994 while playing for Ottawa Senators. As an NHLPA Player representative during the 94′ Owner Lockout, the deadlocked negotiations with the owners sure seemed like the season might get lost. With that in mind I joined a small investment firm in Minneapolis and got my first taste of the financial service industry.  I continued to spent a portion of my office season gaining additional experience until retirement.

Since Retiring in 1998 I have grown a Financial Service business with Prudential Financial, focusing on Individual Asset management and helping small businesses with their benefits coordination. I really enjoy the diversity of my practice. Whether it is helping individuals work through the challenges they face in growing their assets or working with business owners to help them build sustainable benefit packages in these uncertain times gives me a different challenge daily.

From a family standpoint, I’m very fortunate to have my own business and the flexibility of schedule to help coach both my son Chad and daughter Charly during their youth hockey years.

As a professional athlete, you have pressure to perform on a daily basis. There is an instant response to good or bad performance. As a player, you need the ability to rebound from a bad shift and not get too excited after a good one. Consistency and persistency is an invaluable trait when dealing with the volatility of the financial markets and the growing of a business.

And obviously it never hurts clients relationships in Minnesota if you can give a good hockey story or two about Badger Bob Johnson or Mario Lemieux.

The transition to a more rigid work schedule was not as big a hurdle as I thought it would be. Pro athletes reach that level through sacrifice and regimented work. The greatest challenge when transitioning out of the game for me was the drop in income. A major decision I made when playing was to defer some of my earnings till after retirement. This allowed my family to maintain our current lifestyle (with a few downward adjustments) while I grew my practice to a level we needed. There have been and continue to be hurdles with the balancing of life but last year I reach a milestone. After thirteen years as a financial advisor, this is now my longest career.

The NHL didn’t offer much support when leaving the league. In their defense, I don’t think it is owner’s responsibility to prepare or protect their players when its time to leave their employment. The responsibility lies with the players and the NHLPA. The PA is better equipt to oversee this and have done a better job of late. They sponsor “After Hockey”

Tough guy Steve Martinson of the Flyers organization gave me fighting lesson the summer before my 1st year. I figured since he set the AHL penalty minute record that he had some experience. He obviously wasn’t that impressed with me since he was my opponent in my first fight as a pro. In an exhibition game he came out and lined-up across from me at the face-off and said, “Coach told me to “Go-you” since you’re running around”. I was taught right then that there are no friends when you have a job to do and never let up on anyone…friend or foe.

That reputation of me being a tough-guy fighter is probably a little over-rated. Out of necessity I was a big body checker and that just resulted in some scuffles.

Cam Neely, Gary Roberts, Keith Tkachuk…stats say it all  50 goals- 200 PIMS

After over five years in the Pittsburgh organization, you found yourself in Minnesota. What prompted the move and how difficult was that transition for you?

I was actually only in Pittsburgh for five years before the trade to Minnesota. The first move is always the hardest for an athlete but I think Bob Johnson said it best when he called the house to tell me about the trade. Badger said, “I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news is we traded you today…but the good news is you’re going home.” Going back to Minnesota made that first trade transition a lot easier for us.

The game has gotten much more defensive than the 90’s. There were typically five to six defensive specialist on each team. I can’t think of more than a dozen players in the league that would block shots. It is expected today that your 50 goal scorer dives in front of shots. Paul Cofee would always say after blocking a shot that he just lifted the wrong leg.

Day one of my first training camp when I was training on the bike next to Giles Meloche (39 yrs old) and I told him that my squirt team used to hand out Oakland Golden Seals Stickers back when he was playing for them.

Getting engaged to my wife of 25 years Jeanie while going down the Mt Washington Incline on Christmas Eve 1986.

Sweeping NYR in 1988-89 playoffs and the fans throwing bottles at our bus as we drove out from under Madison Square Gardens.

The Penguin Christmas Dinner at the Igloo with my wife at a table with 19-year-old Rob Brown and his 16-year-old date…Alyssa Milano and her nanny.

Watching Zarley Zalapski’s dad save EJ Johnson with the Hiemlich maneuver when he was choking on a piece of steak.

Assisting on Mario Lemieux’s 4th goal of the night during my first NHL Game in St. Louis. Little did I know his seven-point night would be more points than I would get in my next three years.

Scoring a goal in my third NHL game and then going 70 games before my next.

Alex Hicks:

First, can you let readers know about your  job at the Desert Youth Hockey Association in Phoenix – how you got started and what you like most as a coach?

I am an assistant hockey director at DYHA.  My responsibility is to communicate with all of the associations coaches and managers about scheduling, tournaments, concussion awareness and testing, hockey operations and strategies.  I began coaching when my three kids took up hockey.  I did not want to at first because I wanted them to learn the game on their own.   I soon found out that I was needed on the ice and I began helping right away.  I have loved every minute of it.
 
How difficult has it been to drum up interest in hockey in the Phoenix area and how have you done so?

Hockey is very popular in Phoenix.  Phoenix has had a professional team in the city at various levels since the early 70’s.  There are countless people who have moved here from hockey hotbed cities like Chicago and Detroit.  It is not difficult to get people involved.
 
As a coach, who are some of the players and coaches that most influenced your coaching style today, and how so?
 
The coach that most influenced me was Kevin Constantine as he was a stickler for details..  He was very demanding to play for but ultimately he was fair.  I find myself molding into a version of him.  I also try to use my success and struggles as a player to teach the players I coach valuable hockey and life lessons..

You were traded to the Penguins from Anaheim in ’96. How difficult was that for you and how did you adjust?
 
It was very difficult at first as I was new to the league and just starting to feel comfortable in Anaheim.  I loved playing for the Ducks and I felt that I was a great fit for them.  That all changed when I got to Pitt and I was welcomed right away by both the team and city. 

I loved Pittsburgh and it was a sad day for me when I left.

How would you describe yourself as a player and how did you mesh with that Penguins roster?

I was a hard working tenacious player.  I played as hard as possible and was always there to help my teammates.  I was a typical blue collar type worker and I really fit in well with the team and city.
 
Who were some of the biggest characters on that Penguins team and what made them so? Any examples of the hijinks/personalities on that team?

I always admired Jaromir Jagr for how good he was.  I don’t think he ever got the credit for how hard he worked off the ice because he lifted weight after every game we played.  He always had a smile on his face and he kept the mood light. 

At the time he was the best player in the league and I thought that was cool.
 
That turned out to be the year of Mario Lemieux’s first retirement. How was that received by the players and staff – what was the effect the announcement and his health had on the team?

Mario was always quiet and reserved.  When he did speak however, we all listened.  His announcement came as a shock to all of us and left a great deal of uncertainty moving forward.  Ultimately Ron Francis took control of the team the next year and did a great job leading us to a successful season.
 
That year, Eddie Johnston was released near the end of the season and General Manager Craig Patrick took over as coach. How did the players react to that move – especially with the GM now being your coach?

It was stressful when all that came down.  Eddie was a players coach and let us figure most things out ourselves. The guys on the team loved him.  When he was fired there was a great deal of remorse on the players part that we let him down. 

Craig was very easy to play for and the transition was fine.  We just ran into a horrible matchup for the playoffs..

There’s a great deal of movement between leagues and cities for hockey players. How does  that affect you – both on and off the ice – as a player?

You just get used to it… You learn to never get too comfortable…
 
What is the biggest misperception you think fans have about hockey players and the sport itself?

I don’t think there is too much of a misperception.  We are all just regular guys playing a great sport.  The fans always seemed to relate with us real well.

What are your favorite memories of your time in Pittsburgh?

My favorite memory in Pittsburgh was my first game with the team after I was traded.  I played on a line with Mario and Jagr..  Wow…

Scott Young:

First, can you let readers know about your post-NHL  coaching career – how you got started and what you enjoy most about coaching?

When I retired I started coaching youth hockey, coaching my kids. I had two sons that were playing, and I was going to the rink anyways for six days a week, since my ids were at different levels.

The St. Marks job came when I got an email asking if I knew of anyone that would be interested in the opening. I learned later that the captains on the team had asked the athletic director to me to take the job. I guess this was their way of doing so (laughing).

How exciting is it for you to coach the team you once starred on as a player?

For me, just to be back on the campus of the school…driving on the same roads I did when I played is exciting. It’s an old school – a small private school that started in 1865. It still has the same feel.

It’s good to be back. Hockey-wise, it’s the same rink just about that I played on. The team struggled the three years before. I knew it would be a challenge to get the program back on track. It was going to take good recruiting, and its happened quicker than I thought it would.

The past three years were really tough. They won ten games over three years, including one season where they won no games. My first year we went 14-3. That made them believe ion themselves –  that they were good players. Last year we made the playoffs and went 16-9-3. We lost in the playoffs, but there are a lot of teams trying to make the playoffs.

There’s a ton of interest in the program now. Kids want to play here – it’s a program on the rise. It’s special for me to be a part of this.

Who were some of the biggest influences on you and your coaching style?

All the coaches I had in my playing days, I took something for all of them. The coaches I liked I took things from and the ones I didn’t like I just learned not to coach that way.

I’m a coach that will push players hard. I expect a lot. But I want them to enjoy coming to the rink every day. The season can get tough if its just pressure very day. You can’t get the most out of your players without them enjoying it too. I know that by going through it myself. You don’t get the most from players if they dread coming to the rink. You want them to be dying t get on the ice.

The kids are excited here. I remember once pushing them very hard then telling them that due to a school function there would be no practice the next day. They all groaned. They wanted to go to practice.

Joel Quenneville was a coach I remember well. He gave players respect. It was the little things. No crushing us with meetings. Up-temp practices and quick meetings. He was a player’s coach. I really enjoyed playing for him – he gets the most from his players. Especially in the NHL where it’s a long season. It’s a grind and he kept things short. He was my tops.

How difficult has it for you to transition from the NHL to a second career – and how were you able to do so?

It kind of just happened.

I enjoy coaching and like the age of the kids I’m coaching. Young kids are fun, but when they get older and hang on to your every word, its a lot of fun. These kids all want to play in college. I enjoy having that influence on that and talking to the college coaches about the kids. Its fun to get involved – helping young hockey players on their path to playing in college.

You read today about the struggles many NFL players face in transitioning from football to a post-sports career. How does the NHL help players do so – if at all?

I don’t know. It all depends. There is help from the NHLPA for players who fall on tough times. I;m not sure what’s offered for everyone else. I never felt I needed help that way. I stayed busy.

With my two kids in hockey and one that plays basketball, even though I didn’t work for a couple of years after the NHL, it was like a full-time job. I missed hockey when I went to see a live game – I got that feeling back then. Especially during the playoffs. But I wasn’t going to a lot of games…

You played a number of years in the Hartford organization and overseas in Italy before ending up in Pittsburgh in ’90. How was the experience of playing overseas and how did it help your game?

I played in Italy, in some Olympic stuff and in the World Championships. I liked the big rinks – it was a good change of pace. The European League gave me a lot of confidence. To be on the ice a lot of the time – to have the puck on your stick a lot and score a lot of goals. I wasn’t over there at the end of my career. I was over there working hard to get back to the NHL.

It was a risky move, but the confidence it gave me was not something I was going to get being on the fourth line in Pittsburgh in ’92. I missed being on the ’92 Cup team – but I knew where I stood on that team with guys like Mullen and Jagr ahead of me. I wanted to play. Winning the Cup when I was in Hartford seemed impossible to me. But seeing the dedication in ’92 to win the Cup in Pittsburgh – I learned a lot that year.

How did you end up in Pittsburgh in ’90 and who on the team helped you to adjust to life in Pittsburgh – both on and off the ice?

How would you describe yourself as a player and how did you mesh with that Penguins roster?

With injuries, I could step in to a higher line. I played the point on the power play at times. When Paul Coffey was hurt I played on the power play in the playoffs. When he came back I didn’t play because they decided to keep seven defensemen since Coffey was only playing on the point sue to his jaw injury.

I could play defense if needed too. I had the versatility. I contributed some goals and could move up and down the line.

Who were some of the biggest characters on that Penguins team and what made them so? Any examples of the hijinks/personalities on that team?

To me, Kevin Stevens was the best locker room guy I’ve been around. His game stepped up in the playoffs. And the laughter he brought to the locker room…he made it fun. He was the main guy as far as smiles on faces was concerned and making long road trips more fun. We had a bunch of good guys on that team but he was the catalyst.

There’s a great deal of movement between leagues and cities for hockey players – you were no exception. How does that affect you – both on and off the ice – as a player?

I think they capture it well with the HBO show. I like the way they do that. Fans just see the games and think about how great it is to play in the NHL. It is, but they don’t see us heading to the airport right after a tough game, getting in at three a.m., then getting up for the morning skate and playing again that night. Sometimes we’d get in at five a.m. after games. Fans don’t see that part of it.

I think they are starting to realize the pressure players go through, to come back after injury, or the worry about getting traded. You put your kids in school all the while not being sure if you’ll get traded or be sent down…

There’s a lot of pressure for players. We put it on ourselves, but then there’s that pressure of worrying about being sent down, or being traded. It all adds to the pressure. It’s not all fun and games. It wears you down, mentally and physically.

What are your favorite memories of your time in Pittsburgh?

Early on when I was traded there, I jumped into games in disbelief on how good the team was. We had some good players in Hartford, but I couldn’t believe the amount of goals we scored in Pittsburgh. The system and the way we moved the puck with those guys – it was a shock to my system.

The playoffs and Cup run – and the massive celebration … the Cup in Mario’s pool nd that legendary celebration when the Cup got stuck at the bottom of the pool. To have been there and know the real story…

Which was…?

Well, we were throwing the Cup around in the pool. Not disrespecting it – just celebrating. Then someone – I think maybe it was Phil Bourque – decided to put it in the deep end. By the time they tried to take it out it was stuck – we couldn’t get it loose. A number of guys tried to get it loose and they finally got it out, but the top of the Cup was severed, like it was going to rip right off the top.

At the big rally the next day, we all had to hold it in the middle or else the top would have fallen off (laughing)!

We had a lot of fun – it was a great party. And one of the many reasons I’m sure there is a Cup Keeper now assigned by the NHL.

Did you get to celebrate with the Cup personally?

We didn’t have a schedule then to take it home for every player like they do today.  If you were in Pittsburgh you got to take it, but I went back to Boston. There was no schedule like they do today, where there is a set schedule for every player.

Tony Tanti:

First, can you let readers know about your post-NHL career and about Tanti Interiors?

Tanti Interiors is a flooring company that supplies and install’s flooring to developer’s and individuals. Concentrating mainly on big developments.

How difficult has it been for you to transition from the NHL to a second career – and how were you able to do so?

It was a difficult transition mainly because as a player you were told where to be and what to do all the time. Once you retire you don’t have that, you’re pretty much on your own to find a living.

I adjusted because I had too.I find that if you are modest and honest everything will work out.

You read today about the struggles many NFL players face in transitioning from football to a post-sports career. How does the NHL help players do so – if at all?

I’m not sure as once I retired it was up to me to find a new way to make a living. I’m sure that today’s NHL is different.

You were traded in 89′ to the Penguins after seven years in Vancouver – how difficult was that for you and what was your biggest adjustment?

It was difficult but I knew a lot of the players and everyone treated me very well while I was in Pittsburgh. The biggest adjustment was that you weren’t on all the talk shows 24 hours a day and that you could actually go out and not be recognized all the time.

How would you describe yourself as a player and how did you mesh with that Penguins roster?

As a Penguin I tried to be a hard worker and score a few goals. They had a lot of talent with Mario, Kevin Stevins, Mark Recchi and so forth. I could have meshed better but it was difficult as the quality ice time (e.g. power play ) was not there as Pittsburgh was a much more offensive talented team than Vancouver.

You were traded from the Penguins in ’91 before the Stanley Cup run. How frustrating was that for and did you sense the team was a Stanley Cup caliber team?

Very. They had a great roster and everything came together at the right time.

There’s a great deal of movement between leagues and cities for hockey players. How does that affect you – both on and off the ice – as a player?

You live with, it as once you get to the NHL you quickly realize that it is a job.

What is the biggest misperception you think fans have about hockey players and the sport itself?

Hockey players are very friendly but once the puck drops a switch goes on.

What are your favorite memories of your time in Pittsburgh?

I’d say being able to play and practice with Mario. He was the best talent that I have ever played with or watched. Loved watching him in practice too. He made the goalies look bad

 Any last thoughts for readers?

I think hockey is in good hands and I think that Pittsburgh is in good hands. Thanks for the memories.

Jim Paek:

First, can you let readers know about your coaching job with Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL- how you got started and what you like most as a coach?

Towards the end of my career I knew I wanted to stay involved in the game. I loved teaching and wanted to pass on my teachings to younger players. That was my thought process to getting involved in coaching.

I got a coaching job right after I retired from the game and then signed on with Grand Rapids and have been here since.

As a coach, who are some of the players and coaches that most influenced your coaching style today, and how so?

It’s a lot different than being a player. As a player you worry about yourself. As a coach you worry about twenty-five players. But I enjoy being a part of the game. And being in the AHL, seeing a player in Detroit that came through the system is a shot in the arm, knowing I had something to do with their success. It feels good seeing guys like Helms and Abdicator have success and sign on for big money.

I was fortunate to have real good coaches throughout my career, even as a kid. I have always taken what fits my personality and used it to create a good formula for myself.

Bob Johnson was a fantastic man – as a coach and person. My junior coach – same thing.  I jokingly give him crap now for getting me into coaching (laughing). It’s what they taught me as a person – that translates to being a good coach.

Scotty Bowman was great behind the bench – he was always able to deflect distractions. And Rick Lee was direct as a coach. He told you the way it was. Players want that – especially at the NHL level. Don’t beat around the bush – just tell me what I need to do…

You read today about the struggles many NFL players face in transitioning from football to a post-sports career. Is the problem as prominent with NHL players?

It’s funny because I just had a conversation with the coach on this yesterday.  I don’t have any definite conclusions – it depends on the individual I think. We live in a fantasy world as a player. We’re treated so well, make lots of money. It’s not 9-5… It’s a fantasy – being in the limelight and being respected because of our talent.

But what happens when it’s all gone. It’s a tough transition.

It goes to how you are raised, ultimately. If you were raised to be grounded – with morals. Some are more fortunate and some get distracted in life.

And people will try to help you outside of hockey. The NHLPA has programs to help with the transition. The league does a lot, but how much is enough? There’s enough out there – you should be adult and go look for it. At the end of the day it really does fall back on how you were raised. I thank my parents immensely for their support and beliefs. We’re a product of our parents.

You were drafted by the Penguins in ’85 and started with the Penguins in ’90. Who helped you adjust to the NHL – both on and off the ice – as a rookie? And how did they do so – any examples?

That’s the importance of veterans. I had great teammates. They had me over for dinner and helped me – guys like Larry Murphy and Troy Loney. They’d tell you to do this or don’t do that.

That’s vital for kids – to be surrounded by veterans. And we haf a great bunch of guys on those Pens teams. That helps you adapt. Again, we live in a fantasy world. You’re twenty years-old, making incredible money and you want to live it up. But careers don’t last forever. You start preparing now, but live the life. I tell people to play as long as they can – there’s no other lifestyle like this. Play until they take you out!

Why defense?

I couldn’t skate (laughing)! They stuck me back there because I couldn’t skate. Now, it’s all changed. But it stuck with me.

You won to Stanley Cups very early in your career with the Penguins. Were you able to fully appreciate the rarity of doing so and what was the team’s mindset going into the first cup series?

My first few years of winning championships and having success – I was like, “Great! This is easy – bring on the next one!” 

But it took me ten years to win another one. Once you taste it and see how long it takes, you appreciate it more. It takes chemistry. That was a special time – it takes everything to go just right.

How important is it from your perspective on being both the first Korean-born hockey player to ever play in the NHL and the first of Korean descent to have his name engraved on the Cup?

It was a great honor to have that. Being born Korean and to be first was a real honor. The Korean community in Toronto and in Korea too – where they really aren’t big on hockey normally – the way they received me was fantastic. I appreciated that a lot. But it’s a dream to win the Stanley Cup as a hockey player, not as a Korean. I was a hockey player striving for the Cup.

Who were some of the biggest characters on that Penguins team and what made them so? Any examples of the hijinks/personalities on that team?

Kevin Stevens had that loud voice. The whole team had that chemistry. The role players, skill players, characters and hard workers…

Any hijinks happen to you you can share?

Ok – this is going to embarrass myself! A lot happened to me.  Bryan Trottier was the biggest character – he used to sit beside you and tell you stories. He didn’t care if you were a veteran or a rookie.

Well, in training camp, we were there when DeBartolo also owned the NFL 49’ers. One year he took us all to see the 49’ers facility. We’re all on the bus and all of us fell asleep afterwards after a long day. Everyone got up, but Bryan told everyone not to worry about me, to let me get some sleep. Well, I woke up, startled. No one was on the bus – it had gone back to the depot with me still on it (laughing)! Panic set in, but the bus driver finally took me back to the hotel.

And even though it happened to me, that’s the kind of stuff that helps a team. It lightens the mood.

You were traded in ’93 to Los Angeles.  How difficult was that for you and in general for players, when most have to deal with a lot of movement between the minors and pros and between teams?

I wasn’t used to that – I was in the Penguins organization for so many years before the trade. It was difficult – but also exciting.  The other team wanted me – that was exciting.

I was always told to bleed and sweat for your team. Team loyalty. So that wasn’t there anymore – you don’t have that now. So that was hard – it was a hard transition.

But, I got traded many times after that. And I got it to a system where I could pack my things in twenty minutes (laughing). It’s all part of the growth and maturity of a person. 

What are your favorite memories of your time in Pittsburgh?

I have so many great memories. I was just recently there for the 20th anniversary a short while ago. At the end of the night, Wendell Young asked me if I ever talked about hockey. And we didn’t. It was all about the stuff you did off the ice.

The memories of the people outside of the game. The guys in the dressing room, friends on the team, friends and fans in the city. It was fantastic how the fans received me in Pittsburgh. Those are all great memories. And it call comes back to you – those little stories that mean so much…..

Chris Tamer:

First, can you let readers know about Crossfit Brighton – how you got started and what you like most as a trainer?

I continued to train following my retirement.  I was introduced to Crossfit by a friend of mine.  When I started the workouts I was humbled by the intensity and effectiveness of the training.  It immediately identified my weaknesses that I have dealt with during my career.  During my career I had back surgery, abdominal surgery and shoulder issues.  The training helped my with my range of motion and flexibility.  I also increased strength and was able to lift properly without aggravating the previous injuries.

This experience personalized the effectiveness for me.  We started training youth athletes then I ended up opening my own gym soon after.  Having people make gains never thought possible is the most rewarding aspect of being a trainer.

How difficult has it for you to transition from the NHL to a second career – and how were you able to do so?

It wasn’t too difficult of a transition for me.  I had a chance to spend more time with my family.  The challenging part was to find something that I had passion for.  I didn’t want to sit behind a desk or get into sales.  Being a part of the “Crossfit” community and going to a gym everyday was something that was a great fit for me.  We have a great community going here and it is great being a part a team atmosphere.

As a trainer, who are some of the players and coaches that most influenced your training style today, and how so?

I always talked with players about off ice or summer training.  I definitely needed to make the most out of off ice training.  John Welday was the strength coach for the Penguins back then.  He did a great job with all the players and helped me out immensely.  He made training fun as well as effective.  He was a big part of all the teams back in the 90’s.

You read today about the struggles many NFL players face in transitioning from football to a post-sports career. How does the NHL help players do so – if at all, and is the issue as big with former NHL players as it is with NFL ones?

I do think that it is a substantial transition for many professional athletes.  I do know of some players that struggle for years trying to find a purpose and make a living and I was not too different.  Many have played sports for years and don’t have experience in other fields.  Their sport is all they know.  The NHL alumni association has programs for former players to take advantage of.  I went to a few of them and they can be helpful.  I hope they continue to expand this program and increase awareness for the players.

The biggest thing that helped me was when my dad told me I wasn’t retired anymore, I was unemployed.  That was his way of kicking me in the rear end.

You were drafted by the Penguins in 1990. What were your thoughts on getting drafted by the Penguins?

I was extremely excited to be drafted by the Pens.  Back then they were in the Stanley Cup years.  The players were very talented and successful.  I tempered the excitement with being worried about how I was going to make a team.  My first year they had nine NHL defensemen.  It was a good learning experience.

Who helped you adjust to the NHL – both on and off the ice -and how did they do so? Any examples?

Craig Patrick was the GM back then.  He did a very good job of communicating with young players and giving them chances to show what we had.  He was very successful as GM and as a result so were his teams.  Eddie Johnston, Rick Kehoe and Bryan Trottier were the coaches.  They were great at keeping things in perspective for me as a young player.

You were known to be a tough defenseman not afraid to fight. But were there aspects of your game you felt were under-rated because of your “tough-guy” role?

I knew I had to be able to be solid defensively in order to stick with the team.  Fighting helped me with my confidence and gave me a bit of space but I realized early on that I need to offer more.

What was the biggest difference you found to exist between the minors and NHL – and how did you adjust?

Many players in the minors were very talented.  I was surprised by the level of talent there.  Many of them had the talent to play in the NHL.  One of the differences from the NHL and the minors was that everyone was big and could skate.  Taking the world class talented hockey players out, the biggest difference for the majority of the players was the mental aspect of the game.

You arrived on the team the year after the Penguins one their second Stanley Cup. How frustrating was it for you to just miss out on those tow Cup years and what was the mindset of the team that season?

It wasn’t frustrating as I got the chance to wear the Pens jersey.  The most frustrating part of the was during retirement when people ask if I was part of the Stanley Cup teams.  Winning the Stanley Cup is a huge accomplishment that any player should be proud of.

Who were some of the biggest characters on the Penguins teams you played for and what made them so? Any examples of the hijinks/personalities on that team?

Ian Moran took the #1, #2 and #3 spot for being a character of the game.  We had a bet when my college team played his college team.  For the next road trip he had to wear a suit, shirt and tie that didn’t even come close to matching.  He looked like he just got in a fight with a peacock and lost.  His outfit looked awful.  I think it backfired as he made the most of it and actually enjoyed wearing the outfit.

What are your favorite memories of your time in Pittsburgh?

The playoffs were a great time of season in Pittsburgh.  The fans were awesome.

Shawn McEarchern:

First, can you let readers know about your job at The River School – how you got started and what you like most as a coach?  

When I retired I started coaching college hockey as an assistant at Northeastern for two years and then Umass Lowell for two years.  I wanted to be a head coach and the job at Rivers became available. I am the hockey coach, I work in admissions and am assistant athletic director.  It’s been lots of fun coaching and working at a high school. I have two daughters that are students at Rivers as well.  It’s been great being a part of the Rivers community.

How difficult has it for you to transition from the NHL to a second career – and how were you able to do so?  

I have always wanted to coach when I was done playing.  I was injured in Atlanta and out for the season so I went back to school online to finish my college degree so I could have a chance to coach college or prep school hockey.  It’s a transition but I enjoy it. It’s something I was committed to doing and I have never looked back.

As a coach, who are some of the players and coaches that most influenced your coaching style today, and how so?  

I would say Jauque Martin, Bob Hartley, Craig Ramsay, and Perry Pearn would be the coaches that most influenced me while playing in the NHL.  Their approach to the game and coaching styles were all very different, but I learned the most from them.  Being a coach I can look back and appreciate some of their decisions that maybe I didn’t appreciate back then.

You read today about the struggles many NFL players face in transitioning from football to a post-sports career. How does the NHL help players do so – if at all?  

I’m not sure the NHL does a good job helping players after they retire.  The NHLPA has some programs to help guys transition.  But I think it’s really up to the individual to help them selves. As a player your only focus is getting ready to play and then it ends suddenly, it’s an odd feeling.  I’m glad I went to college and played hockey, the focus is not all about hockey it’s about being a well rounded person and education.  I think this helps prepare you for life after hockey.

Is the problem as prominent with NHL players? Why/why not?   I would say yes. 

The longer I have been retired the more I hear about guys struggling with being done playing.  It’s sad, some of the guys were elite players that I looked up to as players, but they have struggled now that they don’t have the game in their lives.

You were drafted in ’87 by the Penguins. What were your thoughts on being drafted by Pittsburgh at the time?  

I was excited.  It was different back then, I didn’t go to the draft.  I was actually out in my driveway washing my car and Sean Walsh the coach at the University of Maine called to tell me I was drafted.  He was recruiting me to play hockey at Maine at the time.  I told my parents and then went back out to finnish washing the car.

Who helped you adjust to the NHL – both on and off the ice -and how did they do so? Any examples?  

I’m not sure. I think I had some growing pains when I first joined Pittsburgh.  It was a transition becoming a pro hockey player and it took me a few years before I figured it out.  I couldn’t say any one person helped me, but you realize quickly that if you don’t figure it out you’ll be gone.

Who were some of the biggest characters on that Penguins team and what made them so? Any examples of the hijinks/personalities on that team?  

There were a few characters, I would say Wendel Young would be at the top of the list.  He’s a funny guy who always seems to be upbeat.

What prompted your departure from the team in ’95 – and how did the consistent movement between teams affect you and others you played with?- both on and off the ice – as a player? How difficult is that to deal with?

I was traded with Kevin Stephens to Boston.  It’s odd the first time you get traded but it’s just part of the business.

What are your favorite memories of your time in Pittsburgh?  

Getting a chance to play in the NHL first and then winning a Stanley Cup.