Ian Moran (August 27, 2011):
First, can you tell readers what you are up to these days and how you got involved in this career?
I am an Institutional Equities Sales Trader …. It took me about 2 yrs to be able to say that.
Basically, I trade stocks for mutual funds or hedge funds that they hold in their portfolios. I always pictured myself staying involved with hockey, but when I retired there were about 45 other guys who felt the same way & I didn’t get much (if any) of a response from the hockey world.
Once I realized there had to be life after hockey, I stalked my friends that work in finance until I finally got hired.
What lessons from your NHL days have you found to help you at Sterne Agee?
This might sound funny, but trading for mutual/hedge funds is very competitive. There are only so many accounts, and so many trades that are going to occur in each trading day and I am competing with everyone else in Boston to get the trades.
So to trade you have to want to win, be willing to grind it out & work harder than your competition …. Just like in professional sports. But the thing that helped me the most is being able to get yelled at & not take it personally. Clients are like coaches & they will let you know when you screw up … and as some of you may remember, sometimes I didn’t use the glass as often as I should have so I am used to getting
yelled at.
Are you looking to get back into hockey at some point – as a coach or commentator?
Right now, I really enjoy what I’m doing. To do well you need have a “team mentality” & our desk is very similar to a locker room.
How’s your health –specifically your knees which have taken a good deal of abuse in your playing days?
I would classify myself as husky or big boned right now, but I’m told that I have an great personality. My health is pretty good, but my knee is shot. I need to get my left knee replaced.
You played for the team for over 10 years –what were the most lasting memories you’ve taken from your time in Pittsburgh and what made them so?
I love Pittsburgh. Really & truly when I think back to playing, I always picture myself in a Penguins uniform.
Our teams were always incredibly close & I think of everyone I played with as family. I consider myself lucky to have had Craig as a GM, to have had EJ as my first coach ( and then Assit GM) & Chico on the coaching staff for the entire time I was a Penguin.
They promoted a team first & family atmosphere that I don’t think you find in other organizations. I could go on & on about what great memories I have, but I always tell everyone that I was really lucky that I got to be part of something so special for so long.
How did you prove yourself as a rookie? Most rookies find the need to prove themselves to veterans … how did you do so and who helped mentor you?
Our veterans treated me great from the start. Kenny Wreggett was incredible from the start. Every single guy from Mario to Steve Latin made me feel like I was part of the team. I never felt like an outsider or like I was on the fringe and as I got older I tried to treat the younger guys the same way I was treated.
The two guys who taught me the most about being a pro were only Penguins for a short time but they had massive impacts on my career. Steve Leach & Craig Muni. They both taught me how to be a pro.
You always had the reputation as someone who could keep the locker room loose with your sense of humor. Was that always received well by your coaches/teammates and what were some of the funniest experiences you had with the team?
I was basically a clown. Who did I avoid? The starting goalie, always. Never talk to them, ever.
Most of the other guys needed to be kept loose. I never had anyone tell me to zip it or to get serious. You kind of get a feel for the room & go with it.
As a group we had an incredible amount of funny moments. Bergevin, Pushor, Leach, Big Mac are very funny humans. I loved going to the rink & I think the other guys felt the same way.
How hard was it for you to be traded to Boston? Did the fact that it was your hometown make it easier?
I was outside playing hopscotch with my daughter when I got the call. I’m not going to lie, I was crushed.
Craig called me at 3:15 and I honestly thought he was going to ask me to go to the airport to meet somebody. Instead he told me that I was going to Boston. So I wrote the Bruins GM’s phone number on my driveway in sidewalk chalk & was on a plane at 7.
Getting traded is easy for the guys. As soon as you’re in the locker room you’re good to go. For families it is hard no matter where you go, but for us it was a little easier to go to Boston.
Former Penguin Steve McKenna joked in an interview with us that the NHL never fully utilized his offensive skills. What facet of your game do you think was least appreciated by fans/coaches?
I bet the fans don’t know that on the 4th PP unit I was at the top of the umbrella. Problem was Mario & Jags. I always thought they were being selfish when they would score in the first few minutes of a PP.
How has the game changed since you played it – and is it for the better? Why/why not?
The game is better now. Less clutch & grab .. more speed. I think it’s very fun to watch.
Any last thoughts for readers?
I had a great time in Pittsburgh. I think the fans are some of the best in all of sports. I really feel as though I grew up in Pitt. I got there as a young kid & left 10 yrs later with a family. I was lucky enough to have played with a core group that was basically the same age & we grew up together.
I can not stress how lucky I was to be in the Penguins Organization & have such incredible people around me everyday.