Bus life is oddly, enjoyable

It isn’t for everyone.

After 28 seasons in the Western Hockey League, call it my ‘normal.’

Riding a hockey bus across Western Canada sounds hideous to some, yet glamorous to others.

I choose the middle ground on the subject.

When is it at its best?

It typically isn’t after a win. It is more when the general energy around the team is upbeat, everyone seems loose, yet focused. It isn’t a cocky swagger but a confident one.

When it is time to get down to business, and it’s game day, game faces are engaged. When you see that happen, as an innocent bystander, you know you are hanging around with a terrific group. I can count on one hand when the vibe hasn’t been terrific, but let’s leave that for another day.

How do the veterans treat the rookies on the road? Don’t all congregate together at meals. Get to know that raw rookie who may be a bit of a dork, who needs some guidance and some reassurance that he is indeed a member of the inner circle.

As a rookie, respect the vets. They deserve it. Be the first to help out loading and unloading the bus. Be on time for meals and meetings and bring a solid attitude to practices and games, even if the coach tells you that morning you won’t be playing.

A hockey bus is a safe haven for the 24 players and five staff that take up its 60 odd seats.

It isn’t party central in the interior. Headphones are worn by many to watch movies or listen to music. iPhone’s are fully engaged with power outlets at every seat to keep everyone charged up. Getting extra rest by bringing a pillow, blanket and mattress is also routine.

The environment, within the confines of the bus, is strangely comforting.

Personally, I am armed with five essentials. I must bring a pillow, a body pillow, a blanket, a camping mattress, and a heat blanket. While it sounds like a lot of gear, over time I have found out what works for me and what doesn’t. Sitting up in an attempt to sleep is a none starter. Hitting the bus floor and lying flat is my best recourse.

During a cold winter when the Rockets bus in traveling through the dark of night, the warmth resonating from the bus floor is, oddly, rather inviting.

With all the staff taking up the first five seats on the bus, the rookies are close at hand. Most must double up. By definition, first year players have to sit next to one another, while the staff and veterans have two seats to their own to stretch out.

Sitting beside someone for an hour or two is doable, but trust me, having that extra shoulder, bum, elbow and leg room is a luxury.

Let’s not forget about the safety of who is operating the bus. A professional driver is at the wheel, so all traveling anxiety is put to rest. Have you seen how proficiently these drivers’ transverse in tight confines when dealing with a vehicle which is 45 feet long?

It is amazing how they make sharp turns and can back up these massive rigs without making contact with another motorist or crashing into unforgiving concrete.

Bus driver, Shane Curveon, is terrific at getting us to our destination on time, with little to no hassle. He’s a pro’s pro.

It isn’t an us against the world mentality when the Rockets bus leaves the Okanagan on a short or long road trip. That said, the strength in numbers philosophy, quietly, does exist.

You take care of each other on the road. No man is left behind, much like you’d find in a battlefield scenario.

At its core, we are all in this together, win or lose.