Building a winner the old fashioned way

Marc Habscheid had unique ways of motivating players.

The 59-year-old, who is coaching this winter in Austria, is often credited with changing the culture of the Kelowna Rockets.

It is hard to argue. Look no further than a Western Conference final birth in 2002, a WHL title in 2003, and a Memorial Cup victory in 2004.

Habscheid was also a big believer in team building.

One of the most memorable, for me, was during an Eastern Conference road trip in December 2001.

Born and raised in Wymark, Saskatchewan, Habscheid loved taking advantage of an off day prior to a prairie road trip, visiting small villages in the area.

On this occasion, the Rockets team was headed 20 minutes north of Swift Current to a small community for practice.

The hamlet, which boasts 91 residents, was Stewart Valley, the home of ex-Rocket forward Travis Moen.

Knowing the area quite well, I was born in the region and played minor hockey in the Stewart Valley Arena in what can only be described as a dilapidated facility.

Trust me, it was old school. The dressing rooms were located above the ice surface, which meant players were required to traverse 20 wooden stairs with heavy hockey bags to change into their equipment.

The real challenge came with skates on, cautiously descending the stairwell towards the frozen ice surface.

It was commonplace to witness a player lose his footing, slip, and crash down on teammates below, who were also gingerly trying to make their way unharmed. It was a comical scene for the observer if someone lost their footing yet embarrassing for the victim.

On this cold prairie day, the wind was howling through the arena. Wooden blanks were missing along the top portion of the old structure, providing no protection from the wind-chill.

The time clock, also wooden, was vintage, with no digital readout. If a goal was scored, an individual, perched at the side of it after scaling up a wooden ladder, would turn a large circular dial, exposing the appropriate number.

On this team building exercise, Habscheid allowed me, the radio guy, to take part in practice. Being an average goalie at best, I cautiously participated in drills during the cold and quick 40-minute workout.

I often feared for my life when 6’5, 210-pound forward Kiel McLeod would be seen streaking down the ice with the puck on his stick. McLeod, projected to be a high NHL draft pick at the time, would snap the puck at me, standing motionless in the net, hoping his accuracy would have him pick a corner rather than the galvanized rubber striking me.

At the end of practice, Habschield blew his whistle, asking everyone to split into teams for a game of shinny. With all the players on the ice, coaches included, it turned into a frantic game of 12 on 12.

Smiles could be seen on the player’s faces, along with Stewart Valley locals who had come out to watch this WHL team visit their community.

With the game tied at 5, and the declaration that the next goal wins, Habscheid, who was on the other team, was cherry-picking at the blue line.

He received a pass and was sent on a breakaway against me – who was situated in the goal.

Habscheid skated in with great determination to score the game-winning goal.

Several thoughts went through my head.

Do I let him score, or do I attempt to make a save, which may be a career-limiting move?

I choose the latter, ready to accept my fate.

Habscheid went to his backhand to elevate the puck over me. I pushed hard from my left to my right skate and stacked my pads in desperation. The puck grazed my right toe, and eventually ricocheted harmlessly into the corner.

My team, in amazement at what they had just witnessed, transitioned the puck down the ice and scored.

Game over!

With hot showers unavailable after practice, players and coaches hopped on the Rockets bus, stopping at designated homes along small-narrow streets in Stewart Valley, with players disembarking in pairs for a hot shower and a quick bite to eat with local residents.

Oh, the memories of a unique way of team building.

A season later, the Kelowna Rockets would win its first league championship.

I like to think the experience in Stewart Valley, that cold prairie day, had something to do with it.