By now, unless you've been on the moon over the last week,
everyone knows the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves became the
first team from Greater Sudbury to win the national AAA midget
championship.
Today, I'm here to talk about all the other things in and
around the grand tournament which made the whole experience
almost incomprehensible.
Hockey aside, which was the best hockey I've ever seen in a
live setting, there was plenty of interesting people and
elements that made covering the championship and "living" in
Renfrew and Arnprior so mind-blowing.
I have to give a big hand to the Sudbury coaches, Peter
Michelutti Jr., Vagelli Sakellaris and Larry Bedard, as well as
team manager Alberta Corradini and trainer Darrell Hillier.
These guys, especially Corradini, made all the dealings with
the team an absolute joy. I can't say enough about how
accommodating Michelutti Jr. and Corradini were to the media
and, most importantly, the local guys who made the trip to
Arnprior.
This was never more evident than when the national media teams
showed up. I thought we might be pushed aside so the "big" boys
could do their thing.
Not so. At one point, Michelutti Jr. And Corradini pulled me
aside to ensure the Sudbury media would be taken care of first
and foremost and they kept their promise right to the
championship win.
I know I couldn't have supplied the coverage without the help
of these gentlemen, who helped construct and coach a team to
win the national crown.
I certainly enjoyed the company of the Nickel Capital Wolves
junior hosts and the senior host. Outstanding fellas in my
book. Jake Dunn and Sean Illman-White (junior hosts) and Bernie
Lynn (senior host) took on their roles with vigour. The trio
made everyone feel welcome. Jake was a real character as he
couldn't contain his enthusiasm when Sudbury played and his
zany actions cost me a few good photos but I was fine with that
as it was all in good fun and cheering on Sudbury.
I got a kick out of some of the facial hair being sported
around Arnprior. From Vagelli's fu-man chu moustache to
defenceman Baldisera's full beard, it was a hairy spectacle to
say the least.
I loved the cold rink which was the Nick Smith Centre. My first
day there saw temperatures outside reach 28 degrees. I waltzed
in there with shorts and a golf shirt only to see my own breath
because of the crisp air inside. It was awesome. Anyone who
knows me, knows I love the cold and the Nick Smith Centre was
cold, baby!
I got a real kick out of a farm near my hotel - The Rocky
Mountain House - which had a big herd of cattle and several
horses grazing on the fields.
I witnessed cars passing by and honking their horns and kids
yelling at the animals. The beasts never flinched.
Amateurs, I thought. I gave the animals an old holler I used on
the farm as a kid and it sent the horses and cows stampeding
across the grass. I still had it.
Time is short, so I will speed up the rest of the stuff which
enthralled me.
Free, homemade chicken soup at the arena in the "press room".
The parents and supporters of the team who made the trek to
cheer on and witness one of Sudbury's most historic sporting
achievements. The seven-games-in-seven-days marathon that was
the TELUS Cup. NHL legendary goalie Patrick Roy signing
probably close to 2,000 autographs. All the organizers and
volunteers in Arnprior for their warm hospitality and humorous
nature.
The overall officiating...it drove me quite nuts at times. All
right, it made me curse out loud in the car after games. The
coffee-drinking, Wendy's cheeseburger-eating grandmother. The
20-minute commute from my hotel in Renfrew to Arnprior - which
reminded me of my daily drive from Lively to downtown Sudbury.
Finally, I have to give special thanks to Rick Kirkwood who
provided me with valuable insight into the goals scored, after
each game.
That will do...I'm sure you get the picture. It was a wild and
wonderful time.
Scott Haddow is Northern Life's sports editor. He's currently
taking a well-deserved break. To relive some of the highlights
from the TELUS Cup, check out the tournament wrap-up video at
Sudbury24.ca, Northern Life's video sharing site.