BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
On July 1, 2004, Chelmsford native Robert
Dubois got a call that changed his life forever.
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After paying $55 to try out for the Bell
Making the Cut reality television show in Ottawa on June 14,
Dubois was told to go home and wait for a
phone call.
Finally the day came, and the phone
rang.
Â"An official from the show said Robert
Dubois, you have made the cut,Â" said Dubois. Â"I was excited
because I didnÂ't think I would go all the way. I called my mom
and shared the news and then went out to party, but realized I
had to really get into shape.Â"
Dubois, 28, like many other Canadian kids
played hockey his whole life, and he never gave up on his dream
of playing in the NHL.
Dubois was drafted by the North Bay
Centennials of the OHL. He toiled for a season under the
tutelage of legendary coach Bert Templeton in 1993.
He then was traded to the Oshawa Generals,
where he was checked from behind and suffered a devastating
back injury that kept him out of the game for two years.
He made a come back with the Barrie Colts in
1996. From there he played professional hockey in the United
States for a variety of leagues. Along the way, Dubois lost his
way in the hockey world. His father passed away in 1997, which
took a great emotional toll on Dubois, and finally he was out
of hockey in 1999.
Dubois went to Cambrian College and graduated
from the machinist program.
Last year, he spent a season with the Geleen
Smoke Eaters, leading them in scoring, in the Holland league
over in Europe.
Dubois saw a commercial for the show during
last yearÂ's NHL playoffs, and knew it was for him.
Â"It looked interesting,Â" said Dubois. Â"My
family wanted me to go. Being out of hockey, and knowing I
still had the desire, it was an easy decision.Â"
Dubois went to the Corel Centre in Kanata for
his try out. He was one of hundreds of hopefuls looking to make
their mark and be one of the final 68 that went to Vernon, B.C.
for the show.
Â"It was tough,Â" said Dubois. Â"There were
drills and scrimmages for hours. I didnÂ't feel to good after.
I was dead.Â"
Dubois made his impression though, and was in
Vernon with 67 other hopefuls on July 15.
Â"We got there, got fitted with equipment and
then all hell broke loose,Â" said Dubois. Â"I experienced hard
core training. We slept every time they gave us a
break.Â"
The experience was thrilling for Dubois as he
got to interact with Scotty Bowman and Mike Keenan, two of the
best coaches in NHL history.
Â"It was unreal,Â" said Dubois. Â"Just to
stand beside them and be evaluated by them was awesome. It puts
you in a different class. I even got to try on their Stanley
Cup rings.Â"
Dubois was on the show last week, showcasing
his skills.
Â"ItÂ's cool to see myself on television,Â"
said Dubois. Â"I have no regrets. I would do it again because
it made me realize how bad I still want to play.Â"
Dubois recommends others to try out for the
next show.
Â"If youÂ're not completely done with hockey,
donÂ't hesitate and try out for the next one,Â" said Dubois.
Â"ThereÂ's nothing to lose. If you get cut, so what, at least
youÂ've had the experience of a lifetime.Â"
Dubois couldnÂ't reveal any secrets about the
winners as he would be fined five million dollars.
Â"Just keep watching because itÂ's only going
to get better.Â"
Bell Making the Cut can be seen on CBC every
Tuesday at 8 pm. Dubois, a centre, wears number 46 for the
Bowman team. He stands five-foot-eleven, and weighs 215
pounds.
