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 important, 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 welcomed. 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 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 Matt 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.
Alright, 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.
The big, bad, black German Shepard in a big, bad, black pickup
truck. The dog wore custom goggles and barked at people with
their windows down. I only saw it twice, in a span of 10
seconds, but it was gut-busting funny. (I'm howling as I type
this up.) This loud-mouthed mutt startled the drivers and their
reactions were priceless.
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 all 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.
