BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Last June, Ryan Belec was on top of the
world.
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Belec received his championship
ring in November. |
The Sudbury boy had just experienced what
many can only dream of when the team he works for won the
Stanley Cup.
Belec is an assistant to Jay Feaster, the
general manager of the 2004 Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay
Lightning.
Belec was in his absolute glory counting down
the final few seconds of that memorable Game 7 between Tampa
Bay and the Cinderella Calgary Flames, which Tampa Bay won
2-1.
Belec jumped for joy on the ice with the rest
of the Lightning organization as they realized their mission of
capturing professional hockey's top prize.
It was a moment that will be forever etched
in his memory.
But Belec's celebrations didn't last
forever.
Instead of watching his team make another run
at glory, Belec has been forced to deal with the NHL lockout,
which is now inching closer and closer to a deadline that will
result in a definite end to the 2004-05 NHL season.
Belec though, has managed to keep busy during
this difficult time for hockey lovers.
"Since thelock out started, our front office
is much more quieter than usual," said Belec. "We have not laid
off any employees. The usual hustle and bustle of a 41-game
home schedule is absent. I've stayed busy working on day-to-day
hockey issues pertaining to our American Hockey League (AHL)
team in Springfield, Massachusetts. I travel from Tampa Bay to
Springfield about once a month to watch a few practices and
games, and talk to our AHL coaching staff. I also continue to
do work with the 13 scouts we have on staff. Despite the lack
of NHL games, I've been able to stay busy."
Take away Belec's official title and you have
a passionate, hockey-loving fan, so the lack of NHL contests
rips at his heart.
"The worst part about this lockout is no
hockey games," said Belec. "At this time of year, the arena is
usually freezing cold, you can hear pucks bouncing off the
boards and glass, and there's a game every two or three nights.
Now, it's warm inside and very quiet."
Belec has used some of the time to reflect on
the championship-winning year.
"I think a lot about the 2003-04 season and
what an amazing ride it was," said Belec. "We have a lot of
playoff and Staley Cup pictures on the walls around the office,
so it's hard not to stop and think back to those great nights.
I would love to do it all over again!"
One positive aspect about the lock out for
Belec was the opportunity to spend more time with friends and
family.
"I was able to come back to Sudbury for a
week at Christmas and spend time with family and friends," said
Belec. "Given our schedule, that's something I can't do most
years. I was able to catch a Sudbury Wolves game for the first
time in many years. It was fun to be back at the Sudbury Arena,
watching the wolf slide out from the corner after each Wolves'
goal, and luckily, they scored five that night."
Belec received his championship ring in
November, an incredible piece of jewelery with 138 diamonds -
one for every point the team earned in the regular season, and
two for every win in the playoffs.
"Our organization went above and beyond in
terms of making these rings," said Belec. "Not only did they
present me with a ring, but they also allowed me to give my dad
a slightly smaller version of our ring. For me, the greatest
thrill of all was seeing my name engraved on the Stanley
Cup.
At that point, it seemed official."
Belec, like most everyone, wants hockey to
return full force, and he will continue to bide his time in
Tampa Bay hoping the NHL and its players can
get a deal done before the 2004-05 season is
canceled.
