A junior hockey writer ventures into unknown territory: an NHL game.
OTTAWA, Ont. -- "You should just be happy with who they bring out."
Those were the words of wisdom passed on to me by a veteran journalist in the basement of Scotiabank Place following the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres game Saturday night. The caution that colleague placed upon me was not meant as a negative interpretation of the post-game interview process so much as the blunt reality.
Moments later, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff emerged to address the media. Answering just four questions after his team's disappointing 6-3 loss, Ruff concluded the interview by thanking the media before heading back to the room. The word appeared sincere but it was the meaning behind it that was important. 'Thanks' simply meant, "This interview session is finished."
It was a far cry from the world of hockey reporting I have come to know. As the Canadian Hockey League correspondent, I was placed outside my regular comfort zone by covering a National Hockey League contest. After all, I was still covering a hockey game but in the world of professional sports, the junior reporter can easily be mistaken for a rookie reporter.
Less than a year ago while covering the Memorial Cup in Kitchener, Ont., I nearly missed an opportunity to speak with then Kitchener coach Peter DeBoer following a practice. The Memorial Cup had a strict policy for interview schedules after practices and with his team preparing for a semi-final against the Belleville Bulls, I was busy interviewing his players.
My interviews with the players ran past the allotted time and DeBoer had since retreated to his room to prepare for the game. I was informed my opportunity to speak with DeBoer had passed but after the team conferred with him, DeBoer happily came out for an exclusive interview when it would have been so easy for him to turn it down.
I would have understood had DeBoer declined but I was lucky. Such luck supposedly doesn't exist in the NHL.
The differences extended beyond the post-game press conference, however. One particular differences between the two levels of hockey is evident after a player is hit. It certainly doesn't take long for a scrum to ensue in junior hockey where late hits often seem to be taken on a personal level. During this contest, however, the players are more focused on the ensuing power-play than seeking revenge.
Case in point: Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta developed a reputation for his gritty style as a member of the Ontario Hockey League's Peterborough Petes from 2002 to 2006. It's a reputation that has followed him to his days in Buffalo.
While fishing for a puck in the crease, Kaleta was knocked into the back of the net by Jason Spezza. None of the Sabres appeared to think about returning the favour. Buffalo then tied the game with the extra man.
"It all depends on the situation," Kaleta explained. "No one wants to take a dumb penalty so you have to watch yourself."
"You get back at them the clean way, hit him next shift or whatever but you don't want to risk putting your team down one man and (losing) the power-play," Senators forward Nick Foligno added.
In many junior rinks, it's not uncommon to be able to speak with a player before games. With so few media to deal with, players at the junior level are generally excited at the promotion. Perhaps it's due to my age or my youthful appearance, but junior players will often schmooze with the media after the nitty-gritty of the interview is finished.
And while Foligno spoke candidly during our interview and took a moment to reflect afterwards while off the record, such circumstance is likely more due to our familiarity through previous interviews at the junior level.
After scoring twice in the Senators' win Saturday night, Foligno reflected on some of the lessons learned in junior with the Sudbury Wolves.
"I think the CHL definitely breeds that mentality that you have to be a step ahead," he said, naming the tempo of the game as one of the biggest adjustments. "We play of a lot of games so you have to be focused and I think that's one of the great things about the CHL."
While the post-game media experience has a laughable contrast between the junior and pro ranks, I was fortunate to speak with each player I wanted. After all, I should have just been happy with who they brought out.
