Hi, it's Daria Mironova. Welcome to Hockey on the Beach.
Hockey is not the most popular sport in Florida, but we still have five professional teams here.
Two in the NHL, three in the ACHL.
Today we're going to talk to Jacksonville Iceman's goalie Charles Williams, also known as Willie.
He will share stories about his childhood, college days, family and hockey lifestyle in Jacksonville.
People call you Willie most of the time. How easy is that to forget your own name?
Well, when you hear it a lot in the locker room, I think it's harder to forget my real name now because I hear Willie so much.
Just from being around the guys every day. So yeah, my mom calls me Willie.
A lot of them don't call me Willie. It's Charles or babe or whatever have you. But yeah, the nicknames are kind of like a focal point to every guy on the team.
You always have your nickname and that's your name. You no longer have your actual name.
What about your wife? How does she call you?
She does not call me Willie. No chance. She just like, yeah, babe or Charles.
Yeah, it's just a locker room, you know, a team, just a team thing.
So tell me more about your hockey childhood. Why hockey? Why goalie?
Yeah, that's a long one. Hockey was just my family. We moved into this neighborhood and that's kind of what all the kids were doing. They're playing hockey.
Outside?
Yeah, outside. Yeah, we were roller hockey. And then my team, we went to a field trip or not my team, sorry, at school.
It was a field trip and my teacher told me that or told my parents that I was a pretty good ice skater and they didn't believe it.
I've never ice skated in my life. And she was like, no, you guys get, you know, get in some skates and stuff. So we did.
I was winter and I had a pond in the back. And yeah, before, you know, I was teaching myself how to skate and kind of picked it up right away.
But you know when people say goalie is not the best skater.
Yeah, you know, actually it's a myth. You know, it's a myth. They say that it's the best skater, not the hottest skater.
Yeah, that's honestly a part of it was I just love skating, being out there. And yeah, my brother and I, we played on the same team, but our goalie was really bad.
So we had this like thing where like if he would score, I would try and stop the bus. And then we started winning games and it kind of stuck.
And that's kind of how I began to be a goalie. I started like loving the gear, the gloves, the helmet designs and that's how I started.
Was it expensive like when you were growing up?
Yeah, yeah, goalie. That's the first thing you hear when parents talk about goalie. So stay away, stay away.
It is pretty expensive. I think my gear right now probably cost around five to six grand. Yeah, it's getting crazy now.
Like how something.
Yeah, yeah, right. Yeah, that's it. 20%. No, it's pretty crazy. So growing up, we were able to just a lot of my friends who had brothers, siblings who played goalie, I was able to let them use their gear.
And then my parents got me some gear too. Once I got into like some new gear, once I got to like my sophomore, junior year of high school and started to get really serious with the sport.
And that was great. But definitely it's really tough. We had a local junior team that would have a big sale at the end of the year.
So I'd be able to get some good gear from like the junior goalies when I was in seventh, eighth grade. And that was really cool. But it's definitely an expensive position.
Especially right now. The gear is getting, I looked at it the other day, I have them all for $2,500 to $3,000. I got a little one and I'm like, stay away from goalie.
Who was your favorite goal growing up? Favorite goalie? I'd say being from Detroit was probably Dominik Hasek. Dominik was just, I heard so many things about practice, how he would only let in like two or three goals of practice.
Just how he just competed on the ice in the games. I mean like it was just impossible to score on. He took so much pride in that. So just being from Detroit and playing in Detroit, being able to watch that on a daily basis was like really cool growing up.
So I would have to say Dominik Hasek for sure. Do you think that you took something from him? Oh absolutely. The one thing that I think that anyone can take, no matter what, is just the effort.
He just, every time he was on the ice, it was like in his mind, you know, it's scoring on me. And no matter what, sometimes it looked good, sometimes it looked crazy, but within the day he was going to do everything he could to keep the puck out of the net.
And that was kind of my just approach is just how can I stop every puck every time.
How hard is it, or easy, I'm not sure, for you to process bad things?
That's a great question. That's a great question. I think as I've gotten older, it's gotten easier, but yeah, when I was, up until I was 24, yeah, it was tough. It was, I would handle it differently every time, and that's frustrating too.
Not knowing whether it was, you know, feeling like it was my fault and just hammering myself, like working harder in practice, like whatever it was, there's just so many things that it's frustrating as a goalie.
A lot of times as a goalie, you're kind of on an island by yourself. So I think now as I'm older, I'm into, I have my life coaching certification, I'm kind of working on like mental performance with kids across the country.
It's helped me a lot too, to be able to handle, yeah, when things don't go your way and how to kind of change the perspective and outlook of a bad game and kind of using it as almost like a positive by taking my mistakes or the things I was, the reads I was making or the plays I was making, kind of just changing them a little bit and knowing that, hey, like, I may have played bad for maybe a few minutes or made a few mistakes,
but I played good for 45 minutes or whatever the case is, and it can kind of change it, turn it around to like actually be like, hey, like, instead of saying you had a bad game, let's say, let's change these bad mistakes and work on hope.
So I think the last few years have been a huge progress with that, but it's taken a lot of time, a lot of time, like I said, probably until I was 25, where I was able to truly take a bad game and not dwell on it and learn from it.
So can we say that goal is not perfectionist?
Absolutely. Absolutely. I think now goal is just in every league, NHL, all the way down, you kind of look at it like goals are going to happen, you know, like it's a team game.
Everyone's out there working hard and you put the time in to work at stopping pucks and practicing every day. I think it's an imperfect game, so you can't, no one's perfect, but I think that helps a lot, like saying we are human and we make mistakes and it's a game of mistakes.
So it's definitely a position that, you know, you can always work on something every day. So I think with that, you just kind of put all your work into each game and then whatever the outcome is, is the outcome. You can't really control that.
You just control what you can kind of work on and just let everything else go because it's just, the next game's coming right around the corner and you have to be ready for it.
And going back to your childhood, what was your dream and did you expect that this job would be a bit hard?
Did you know, I actually, hockey and I got into some battles growing up, it was tough. I started when I was like 13, so a little later and I just didn't understand a lot of the concepts of hockey, pressing goalie.
And just growing up and having that chance to talk with just goalies at different levels and just kind of seeing how they approached every game and just playing.
I was able to play AAA in Michigan with a lot of good goalies who are somewhere in the NHL now, Jack Campbell and Pellebock and Adelza Vajic with the Red Wings.
Just seeing how being around that group of guys just helps knowing that we're all going through this tough position.
How can we come together to just learn from each other? I think that's my biggest takeaway is just being in goalie camps and working with goalie schools and my goalie coaches, AJ Wallachek and so many guys.
Neil Conway, Mike Napsta in college, all these guys are just able to kind of talk to, sit down just like we're doing and just kind of grow and develop.
I think that's just the biggest thing. If I can grow just a little bit every day, then I think that I've done my job.
But kind of back to your question, now I thought I wanted to play college hockey was my biggest thing. After it got to the point where we're talking about pro hockey, I was like, wow, this is becoming a reality.
I come out of nowhere for me. When I made my first contract to play in this league, I was super excited and didn't know what to expect. I enjoy it a lot being here.
The guys, the coaches, the ownership, everything is just really good. I'm just really happy that they have played pro hockey. I enjoy it so much and it's been a blast.
You sound like Detroit's Red Wings fan.
Big Red Wings fan. I was pretty much a Detroit fan. Lions, Pistons, and they're starting to come together, the Red Wings. They're just growing up watching them. That was just when we ate dinner. It was either a Pistons game or a Red Wings game.
So you know Russian five?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Like I said, I didn't know too much. I started playing ice hockey a little later, 2002, 2003. It was kind of before my time. I didn't know a lot of history until I got a little older.
And yeah, I got to learn about the Russian five and all the history with Detroit. My mom actually, she grew up in Detroit and they would have their games. They would park in front of her dryware and stuff like that.
She was like, yeah, so she never really did hockey, but just knew that when there was a hockey game, you couldn't drive anywhere because it was just packed full of fans and stuff.
But yeah, big Detroit family. My mom, we were talking yesterday, they were watching the hockey game last night. To beat Tampa. Yeah, 7-4. I know.
Yeah, yeah. We were always watching the Red Wings fans. Red Wings games and stuff. It was just my kind of childhood watching the boys. Like, oh my gosh, I could never do this. You just see how good they are and then you get older and you see.
But yeah, it was always a business game or revenue game. I would have dinner at the table and that was kind of what really got me passionate about hockey. So you're a really big hockey man. But do you see that in Florida? Hockey is not really popular.
It's so amazing though to see how in Jacksonville, especially with the AU team, the junior Iceman, this organization, the rink. And yesterday we had a game Wednesday and it was rocking. It was like 5-6,000 fans.
Yeah, all the time. Yeah, all the time. Especially even during the week. It's so impressive to see. I played in a lot of places and the commitment of the fans, the passion. They're giving it to the other goalies when they let them goal.
It's intense and I just think it's going to keep growing. I didn't know what to think. I played against Jacksonville when I was in Manchester a few times and they always had a good fan base. And I was like, how? We're in Jacksonville, Florida.
And when you come here, you can see why it's because of the people, the ownership, the coaching staff, the community. Everyone was just so tight-knit and close and passionate. And there you go. You've got great fans and it's a fun atmosphere to play in front of.
Do you follow NHL besides the board of the rink?
The biggest thing that I follow is my favorite goalies. So Vasilevski, Tampa, Saros, Nashville. I kind of just always watch.
That was my next question.
Oh really? I'm skippin'. I'm skippin'. Man, it's funny. Yeah, I just always follow goalies more than anything. So, teens, not per se, usually just like buddies that I know that are playing in the NHL.
And then my favorite goalie is just to watch them. I mean, it's just so fascinating how they play the game, how they think the game. So that's probably my biggest thing. Yeah, the Red Wings. And then my favorite goalie is just buddies who I know who are playing. Just kind of keep in touch with them.
If I make you choose, like a David, a MacArthur, or a Veggiekin, who do you want to face to challenge?
Oh man. You know what? I'll have to say, I have to say McDavid.
I knew that.
Yeah, yeah.
I just didn't even know how to spell that.
McDavid, man, you know, I got to watch him practice one time when I was in Ontario with the LA's farm team. They practiced, LA practiced the same practice rink as the NHL team when we were in Ontario. So, Edmonton was in town and they were practicing after us.
And yeah, I just stayed and watched. And my jaw was to the ground. It didn't even look like he was playing the same sport as everyone else. It was insane. You know, you see it on TV, but you really see so many other things when they're just practicing, messing around on the same ice he just skated on.
I was just, they kind of just opened my eyes to just say that like, no matter where you are, you work hard, you put the time in, like you can just, you can do amazing things. And that's kind of what McDavid was showing. He was just in his own world, having fun.
First and foremost, having fun. Loving what he's doing. And yeah, all the things that come with it are just the cherry on top. Really cool to kind of see that. But I would have loved to be able to stay out there for a minute, just to face one breakaway.
Just to say I got to work on McDavid. But yeah, I can't say McDavid. He's just so much fun to watch.
Do you think Obashkin will be Weston's rec student?
Oh yeah, absolutely. Obashkin is such a great, just everything for the sport of hockey. And I mean, ever since he entered the league with that crazy goal he scored, you know, on his back. Like, to now he's still doing it.
And you know, he has kids, just a great, just like I said, player for the sport, you know, and he's just bringing so much to Washington. And yeah, I saw the other day that they're, you know, they're keeping their team so that he can help him break the record and not trade guys.
Because you know, whatever. So it just, you just, that just has to go to show what kind of guy that, you know, Obashkin is. And yeah, I have no doubt in my mind. I mean, no one can stop the shot. He has a heart to shot.
Yeah, he shoots and he scores. Easy game, easy game. Just, he sits there and just takes one timers. Yeah, so it's, yeah, I say no question, he's breaking the record.
If you have to pick one favorite goalie right now, the hottest one. Oh, easily, Vasilevsky. Vasilevsky is, he's like McDavid with goalie. He's playing a different sport out there.
He's got every single tool that you need as a goalie. Height, just the way he moves, the way he thinks, the game. I just think he's like the, he's a wall. He's a wall. If I were to try and model my game after anyone, it would try to just be Vasilevsky on his very worst day.
You know, like, like just to, that's how, that's how perfect I think he is and his approach to the game practice. He doesn't want, just like Dominic Kossel, he doesn't want to get scored on ever.
And you can see it in the game, but I'm sure it's the same in practice. So yeah, Vasilevsky, no question. I think for me, one of my favorite goalies ever. Oh, wow, cool. Yeah.
What's up, Vasilevsky? What's up? What is the hardest shot you ever faced? Like, I don't know, you keep a track on the short.
You know what, Pavel is up there. Pavel is up there, no question. His one-timer. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, no, seriously though, Pavel is a hard shot, hard shot. Howard Chuck on our team too.
Zach Jordan on our team, like, yeah, a lot of guys who just shoot the puck. But yeah, I'd have to say it's between Pavel and my buddy Hawkins.
He plays a Tweedle right now and he's always, as a kid we grew up playing together and he's always had a harder shot than anyone.
Yeah, he's been shooting pucks since he was two years old. Before he walked, he was shooting pucks. So yeah, I'd have to say between those two, probably a harder shot.
Oh, boy. Did you ever had a fight?
I had one little fight. Yeah, I know, just a little bit. It was just a crazy event. Like, it was back in AAA. I was playing with Copyware and we were playing Little Seeders and it was like a bench-clearing brawl.
It was a championship game and it just kind of got out of hand. Yeah, we were outnumbered. We were missing like four guys that game. So guys were just getting kind of like junk, two-on-one.
Yeah, everyone just cleared. It was more so just helping teammates out, like, just getting guys getting jumped because we were down guys. So yeah, more so just kind of helping guys.
So yeah, it was like one fight when I was, I think I was eighth grade. And yeah, that was it. I haven't gotten to it ever since. Just kind of let them handle it, you know, just try to keep my face how it is.
Like, I'm a ghost. Yeah, yeah. I'm going to keep my face how it is. I'm okay, you guys. But no, we have so many guys on our team especially this year who can handle that.
A lot of guys fight, but I just let them do their job. Yeah, I'll give them the thick tops and clap more.
Because yeah, we got the mean guys, which is great to have that they have my back. They have anyone's back on the ice. And that's just, yeah, great, great to have.
You watch the World Cup. Yeah. Oh yeah. It's like Martinez. Yeah, great goalie, but you could see that after each great penalty shot, who would celebrate. Yeah. And a lot of people there to handle a goalie when they do that.
You know what, that's a great question.
I agree. I think like, you know, a player can celebrate, the team can celebrate after goals. And yeah, and then you see a goalie celebrating. Oh, this guy is cocky. This guy's weird.
What? Like, he's doing the same thing that everyone in the ring, the stadium gets to do. But for some reason, you have it in your head that you can't show emotion because he's a goalie.
I agree. I think, you know, a lot of goalies, one time in hockey, you will really see them after a shootout victory.
But yeah, I was fired up when the goalie would make. Yeah, get fired up. Because yeah, it's exciting.
A lot of times, goalies, you know, growing up, it was like, you do good, everyone's happy, you do bad, everyone doesn't like you. And it's just to live like that and try and not show emotion. You keep it bottled up, you know.
And it's like, you know, forget that. Like, be emotion. Like, show your personality. So yeah, I love having a good opportunity, like after a win, you know, to celebrate.
You know, more so, like for me, like, probably would after each shootout, just because you kind of have to be so ready for me, be so ready for the next one.
But yeah, after a game, like after a big win, like my buddy, like Brassard, he just scored a goal.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. He did a knee slide, you know, like the world of soccer, did a knee slide and like put his hands out.
And I was like, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen. I was like, yeah, like that'll, that'll, first-name Mariners never score a goal. Like, just like, I mean, so cool, you know.
Did you win a score to goal?
Oh, yeah, I would love to score a goal. I'll leave that for the puck handlers. I'm just trying to make it pass with the defense, you know.
But I just think that's just so good for the game, so good for goalies to see that you can, because that's kind of like when I joined a little late and my personality didn't match.
Like, I was, I was not the same goalie I was when I was in high school. I would get, I wore it up my sleeve. We got scoring on, you would know, I'm banging my stick. I get mad.
They do. Exactly. I know. You see it. Yeah, you'll see it. Exactly. Like, I was the same way. I heard like some of my favorite goalies, like they told Flurry that he wasn't going to make it to the NHL if he kept doing that.
And he did. He got better. Now he skates to the glass and just kind of gives a little whatever to himself. And he comes back and resets, you know, like he uses that anger and doesn't show it, you know.
So it's not frowned upon. And he changed that. And that's what I tried to do, too. And it took some time. But I would, I would just, I would get so mad, so upset.
But yeah, I think you see someone, the best goalie, Vasquez, changed that energy to flipping the switch. Okay, it happened. Okay, now forget it. Now back in the game.
You know, but it definitely takes time. But yeah, Flurry, he told him he had to, and then he did it. And he was the, yeah, like first overall pick, you know, at 18 in the NHL.
So just really cool. I think it does make a difference that if you channel your energy and aggression and frustration, you know, and to just kind of dialing back down and getting ready for the next one.
Do you have any superstitions? You don't have to tell us. Yeah, we'd probably be here for another couple hours. God's meeting?
Just, it's not like, it's things that I just do, just because I've always done it. I think it's like, to me, the superstition is to be able to do, play hockey and, you know, play so many games and practice every day.
Kind of have to go through a set of routines to keep your mind, to allow your mind to just be free when you get to the ice. So that way you don't have to think about anything.
Because it's tough. Like sometimes every day you're hurt and you're tired, you know, from playing three and three. Yeah, bored. Yeah, bored. Yeah. Not getting any sleep because you have a nine month old, you know.
Whatever it is, I think it's nice to have just that routine so that you can, you know, that's one thing that you don't have to think about and just go out and play.
So for me, yeah, I kind of will do the same thing. It might not be in the same order, but there's just the same warm up, the same pregame stretches, the same breakfast before home games, the same.
Like, yeah, everything is the exact same, just so I can kind of just, I don't have to worry about it. I know once this gets done, it's going to allow me, I think another thing too, like when you do something and you do something well, okay, you want to do it like that again.
You know, so I think when my routine allows me to perform well, oh, I don't need to change anything. I can keep that there. You know, it's almost like getting your coffee before work.
You know, it's the same thing with coffee, like you just do certain things certain ways, but you can have a good productive day.
And that way you can just forget about it. Like I do my thing, okay, I leave the rink, I come back later and everything is kind of set and I can kind of perform and not worry about anything, any hiccups or anything.
So I think it just allows for just the easy, just progression because I mean, I'm game day and like today, like, you know, I was playing Orlando, like you're at the rink for a total of eight hours, you know, for in the morning from 830 to say 11 or so and then at the game from five till 10.
You know, so it's like you have to have these things in place or else you, it's going to be a long day, you know. So I just think it helps to just clear the mind a little bit.
People like to call it superstition, but I think everyone, every day, you know, you wake up, say whatever it is, shower, you know, you put your clothes on, like, these are all routine.
I just think it's the same thing in hockey. You get there, some people do shower, you put on your underarmor and you want, like, I think we all just do things prepared to be our best selves.
And once you find it, you don't, you don't want to stray from that. You don't want to do anything different. You want to perform well, so you want to keep doing things that prepare you to do well.
So that's what I think it is. So they like to call it superstition, but I just say that I'm preparing to perform, you know.
So I just do the same thing. Preparing to perform.
Why? Why? Why? Yeah, so I think that's kind of where, you know, I didn't really notice it until I know I'm pretty, like, I've gotten looser over the years, just experience just playing the league.
But I know I've, in college, I was pretty, I wouldn't really talk to anyone and I would do a lot for two hours before the game. But it hit me when I, the thing we did like a little team event, actually an Indy, a couple years ago.
And they said, like, it was just, we're all sitting there with the fans and they're like, who's the most superstitious, stitious person on your team?
And I'm like, oh, I wonder. And everyone's like, Willie. And I'm like, oh, I didn't know how you did it. But I had an idea, but I'm like, everyone was just like, no question.
You know, I was like, oh, okay. So I looked back and I'm like, I guess it does look like I'm pretty superstitious because I have something pretty much the whole leading up to every meeting with the coach to we're on the ice.
So I was like, okay, I guess that is pretty, but you know, for me, it's just preparing to perform. So, yeah.
And throw it one more time.
Yeah, let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Yeah. So that's probably it. Yeah. I'm very superstitious and it's been, it's been working.
What if someone touches your ear before the game?
Yeah, I'm good with that now. I'm good with that now. Now. Now. Yeah.
And youth hockey.
Oh, man. I had a teammate, Jay Goldberg, if you see this.
I would put on, I was here up until like, pro hockey and I started playing more games, but I was like dialed. Everything had to go a certain way.
And I would always put up my pack. We'd always sit next to each other and just be kind of wait. He would just unbuckle my strap. Unbuckle my strap.
And like, it was just. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah, he was. Yeah. Yeah. He was. He was working my boundaries and making me uncomfortable, being comfortable being uncomfortable.
You know, he was just and you know, it's funny because now, now it's actually helped me now and things are say like today we're in Orlando, say there's traffic.
You don't get there. And that was my biggest thing that hurt me a couple years. Like, I got I need to get there at home. I had to get there. I used to have to get there at 430 for a seven o'clock game.
Oh, we don't get there till five. You know, so now I try and get these 20 minutes, 30 minutes, what I would normally do short now into like five minutes. So I'm taking your time.
No, no. Yeah. Like, it's just like it's like with Gobert, man, he just kind of would do things to kind of mess with me.
And it helped me like, hey, it's OK. Like, you play this game for this long. You know, you know what to do and allowed me to just adapt and yeah, be comfortable being uncomfortable.
And that was just that that helped a lot. But that was one of my pet peeves for a long time. Like, don't touch my stuff. Don't touch me. Like, don't don't talk to me.
So you were. Oh, yeah, I was. I was. I was like, just so focused on just thinking about the puck and making things, not letting it go in that I was actually hindering myself from playing my letting my personality and emotions show in the game.
So once I turned pro, I started playing more just this game, played more games, was able to just learn different things, watch different boys like and it just allowed me to just like, hey, I can relax here.
I can just I can chill. Yeah, I can talk to people. I can I can I can talk to people. People can talk to me. It's OK.
I got to a point sometimes where I wouldn't listen to music, but I'd have my headphones in as if I am just so like no one talks to me.
So but now I'm good. Now I'm just I'm talking to everybody, making sure I talk to everyone, seeing what everyone's doing, talking with the owner, like just just being present and and just there.
It helps a lot. I've heard that from Ilya Sarokin from Islanders. Once he told me that he doesn't talk to people like a few days before the game.
But a few years later, he was like, no, that's great. I don't do that anymore. Yeah, yeah, that's that's extreme.
That's funny. But I'm I'm similar, like still to this day, I will not go on social media after my nap.
So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah, yeah, there's no reason.
I'll see it out there. Like there's nothing that except distractions.
But you might see some stuff like those guys and I tell you might say something about you on there.
Like there's so many things that you don't need that you can see after.
So yeah, after taking that, but like like two o'clock.
So like I said, eat and everything's fine. Social media, all that.
But once I take a nap, I wake up, I just I'm either texting, you know, my family, Camille and just, yeah, just that's pretty much it.
Just kind of hanging out being present. I think that's helped me, too.
And that's one thing that I always keep is just I don't what six, seven hours about it.
So they can handle that. Yeah. Right.
And I'm not even a crazy social media guy at the first place, but I just found that that helps me just be present.
And in the games and during that time, you make your wife follow your routines like before the game.
You have to talk to me like that.
You know what? It's so funny you say that because in college, you started this thing that when it's game day, no matter what kind of day it is,
it could be the darkest, rainiest day and I'll wake up and say, it's a beautiful day.
And that's it. It's just a beautiful day.
And then that's it. That's probably the only thing you need to write a book.
Yeah. You know what? That's coming through.
That's the work. Very, very, very, very early in the works.
But I definitely want to do that and just have times like this and talking with.
Yeah. Just, you know, passing. There's so many stories we all have.
And I think that's just so great for everyone to share. We all have a crazy road to how we got here in the locker room today.
You know, so. But yeah, that's probably it.
That's the only thing like, shouldn't we just say it's a beautiful day and it just allows me to no matter what happens, you know, we're healthy.
We're together and playing hockey and it's a beautiful day.
So the weather has nothing to do with that. So I always enjoy that.
That would be beautiful to stop, but no, I still have a few things to add.
Hey, I'm having a great time.
What do you think should be improved in hockey outside of the ring?
That's great. You know, this is something that I think we all can probably agree to.
And they're starting to. But I think just showcasing other ethnic backgrounds, nationalities.
I know one of my friends I played with in Indy, he was talking about how they were at different games.
I think his wife was involved with them setting up like Russian, like food tables at rings.
So like people could, yeah, experience. Yeah. What's like to eat in different, you know, different countries and like, you know, for me, I mean, American, like having celebrations and February Black History Month, like promoting things that are, you know, maybe outside of the majority of hockey.
And I just think that's so cool. And you're seeing it more and more with indigenous, you know, just just so many things that they're starting to incorporate.
I think they're on the right track and I hope that they continue to blow the doors off and just continue to get people in those on those teams and in the NHL working to show kids like, hey, like I can.
I look like this and I see someone who's like that in the NHL, you know, Wayne Simmons, all these guys that look like, you know, me, I can do that too.
You know, I just think it gives the next generation and kids who might not have it all, but they see these guys on TV who might be in the same situation they were in when they were a kid.
You know, so I just think that's probably my biggest thing and something that I want to be a part of too. One day is helping the next generation see that, hey, these guys were in your same shoes when they were six, seven, eight, you know, 15 years old.
I just think that's just something that they continue to do that would be so good for the sport will grow the sport and just continue to promote like everyone is welcome to play, you know, and we can keep putting.
It's an expensive game. So if we can keep implementing ways for kids to be able to play, you know, for free and just just to try things out to go to games.
I think it will just make a big difference.
He is what you think about women.
Oh, we were talking. So I have nine month old, you know, and she started to stand so skate, you know, right around the corner. It's Christmas. I just I love it. My when I was in Buffalo my last year of college.
We skated at the same rank as the Buffalo Buttes who play in the NHL. Yeah, so my goal coach was their goal coach as well. And, oh my gosh, they were a blast.
I did an internship and got to work with their team in the gym. I did like an internship at the gym.
Oh, it was like so many of the team, the women were on the national teams for Team Canada, Team USA, and just seeing how they prepare and, you know, a lot of them.
Like different situations like a lot of times there'd be girls who would just come in for the games, but they still work at their jobs back home like the like the way that they had like kind of come together.
Very like it was tough. So like, you know, they had to really make it again, a really big effort to this, you know, under girl chemistry with each other.
Like whereas we're with our team, we're together every day. So it's pretty easy. But, you know, for them, like meeting up for just games and people on different programs like learning systems and playing together.
I went to quite a few Buffalo Buttes games and it was awesome. It was a place with rockin like so many different people in the crowd too, like, which is really cool to see.
And it was just, you know, it kind of blew my mind because I've never been to a game before, you know, on this professional game.
And obviously with our All-Star game, there's a lot of women in the professional league and they're just such great personalities, you know, like I always see them, you know, on sports center on different things on the TV talking about the PWHPA and just their lead and how they're working at growing and what they can do.
And I just, I just am so such a big advocate for, for, like I said, hockey forever, just like we said, and I just think that they keep pushing and giving them opportunities to grow.
And yeah, I just think it's gonna be great. And like I said, I have a little girl, you know, who one day, you know, might want to aspire she loves hockey, and I want her to have the opportunity, fair opportunity to, to play and enjoy and love it and get the respect that, you know, it really deserves.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
How much fatherhood.
Oh, yeah.
Besides that you don't have a clean.
Yeah, yeah.
I have to say I have to know sleep part. It's been amazing, you know, unlike anything I could ever prepare for explain it ever since she got here March 18 like it's just been the biggest accomplishment biggest blessing of my life.
Even on those days where she is waking up every couple hours, you know, the night, you know, the morning comes, and she smiles at you, and I feel like I have all the energy in the world, you know, so it's, it's especially even for goal I got to bring her into after
the tough game last year. And yeah, bring in the locker room and stuff. And it was yeah it was surreal. Yeah, I, yeah, I was just kind of just didn't feel like it was real, you know, and just to see her grow.
And now you know this year I might be holding her hand, you know, as she walks around locker room, you know, so really really fun. It's just been everything that everyone has said, just the biggest blessing in your life and have such a great family
and support and even the girls have a team that's helping out. It's just in the community, everyone we had an event on Monday, I probably had asked about her 3040 times.
No, I don't look like you know Cody can't come do I even need to come, you know, she can't make it. Well do I need to like, yeah, just come in and be like okay.
Yeah, it was, she's just the star of the show, which is just said another surreal thing too. She just such a sweetheart and it's just been. Yeah, I said every day is just a great day because, yeah, she's just smiling and just loving life.
Really beautiful. Every day is a beautiful day. Right now every day is a beautiful day.
So really fun. Thank you for finding time. Oh man, this is awesome.
Thanks for listening Hockey on the Beach. Don't forget to support Willie and Jackson the Lightsman.