It’s important to educate them early.
With that in mind, my three-year-old can instantly identify Sid the Kid, his favourite book is a biography of Jacques Plante and he can name every team from the Original Six, although he sometimes get the Bruins confused with the Red Sox.
The other night, another teaching opportunity presented itself at a junior hockey tilt. Before the game, players from one of the teams stood outside their dressing room hooting and hollering to get psyched up.
"Dad," the little guy asked. "Why are all the players yelling at each other?"
Tradition, my boy, tradition.
Since the beginning of time, "hockey talk" has been a huge part of the magic that goes into the game. Hitting the ice, on the bench and in the dressing room, the game has its own unique language and the more creative the better.
As a lousy back-up goalie on a lousy junior team in 1980, we had the misfortune of facing the powerful Red Deer Rustlers. It was a club that boasted three Sutter brothers — Brent, Rich and Ron — and went on to win the Canadian championship. The Rustlers had a pre-game ritual that featured players screaming "Eat ‘em up and spit ’em out!" at the top of their lungs, over and over again. It put the fear of God into the opposition and teams were so intimidated that they were beaten before the game even started.
But great players aren’t the only motivational motor-mouths. It’s also an excellent way for ham-’n’-eggers to show the coach that their minds — and mouths — are in the game. Paul Fenton is the assistant general manager of the Nashville Predators and enjoyed an eight-year playing career in the NHL.
In 1991, he suited up for the Calgary Flames and because of his habit of constantly screaming encouragement at teammates, they nicknamed him "Booster Club." Fenton managed only five goals in 31 games with the Flames and while he couldn’t walk the walk, he could definitely talk the talk. Sure, he got on his teammates’ nerves once in a while, but every dressing room needs a holler guy to pump up the volume.
So, in tribute to hockey chatter-boxes everywhere, we proudly present five lines you can use the next time your team needs a verbal shot in the arm"
1. Pitter patter, let’s get at ’er, boys!
2. Let’s go, fellas…..20 for 60!
3. C’mon guys. Backcheck, forecheck, paycheck!
4. What d’ya say, boys? This is our team, our time and our town!
5. Now’s the time, men. Let’s break their hearts, steal their women, get back on the bus and get outta Dodge!
And incidentally, the next time you’re at a hockey game, don’t be surprised to see a three-year-old in the stands talkin’ it up.
It’s all part of that educational process we mentioned off the top.