Face Off Against Cancer Hockey Tournament

Face Off Against Cancer


I found myself a little nervous, the last time I was in a hockey tournament was the Memorial Cup back in 1989. I was excited to help such a great cause and knew this was going to be a good time.

Friday night was the opening ceremonies and I love being able to be a part of something special like this. There were so many people there and all had been touched by this awful disease. It is amazing to think of how many people are connected throughout the World by something so devastating. 

The games were not the pace I had feared (guess we are all slowing down in our old age). It was great to see old teammates and friends. The game has always done that, provided opportunities to connect with great people and have times in our lives we will always remember.

The most for me that had the greatest impact happened shortly after our second game. The referee came into our room, must of been in his early sixties, and thanked us all for being a part of the tournament. He shared that he too had battled cancer and was 6 years clean.

To all of my friends who donated to support me, I am grateful. The game can be unfair and hurtful at times, but it also can provide some life experiences that touch your soul and will become a part of who you are. Thanks to the Cancer society for all their hard work and my cousin Hubie for including me on Team Hunting (energy).

A Brewery and a Ropes Course: Wild Rose at Rafter Six Ranch Resort Ropes Course

This past Wednesday the Team from I Got Mind and over 20 employees from Wild Rose Brewery ventured outside of the city to Rafter Six Ranch Resort.  In store for the day – a team building exercise involving the ropes course.  After all, what could possibly be better than combining a brewery and a ropes course?

After leaving Calgary on a coach bus around 12:30, Bob spent the ride up discussing motivation, ‘The Attitude of Gratitude,’ and had each member fill out a short questionnaire – you know, the kinds of questions like, “If you were stranded on a deserted island, which 3 team members would you want with you on the island and why?”

The excitement started to build when we pulled in to Rafter Six Ranch Resort and everybody was a bit giddy.  With a few minutes before everyone was supposed to meet, some checked out the ponies, others explored the lodge and the grounds, and a few had a drink while taking in the scenery.  Of course, you can’t just go on a ropes course, so everyone was herded into a room where waivers were signed and a few safety precautions were discussed.

Next, the group made its way over to the course and had a few laughs as a few team members struggled to make their way into their harnesses properly.  A few more safety lessons and it was time to climb.  The group focused on staying positive, supporting each other, and communication.   While that was not always the case, the team did a fantastic job making their way through the 18 obstacles meters off the ground.

The team chatted throughout the entire exercise and it was great to hear those ahead offering advice and everyone offering words of encouragement.  The high light seemed to be the zip line down as a lot of hoots and hollers were heard.  Then again, it might have been the highlight because there were cold beverages at the end!

As we left Rafter Six Ranch and boarded the bus back to Calgary, there was a buzz in the air.  While most were physically exhausted, spirits were high.  Bob compared it to the times he was on the road with the team and they would pull off a big win.  Trust was gained, relationships cemented, and fear overcome.  It was a fantastic team building exercise and an event I Got Mind and Wild Rose will remember for years to come.

A group watches as teammates make their way down the zip line

Bob as he finishes the zip line

Ryan coming down the zip line

Paddie making his way between 2 hanging boards

Andrea swinging across one of the courses

There was a bit of a backlog so there was a lot of time to relax

A little more hang out time

Trevor diving to nowhere...

Patrick venturing across one of the courses

Jim making his way across one of the ropes

Laura-Lee and Jessica stop for a photo op

Bill making his way across one of the obstacles

Hanging out in the trees

Leap of Faith - Unless you're tall, then you can just walk across...

Everybody watching at the start of the Ropes Course

Bill struggling a bit to get his harness on...

Time to put the harnesses on...

Making our way to the Ropes Course

Signing the Release Forms

Different view of the ranch

Rafter 6 Ranch Resort

Hockey Players - A Commodity

Deep experience is never peaceful.-Henry James

I am currently sitting and watching the NHL trade day and I find myself being taken to a time in my own career that is quite disturbing. TSN was interviewing Nick Schultz who was just traded to Edmonton and they were asking him "how did you find out"? There is a point in your career when it is not about fun with friends anymore. I was introduced to this when I was barely 17. I was playing for the Calgary Wranglers of the WHL, I was projected to be a high draft pick in the NHL draft that year (1987) and was excited as I had a new coach that communicated and cared about the players state of MIND. All things were looking great for me to have a year that would allow me to make my dream come true.

As I arrived at the rink and walked by the board that the coach had the evenings line up I realized that my name was not on the board. A couple of days prior my best friend and teammate had mentioned that I was talked about being traded. I called Wally Kozak (the coach) and asked if there was any truth. "Bob, there are some really good offers coming in for you, I cannot say yes or no, but the offers are very good". I was pissed, how could they consider trading me after I spent the previous year that was one of the worst and most challenging in my career to that point? 

I proceeded to enter Wally's office and he told me that I had been traded to Swift Current for four players. I was stunned, I was infuriated. That night we were playing the Broncos and the first question I asked was could I play that night. Wally said that part of the deal was that I could not play that night. I left the room without saying much to anyone. I called my parents from the pay phone (we did not have cell phones then) and informed them of the trade. They were as I was, very angry and shocked. I remember that my Mom was there within 30 minutes and stormed in John Chapman's office and went nuts on him. I was embarrassed and happy all at the same time. As the Broncos arrived my parents and I walked down to the opposite side of the building and met my fate for the next three years. I knew a couple of the players from the Olympic programs so at least I knew some of the guys. We talked with Lorne Frey and he seemed excited and then we talked with Graham James. My stomach turned when I saw him - he had the air of creepy to say the least. My Mom after we had met with the staff was very adamant that I was not leaving. My Dad and I sat and watched the game and tried to build something positive to hold onto. Our whole world was turned upside down.

We took a few days to process and talk about the situation that we were in. We did not feel very good, I was having to leave home, I was very young emotionally and was completely unprepared to leave everything I had in my life. My friends, girlfriend, family all to go and play. In my MIND I was confused and scared. I was going, there was no doubt in my MIND about that. I drove from the house with my Dad and I remember crying and thinking I would never return the same, the life I knew had ended.

The next time I was traded I was property of the Detroit Red Wings playing in Ft.Wayne of the IHL. I was 22 and fresh off a Calder Cup Championship, I had been shipped out of Adirondack, I had not panned out and the Wings moved me to make room for a new group of young players. I went into practice and all the guys were asking me what I was doing there. As usual, you think it is a joke, they handed me the newspaper and sure enough it said I had been traded to Philadelphia Flyers. I did not even know what to do or who to call. The coach was surprised that I had not been contacted.

The last trade I was playing in Hershey of the AHL and had asked Bobby Clarke that training camp for a trade because he had not even given me a exhibition game to showcase myself. They had resigned me to being a good minor league player. I was in the Maritimes and getting ready for my pre-game nap. The phone rang and it was Bob Murray from the Chicago Blackhawks telling me they had acquired me and asked how quickly I could be on a plane. I caught a plane and ended up in Detroit within hours. That one was tough as I was newly married and called my wife from the Montreal airport, I remember telling my wife "I was traded, I will be home in a week to pick you up, pack the house, I will call you later."

The game is tough. The game is challenging and you must understand that you are at the discretion of whoever is running the ship to be moved. I know the first time I was mad, the second time surprised, the third time I realized that it was a new opportunity. I now tell the players I work with to look at the positive that a team wants you. Go in and make a difference, don't carry the grudge because it will keep you from performing to the best of your ability.

You are a commodity, know who you are, they talk about how hard it is to find ROLE players. Define who you are and work on being the best you can be in the atmosphere you are in. If you are to be traded you want it to be because of the value you bring to your team.

Bob Wilkie