Column: A Fresh Start With A New Team Can Rejuvenate A Career
Posted by jtbourne on July 5, 2011 · 5 Comments
ShareThis
New Puck Daddy: how a fresh start with a new team can rejuvenate a player’s career (Puck Daddy)
*****
Since July 1st I’ve been spending my days learning more about a job of mine that’s recently changed. I know the posts have been infrequent, so thanks for your patience. I will keep everyone in the loop, of course, and it won’t hinder my ability to actually blog once I get the hang of it. Hope everyone (in the US) had a great long weekend!
I'm a hockey player turned writer. After playing for Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA (NCAA), I carried on with an NHL tryout (New York Islanders in 2007) before spending a couple seasons in the AHL/ECHL (last year was 2008-09). My father, Bob Bourne, won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the '80's, as did my fiancee's dad, Clark Gillies. I'm now the web editor for theScore's hockey blog "Backhand Shelf."
Miss your blog posts JB, but good luck with the new Easton gig. Had a terrific weekend here once I recovered from Jagr (good riddence, again!) and Talbot (Fuuuuuuck, but wish him well) signing with Philly. My fervent hope is that Max gets a good cheer on Dec 29th, and Jagr gets a never-ending cascade of boos. And sorry Max, but I hope the Flyers implode next season.
Moving on…
It was a long weekend here in Canada as well…. Just a little thing called CANADA DAY.
Oh snap
Speaking of fresh starts:
I was wondering what everyone thinks on players going to Europe?
I’m more thinking about North American players heading to Europe, rather than guys returning home, but specifically, my interest is mostly in the younger guys who have been bumping around the minor league level (Joel Perrault, Dustin Boyd, Nigel Dawes) rather than the guys who have washed out of the NHL (Rob Niedermayer).
Is this a career move to still chase the NHL dream (play well in Europe and hope to earn attention to garner a one-way deal later on) or is it more the enticing offers from overseas? (more money than AHL and the other benefits with taxes, housing, etc from some of the countries there)
I guess, what’s the consensus on younger players heading overseas? Are they turning their back on NA or trying to figure out a new way to advance their career (or are those two options even mutually exclusive?)
KForbes, I know a player that is playing over in Germany. A couple years ago, I asked him those sorts of questions. He said he likely wouldn’t consider playing in NA unless he got a 1-way deal with an NHL team. The money in Europe is so much better. The uncertainty of playing in the AHL/NHL is pretty tough to deal with.
He also said that when you play in Europe, the team pays for just about everything. He had housing, a car, most of his meals and personal travel throughout Europe paid for. Basically, it was impossible the spend a lot of money over there. And his salary was virtually tax free. It’s also a bit less intense; shorter season, less pressure etc.
Now, this player isn’t on the same level as Dustin Boyd etc. I don’t thik he’s every played an NHL game, so his reasons may have been different than the guys like Boyd and Dawes who are (or were) splitting time between the two leagues.
I don’t think that going to play in Europe is a career advancer.. unless you are a older Czech player looking to sign a deal with the Flyers in your late 30s… signed cautiously optimistic Flyer fan.