11
Please support our Advertisers, it’s a winning combination.
Scott Pearson Continues To Stay Busy With Hockey By Todd Anderson
C
ornwall native Scott Pearson, a veteran of 292 National Hockey League games, has always been heavily involved in hockey. Eight years after his professional playing days officially came to an end, things have not changed. Speaking to Sports Energy during a sunny July afternoon from the deck of his Long Sault cottage, the 45-year-old talked about his role with MedAssets, where he is vicepresident of corporate events, and his role, actually various roles, with the Atlanta Fire minor hockey league program. Looking back at when he joined MedAssets, Pearson recalls the appreciation he felt in having something to focus his dedication on, after his hockey-playing career came to an end in 2000/01, after playing 51 games for the Essen Mosquitoes in the DEL Deutsche Eishockey Lige (German Ice Hockey League). Officially, Pearson’s pro career ended after playing one game for the Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League in 2006/07 season. “It’s not an easy transfer when you stop playing,” says Pearson “your whole life changes. The whole environment of being a pro hockey player, it’s different. (MedAssets) is a great company. I have learned a lot from the business. I’ve met a lot of great influential people who have helped me along the way.” Pearson says his move to Atlanta was “as smooth as you could ask for.” In 1999 the Alpharetta Family Skate Center dubbed “the Cooler” opened in Alpharetta, Georgia. Since that time, Pearson has been involved with the Atlanta Fire minor hockey program in various capacities, including coaching many teams. “I’m proud what we have accomplished with the program,” he says. “The younger players aspire to get better
each day.”
One player who has graduated through the system and reached new heights is Scott’s son Chase, who was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. “It’s pretty humbling to be a part of this,” says Scott. “To sit in the stands and be at the draft, there were a lot of memories from when I was drafted (6th overall in 1988 by the Toronto Maple Leafs). I’m proud of him because he worked so hard to get here.” Father has tried to instill a sense of balance in son. Despite Chase’s successes, Scott has expressed the importance of remaining grounded. Scott knows being drafted is a great first step, but it only means your foot is in the door. Plenty of hard work is still ahead. Luckily, he’s had the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience during his son’s rise in the sport. “Chase was born and raised through the Fire,” says Scott. “He started in the Mite (novice) division and played right up to midget. I was able to coach him a lot. There are a lot of great memories there. It’s gratifying to see the boys now becoming young men. To see how appreciative they are.” Pearson and his family return to their cottage in Long Sault every summer to enjoy various water sports, meet with friends, and family, and most of all - relax. “I have great memories as a kid growing up here,” recalls Scott, a former Cornwall Minor Hockey League player and Huron Hockey School instructor. “I still have lots of friendships here. The great thing is the kids (Chase and daughter Trinity) love coming back, too. The kids appreciate coming back and doing the things I did here. I wish I was a kid again.”
Scott Pearson enjoyed some time off this summer with son Chase, pictured, and other friends and family at their cottage in Long Sault.
Photo Todd Anderson
some fishing and other water sports. In regards to his son, and other young hockey players, it’s the type of thing Pearson thinks should happen during the off season - getting away from the ice for a bit. “I’m a firm believer you can get burned out doing too much. It’s important to not over do it. Play other sports. Do some off-ice work. Instead of going out and playing summer hockey, after a break, why not participate in camps instead? You get more ice time, probably about 10 times more. It’s what you get out of it, but I think a break is very important. Parents need to be smart where they spend their money and what they get out of it.”
young players. “Repetitions, I’m big on that. I’m big on showing a drill, and then repeating it, and repeating it. It’s how you learn. ”
During Pearson’s NHL career he skated with Toronto, the Quebec Nordiques, Buffalo Sabres, and Edmonton Oilers. He was asked (this interview was held prior to the Leafs big off-season trade that sent top scorer Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh) about the rebuild going on in Toronto right now. “Knowing Shanny (President Brendan Shanahan) and Hunter (Director of Player Personnel Mark Hunter), who coached me, after a major rebuild, in two or three years they could do some damage in the During the most recent trip, the As a coach, Pearson is a strong playoffs. They have the management Pearsons kept busy with little odd jobs around the cottage like fixing believer of ensuring proper technique to think for the future. The game is Continued on page 12 up their fire pit. They also enjoyed and philosophies are instilled in
“People Pulling Together for you”
613.936.0660 • www.minimaxexpress.com 605 Education Rd. Cornwall, ON, K6H 6C7