Scott Young

Coffee with... -

Hockey has been a huge part of Scott Young's life since the age of five. He grew up cheering for the Montreal Canadiens, was a member of the Gander Minor Hockey Association, played junior hockey in Clarenville, and made the move to senior hockey immediately after.

The Gander native remembers watching the senior Flyers play at the old Gander Gardens, and had the opportunity to play for the hometown team in 1992-93, where he captained the purple and yellow all the way to the Herder Memorial Trophy championships.

The Flyers lost in the finals that year, a loss that kick-started a run of Herder final heartaches for the now 42-year-old. After playing with the Flyers, Young returned to the Herder finals twice with the Badger Bombers and Deer Lake Red Wings, only to come out on the losing side all four times.

When it looked like lady luck just wasn't with him, Young received a phone call from the Clarenville Caribous in January, as the senior team needed depth on the blue line. After a quick chat with his girlfriend, Heather Jones, Young accepted the team's invitation. The team cruised into the playoffs, disposing of the Deer Lake Red Wings and Grand Falls-Cataracts respectively, and Young was once again back in the Herder finals.

This time, however, the hockey gods gave Young a break, as the Caribous defeated the Conception Bay North CeeBee Stars 7-4 in game five to claim the biggest prize in Newfoundland and Labrador senior hockey.

Q: When did you begin playing minor hockey?

A: I first played minor hockey when I was five. That was a long time ago. I signed up as soon as I was able to play.

Q: What's your first hockey memory - playing or watching?

A: My first hockey memory...I would have to say it's being a kid watching hockey with my grandfather and great aunt. That memory really sticks out in my head. There are a lot of things that I remember while playing the game - obviously winning the Herder is at the top - but I'll always remember that. I started cheering for the Habs - I'm still a Habs fan - and I think it's because of the red jerseys. My great aunt was also a Montreal fan, and I guess that also had something to do with it.

Q: When did you start playing minor hockey at a more competitive level?

A: You see, there was no such thing as AAA or high school hockey back then. Basically, we just had all-star teams, and I guess things started to get more competitive when I was eight or nine. I played on the atom all-star team, and I continued to play for all-star teams all throughout minor hockey.

Q: Did you leave to play higher calibre hockey once you finished minor hockey? Did you jump right to senior hockey, or did you play junior?

A: I actually left to play junior hockey in Clarenville with the Junior Caribous. It's kind of ironic that I started playing with the Junior Caribous, and I finished with the Senior Caribous. I went to MUN when I finished high school, and ended up playing three years of junior hockey with the Caribous. I later went to Acadia University and graduated with a degree in 1992, came back to Gander and played my first year of senior with the Flyers that fall. I went to the Herder final that year and we lost 3-2 to the Flatrock Flyers...I'll always remember that one. We went undefeated at home all season long, and they came in to win the first two games. We went to Flatrock to take the next two, and they won the final game back here in Gander.

Q: After losing in the Herder for so many years, did you ever think it wasn't going to happen for you? Was it hard to stay positive?

A: You have to be positive...and you always think you're going to win. Sure, I've lost five, but I always thought we were going to win. I played last year with the Deer Lake Red Wings, and after we lost in game seven of the West Coast final, I kind of figured it was my last shot at winning a Herder. Then on a Saturday night in January, I was watching TV with my girlfriend, and Clarenville called looking for a defenceman. The thing about playing senior hockey is that it's such a commitment, especially when I'm not living in Clarenville, so there's a lot of things I had to consider...having two kids and a girlfriend were two of them. Without her support, there's no way I could have done it because your weekends are shot. I'm a shift worker, so it's ok for me, but she works Monday to Friday, and my weekends are hockey, hockey, hockey. I got off the phone that night and said, 'You're not going to believe this.' She said, 'You're going to play, aren't you?' Without her being so supportive, there was no way I could have played.

Q: What was the support like from your family and friends after you won the Herder?

A: Until you win it, you have no idea how many people are actually following you, and how many people are supporting you. I was overwhelmed when I got back, to be honest. It's very emotional for me, and all I can say is that it's unbelievable...and that's an understatement.

Q: What are your plans for next season?

A: I have no plans for next year. I've been saying for the past four or five years that I'm going to hang them up, but they call and I keep coming back. I've always wanted the Herder because it's such a prestigious trophy, and it signifies the best in Newfoundland senior hockey. Right now I'm looking forward to the Allan Cup, and I'm just enjoying winning the Herder. I have no plans for next year, and I'll probably be back in the Gander Rec Flyers lineup next year.

Q: What will it take to bring the Flyers back to the Newfoundland and Labrador Senior Hockey League?

A: The teams that are in the league now have big time support from the communities they're in, as well as businesses. I'm not saying the Town of Gander wouldn't support it, but it just seems like there isn't a lot of ice time available in Gander. If you're going to play at that level, you need to practice. Also, a lot of the teams are bringing people in because it's the only way they can be competitive. You also need to look at what local players would be willing to commit...you may have six or seven players that can play, but would they be willing to commit their time? You also need to have the right executive in place willing to deal with all of the behind the scenes aspects of running a senior team. However, with the facility we have, and if Gander was willing to do what other towns are doing, I don't see any reason why the Flyers couldn't make a return.

info@ganderbeacon.ca