Herb Brooks elected to Hall of Fame
"This is the icing on the
cake for a very special person, husband, father and grandfather. There
will never be too many honors for Herbie Brooks! Congratulations
Brooks Family." - Gringo
St. Paul native Herb Brooks, who coached the
1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to the "Miracle on Ice," was
elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builder category,
according to legendsofhockey.net.
Terrance "Dick" Duff, Patrick Roy - the NHL's winningest
goaltender - and former NHL chairman of the board Harley
Hotchkiss also were elected, according to the Web site.
All four will be inducted in November.
Brooks led an Olympic team of college players from the United
States to the greatest upset in hockey history over the mighty
Soviet machine in the 1980 semifinals. The Americans went on to
win the gold medal, their only one since 1960. Brooks died in a
car accident in 2003.
Roy won four Stanley Cup championships and three Vezina
Trophies as the NHL's top goaltender in 19 seasons with the
Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. He retired in 2003 as
the league's all-time winningest goalie with 551 regular-season
victories.
"Patrick Roy is a true legend of the game," Avalanche
president Pierre Lacroix said in a statement. "He is a unique
inductee for the Hockey Hall of Fame as one who truly influenced
and redefined the goaltending position."
Duff played with Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles, Buffalo and
the New York Rangers during an 18-year career that ended in
1972. He won a total of six Stanley Cups with the Maple Leafs
and the Canadiens, was a seven-time All-Star and finished his
career with 283 goals and 572 points in 1,030 games.
Hotchkiss was part of the group that moved the Flames to
Calgary from Atlanta. He's still a part owner of the team, and
is the chairman of the NHL's Board of Governors. Herb Brooks; A
continuous search for Peace of Mind
A
few years back, I sent Herb a copy of some material that I used when someone
close to me passed on. He was quick to call me and tell me how much he liked
the material. He asked me, "If the opportunity is there, would you mind if I
used this?" I replied, "Feel free, Herb, I probably got most of it from you
at one time or another anyway" Little did I know that I would be using that
same material in remembering Herb. It fits him better than anyone I know.
We have an obligation to our colleagues and athletes to take every
experience and grow as much as possible from each experience. Herb Brook's
untimely death gives us an opportunity to think about Herb plus the
important things in life. It gives us the opportunity to critique ourselves.
His funeral is a special moment. This is something the Brooks family members
can treasure forever. This final farewell has so many "TIE INS" to real life
and so many lifetime lessons to learn.
I've known Herb Brooks close and up front for 27 years. Only my wife,
Clairene, knows how many hours I've spent talking about life and hockey both
on the phone and in person with Herb. He had a set of rules when
communicating. He liked to agree to disagree. He believed in debate and was
not offended if you disagreed. He also believed in free speech, so this gave
him every right to express his beliefs.
If I had known Herb would be gone, there is no way that I would have
passed on a golf game with him in Florida. I was witness to the entire
Pittsburgh staff wanting to golf with him so I felt I should back off
because I could golf with him anytime. This documentation will be a
continuous effort because it's tough to remember 27 years of ideas and
conversations.
Herb is one of those lifetime relationships that are cultivated through
the sporting world. This is the beauty about the world of sports. The hockey
world is full of short-term relationships that last a lifetime.
I went to work for him at his hockey camp in Shattuck in 1976 and I've
been trying to live up to his expectations since that day. The early years
were tough and long hours. With everyone tugging on him for his time, I was
one person who would work around the clock for him and enjoy doing it. The
lesson here is employers are quick to recognize those who "live their
company". I am still "living the company" and I'm working for myself.
Herb was quick to recognize this and kept giving me a percent of the
business because the profit margins were not good enough to pay me. It
wasn't too long and I was part owner with 33% of the ownership in his
business. This was all done with a handshake. When I couldn't afford tickets
to Gopher games, he made me a goal judge. This is just one example of Herb's
honor system. It was a way for my son, Dino, to have a unique seat for the
games.
Dan Brooks sent me a carved life size Wooden Duck that I gave to his
father in 1980. I made it in the shop @ Rosemount High School for Christmas.
He said, "Herb had it on his desk ever since he received it. He moved his
desk several times and the duck was always placed a few feet away from his
chair." Dan thought I would want it in memory of his dad.
The Duck is going to sit a few feet from my chair.
Herb taught me that the world is bigger than the small world I was part
of. He gave me an opportunity to reach out to kids and my peers all over the
world. He, Craig Patrick and George Gund III gave me an opportunity to work
with some of the top hockey personalities in the game. Most important, he
found out he had a talent that no one could take away from him. He found out
that this talent had more meaning than anything during his playing days. His
mentoring skills will stand the test of time.
What can be learned from Herb's lifetime experiences? Ten percent (10%)
of life is what happens to us and ninety percent (90%) is how we react to
it. I spoke with Dan within 24 hrs of Herb's passing. Dan is a living
example of someone who fits the role of life being 10% what happens to us
and 90% what you do about it. Patti is responding like wise, and I'm
assuming Kelly has the same strengths. They are prepared and handled the
situation as professional as possible. I know Herb prepared Dan even though
there may have been a time when Herb was telling him a lot of things he
didn't want to hear.
Herb was both resilient and understanding. There were times when I
wondered about those who claimed they had a respect for Herb's genius, yet
many of those same people didn't get behind him when he wanted to be a
coach/gm in the NHL. Their belief was no one should take on the role of
gm/coach. He was quick to tell me that this is the way life works and moved
on to another project with the same passion he would have had for the job he
was seeking. I just believed Herb was the exception that could be gm/coach.
I believe many of those same people would reconsider if they had another
opportunity to support him because they did love the man. They would let
their "hearts rule their head". Herb wanted people to challenge him in the
same manner he challenged his players. Herb needed them to do for him what
he did for so many others. His competitors in life weren't bad choices, some
made a name for themselves, but we are talking about competing for a job
with a man who can walk into any boardroom in Corporate America and feel at
home as well as make decisions. The lesson here is, "When someone is at the
top of his game, he still may need the help of others to raise his game to
yet another level."
Herb knew he didn't have the backing from some people he wanted to back
him, and their reasons contradict what they have to say about him; their
assessment of his genius, passion and love for the game and life. Did he
hold it against them? No! He just moved on and continued to maintain his
friendship. He said, "I have my reasons for believing I can do the job; they
have their reasons for believing I can't. Who's to say they aren't right? I
was the last cut from the '60' team. After they won the gold, my father told
me they must have made the right decision." Thinking back, I let my emotions
rule my head and have learned that decision makers have programmed
themselves to make decisions based on their thought process; not their
hearts.
Herb had a "take care of your own" theory. I believe the biggest single
difference between Canadian and American hockey is the ability and
willingness to promote our own. Take some time to look at the big picture.
Canadians are represented at every level of hockey all over the world. This
means people in management, support staff, coaches and players. We have to
do a better job of "promoting our own"; no one else is going to do it. Herb
and I shared the same respect for the Canadian people; they "take care of
their own" and their aspirations are to be in the NHL This is the underlying
reason for the high percentages of Canadians in the NHL.
I do know that Craig Patrick got behind Herb because he wanted him to
have the same opportunities he had in the game. Craig was quick to recognize
that when Herb Brooks was in charge of his own destiny, he responded. Herb
is similar to Craig in that they spend their time focusing on their work and
have the unique ability to "empower" their people. I believe "empowering
people" is something Herb learned from Craig. He loved working for the man
because he let him do his job.
Herb was capable of multi tasks because he enjoyed the challenge and
spent no time promoting himself. This is why he was qualified to be a
coach/gm. He had people in place and had the time to manage, and the ability
to empower, those people. There are some in the business who think they have
to spend half their time doing their jobs and the other half promoting
themselves. Herb was smart enough to realize that a job well done is all the
promoting he needed. His 1980 experience solidified that.
No one is perfect, and it's unfair of us to expect him or her to be. In
looking for flaws, we may be overlooking real talent. When I look in the
mirror I see some things I wish I could change. I try to keep that in mind
when I judge others.
Herb had that unique ability to get into your head, and believe me when I
say he could get in to your head, but he did it out of his love and respect
for you. There were times in our relationship that I had trouble
understanding this but I always came back to how much good he did for me and
his level of intelligence. I got something out of most every conversation we
ever had. There was always something there if you cared to sort through what
he was saying. As I look back, I regret questioning any of his motives.
As a scout in the NHL, I take time to document the assets and liabilities
of prospects for our team. I made mistakes when I dwelled on the negatives.
I look for a "glimpse of excellence" and then find ways to make it happen
with regularity. Herb told me, "It's our responsibility as mentors to take
your glimpse of excellence and make it happen over and over and over again;
each time getting better."
Herb Brook's talents went far beyond his playing skills and performance
on the ice. His number one talent was his unconditional love for people and
his passion for the game of hockey and life. He had a unique ability to
inspire all ages. Young people developed a passion for the game and life by
rubbing elbows, shaking hands or taking one of many pictures with the man.
He was bigger than life to many of them. He believed he was "giving back"
when he spent time with young people.
Everyone has at least one unique skill; some more. Judge them on their
execution and infectious level when they are in a position to use those
talents; especially during "critical moments". Make sure they are aware of
the importance of over achieving in their asset categories. This is the way
a team and businesses are built! Each person feeds off the others' talents
and each person improves in each skill category. Herb excelled during
"crunch time" and he knew how to push the right buttons on each person he
came in contact with.
First and foremost, Herb believed that the good player had above average
intelligence, and in many cases, was very intelligent. His belief was
hockey, being the reaction type game at high speeds that it is, would make
it impossible for anyone to perform if they were not intelligent. Creative
players were in the upper ranges of being very good and having a high level
of intelligence. This was the reasoning behind his "thinking" type system.
He had a respect for the intelligence of his players. He believed that we
should challenge the intellect of the players. This is also why he believed
that any great hockey player struggling in school was lazy and underachieved
in class because you can't excel at the game without being intelligent.
His system was as simple as it gets. There were basically four positions.
They were, in order of importance, Goal Keeper, Center Forward, Weak and
Strong. You were either a weak side wing/defense or strong side
wing/defense. He had his forwards coming back to the puck when the puck was
being moved from the defensive zone or regrouping in the neutral zone. "This
gives a team a built in defensive system because any missed passes and the
players could adjust easier defensively because they were coming back
towards their own net to present themselves for a puck. North Americans have
a center coming back and two players moving away from the puck."
The center forward dictated the flow of the players and game. Example: If
the center was coming your way, vacate your spot and take his or simply fly
the zone. Always present yourself to the puck when your teammate is ready to
give it to you; not when you want it. Eye contact had much to do with
timing. He was teaching his players to use "common sense" and challenging
their intelligence. The real test was every player becomes a center forward
at one time or another
He believed this was one of the reasons for Europeans low statistical
production. They keep their defensive posture in mind at all time, they are
very unselfish with the puck, and they play five man systems with power play
units unless they are in a tournament or playoff mode.
He would fly a man out of the defensive zone to create havoc or play
catch up hockey and he would fly two if he needed to make a big come back.
This is the way he explained it to me on one sheet of paper prior to me
working with the minor pros during a training camp in New York where he took
the top 25 or so players to Europe.
His fore-check was left up to the intelligence of the players playing off
each other. 1st man very aggressive, 2nd reading the first and prepared to
jump on any sawed off pucks and the 3rd in a defensive posture but prepared
to take advantage of an offensive opportunity.
He believed that offensive minded players would raise their game
defensively during critical moments and crunch time, but defensive minded
players would have trouble raising their game offensively.
He made a comment about how he likes his defensemen. He said, "Look at
Mike Ramsey, watch how he keeps his feet moving in tandem, handles the puck
at the same time, gains space for a good passing angle and delivers the puck
while his feet are still moving. There are not many defensemen who can do
that."
I've always remembered this quote while studying the reasons why there
are so few. The reason is simple. The human mind only likes to do one thing
at a time. Mike programmed his mind to do multiple things. This is what the
great athletes do. This is the very reason why a player's feet stop when he
is thinking about catching a puck going down the wing. His mind only wants
to do one thing at a time, so the feet stop while he catches the pass.
I'm sitting here with the original drill books that are hand written by
Herb. There is a book for squirt, peewee and bantam/midget. There are three
binders, all written in long hand. It must have taken him weeks to write
them. This is another example of his passion for the game and willingness to
help young players help themselves.
I can remember the day @ Madison Square Garden when we were playing
Philadelphia. Philly had scouts in the press box diagramming the path of
each player on each shift. One said to me, "I don't know why I'm doing this;
they never go in the same pattern. They change every shift." This is just
one example of how far advanced Herb was for the NHL
Herb wanted his players to play free, play proud, play smart and play on
the edge with the consequences in mind. This means you know the score of the
game, the time of the game, how your play affects your teammates and
organization and what would happen if you made a wrong decision. He liked
risk takers if they considered the consequences of their actions.
Thinking back to the day Philly came in to scout @ MSG, Herb had another
theory in the game. Preparation gets rid of any anxiety; let the other team
worry about you.
Herb Brooks and our family's Greenhaven Rink in Hibbing, MN laid the
foundation for our camp. The camp and the kids are the beneficiary. The real
sadness about all this is that the whole world was just getting to know the
"real Herbie". It wasn't his fault; it just took too many years for others
to realize that he did things out of love and respect for others. He was no
different than the rest of us. He had a basic psychological to be liked or
loved for who he was, what he stood for and his desire to fulfill the
obligations of a true mentor.
Herb's funeral could easily fill the Metro Dome. You have witnessed the
affect of a person with all the intangibles as a mentor. This is the
ultimate test of our contributions to society. This is all about a
relationship with a community, organization, family, extended family, peers
and players. In Herb's case, he had a relationship with the World. Money,
property, boats, cars, motors and toys do not enter into the equation.
Herb once told me, "When we die we get buried in a casket with our best
suit, no money in our pockets and none of the material things we craved in
life. All we have is our honor." Herb's honors come from his personal makeup
and his personal achievements in life. Most are well documented. Others I
know first hand from our relationship.
We have a number of thank you notes from parents and colleagues regarding
Herb because they are unable to attend. They represent people from around
the world, in and out of hockey. These are the highest honors a mentor can
receive. Herb was exactly that. He was a hockey mentor, a true professional
that looked forward to every opportunity he had to go on the ice and work
with athletes. This is a special attribute, one that he took seriously. Herb
was one of those who would look for ways to be on the ice or in some arena
any where in the world.
Development of people meant as much to Herb as Stanley Cups do to the
winners. Herb was one of those unique individuals we've met in our lives. He
was a very special and proud human being with an old fashioned upbringing.
Those responsible can be proud.
The "real product" of his parents evolved over the years just like the
"real products" of Herb and Patti Brooks are evolving now. I was fortunate
to meet all of them. Herb believes anyone from his roots in St Paul is
qualified to live on the Iron Range and anyone from the Iron Range would
enjoy his roots in St Paul. Herb's fondness for Iron Range athletes was
clearly evident and his long-term relationship with many families is the
true test. Herb was very gracious toward my parents and for this I am
forever grateful.
He met his match when he met Patti. She had an equally vibrant
personality, charisma, wit and charm. She could easily top his one-liners.
She certainly didn't have any inhibitions; which I believe is a necessary
ingredient in top athletes and leaders. She excelled at allowing Herb to
"live his life" and he returned the favor. They had their own successful
team and I believe it was because each empowered the other to become what
they could be. Every girl dreams of the man they would like to marry.
Something tells me that Patti married that man.
Herb showed an unconditional love and respect for most every person he
met. He impacted our lives more than anyone will ever know. Our children
developed a relationship with him that only they can describe.
I am on the bus with Herb in Eveleth, MN. The moment is the bus loading
after the Hall of Fame game. Joe Micheletti is the last to get on. Herb
says, "Look at that, Gringo." Joe was kissing his Father, not once but twice
as Italians do, and both were saying "I Love You". Herb said, "Isn't that
the greatest thing you will ever see? It's no wonder he has a great family,
great kids and real winners." Like me, Herb must have been wishing he could
not only do that, but also do it every time we came in contact with people
we cared about.
It's funny though, I knew Herb loved me and he never had to say it.
How do I come into his life 27 years ago and earn the right to be an
honorary pallbearer? Easy. The hockey world is full of examples of dynamic
short-term relationships that last a lifetime. The love generated when you
work for a cause bigger than yourself is a love that lasts forever. Being an
honorary pallbearer for Herb Brooks is the highest honor in my lifetime. It
goes beyond winning championships.
They have yet to replace the Old Fashioned Value System. Remember the 3
R's that were so important to our parents? They were reading, (w) riting and
(a) rithmatic. The Brooks family has one more; recreation. In Herb's case,
recreation led to: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility
for your actions. Then it was Talent x "Relationships with mentors and
people in general + Right expectations of assets + Reward system in place +
Respect earned from the fans and media," which led to his productivity as an
athlete and leader.
Further into his life he had risks, run-ins with critics, resolve,
resiliency, remembering and repentance, righting and now risen. Most
important he was "real".
The 3 R's opened some doors. The other R's developed the intangibles that
stayed with him. This nurturing process ultimately determined his successes
in life. This process gave him the ability to nurture players, which is a
risky business. One mistake can cost a young person his/her career, and in
some cases, his/her life.
The intangibles support and go beyond the 3 R's. Salt of the earth
families have a deeper appreciation for the important things in life. The
Brooks family believes in God, Country, Community, Family, Extended family,
friends and kids. The kids and grand kids are the catalysts for their fun in
life. They showed that @ the rink throughout his entire life. I can feel
that they believe Herb is in a better place.
The old-fashioned value system is all about kids, all about your extended
family beyond your family, about family values instilled at an early age. We
also believe that every child needs a minimum of six mentors beyond their
immediate family. We would have trouble arriving at a final count of every
child Herb impacted.
Kids are powerful. They bring out the best in people who care. More
important, when kids realize you have a passion for the game and their
career, they will respond regardless of your methods. It's a thing called
"love". Herb had this and more.
Kids are so powerful they cause adults to build arenas before they have
enough money to finish it. This is why the Gold Medal arena exists in
Brainerd, MN, and it exists for all the right reasons. The Gold Medal Arena
exists for kids and those we care to memorialize. Herb is one that comes to
mind. One phone call to this man and the Mighty Ducks money is on its way.
This is the place to honor those who care about kids and their futures. This
is the place to honor kids who choose to make something out of their lives.
This is about a place to honor those who give back to the game.
Herb always gave back. Some label him distant". Herb was a master at
telling others what they did not want to hear. He did not draw a line
between players and his peer group. Herb labeled "distant" is the furthest
thing from the truth. I believe he became closer to every person; every time
he chose to tell someone something that they did not want to hear. Anyone
with any degree of intelligence would sense this because he did it out of
love and caring. For some it takes years to figure this out. I could sense
and feel it the day I met him.
Parents and Players should count their blessings if they have a mentor
who spends a season with players and has the courage and passion to tell
them what they do not want to hear. The coach is really telling you he wants
to play a significant role in your life through his teaching, guidance,
friendship, uniqueness and unbiased thinking! The Gold Medal Team of 1980
proved that after twenty years. He was merely fulfilling his commitment to
spread his knowledge and insure people of maximizing their potential.
Herb was smart enough to realize that success breed's complacency. He
guarded against complacency and the tragedy that followed successful people
and teams. He worked hard to prevent tragedy happening to others.
Critics or no critics, we are all going to get a label in life. I've seen
great people with great labels and not so great labels. I've seen not so
great people having great labels and I've seen them labeled properly. There
is not much in between when it comes to labels. The main thing about labels
is they are tough to shake.
We've had the opportunity to work with so many people in the world of
hockey at every level. Herb is one of those that we will remember for the
rest of our lives for all the right reasons. His love for the game was so
visible and can only be equaled; not beat. He was at ease on the rink, in
the classroom, in front of thousands of employees in corporate America and
in Corporate America boardrooms. He was one who "turned heads" when he
entered the room. Things got a little better when he entered a room, joined
a team or just struck up a relationship. He plain and simple "raised the
bar" in every situation. If this is the reason for the distant label, then
we need to take a long look at our value and awareness system in terms of
what we are teaching our youth.
The old-fashioned value system is all about respect and loyalty earned
the hard way. Herb did this through examples, conduct, attitude and work
ethic. Our elders did things with their hands that we cannot afford to
duplicate and they did it with a passion. They were always prompt out of
respect for others. It is all about working and playing when you are sick or
hurt, and achieving in spite of it. It is all about forging a mental
toughness and resolve in spite of the critics you may experience. Critics
are important to our society. They are put in place to weed out the weak and
reward the mentally tough.
Herb answered every critic's challenge.
Old-fashioned values are all about having the resolve to "pay the price" to
success. It is all about "giving back" to something or someone you loved or
benefited from. And most important, it's all about believing that death is
the beginning of a journey to a better place. Herb spent a lifetime "giving
back".
He named his camp Minnesota Hockey Schools (It has since been changed to
Camps). He didn't want it to be Herb Brooks Hockey Schools. He thought
naming it after Herb Brooks was too egotistical. This also shows you the
vision of the man in terms of passing the camp on. His vision also made it
simple to have an email address and web site easy to find on the Internet.
If he were here, he would tell me he planned it that way.
The staff at the camp is devastated by the loss of Herb. The flags were
lowered to half-mast the minute we heard, because we don't need a
proclamation. We all recognized his caring and professionalism. There are
all types of professionals in life. Herb was what I would call a "real pro",
when you judge his accomplishments. There are "real pros" who do everything
they can and more. There are the regular pros that get the job done, and
there are those who just get by. All of these are good people but the "real
pro" stands out.
Herb walked into my office one day and commented on my cluttered desk. He
swept every piece off the desk and on to the floor. Then he said, "That is
what your desk looks like." When he came back he was surprised to see I
hadn't picked it up. I told him that everything was easier to find spread
out on the floor. He laughed and proceeded to help me pick up the materials.
I sensed at that moment that he liked the "rebel" in me. He knew that people
capable of expressing themselves would come through in "critical moments".
Herb also had a sense of humor that would equal any of his peers. This is
why he could laugh at himself and with others. To this day I keep a messy
desk; just in case he walks in. He would quickly organize it for me and we
would have a good laugh.
The intangibles are as important as the book learning, because
intangibles are a necessary component in the success of an individual. Herb
proved that there are people out there who can contribute to the total
growth of your child beyond the classroom setting. He was both book smart
and street smart. I don't know many people or players who could beat him on
the street.
When Herb's father passed away, we were at the New York Ranger training
camp in Rye, NY. He asked me to go for a walk. We sat and talked on a park
bench for a long time. When it was time to go back he said, "Gringo, call
your Father and Mother and tell them you love them."
Sometimes we think that the things that are happening to us don't happen
to everyone else at some point. It's hard for us, and the people around us,
to accept our 'special circumstance' as the product of an unfair society or
life. Hard times give us the opportunity to reflect on the good things and
grow. As difficult and harsh as it appears, we need to honor the situation
and turn our thoughts to the future with resolve. We need to remove the
obstacles that prevent us from a daily critiquing of our lives, so we can
move toward being a detailed person that cares about others while in the
process of building our lives and maximizing our potential. Herb was forever
doing this. He did what he was doing, what he did and what he was going to
do; and he did it all at the same time. His last phone call to me was
prodding me to help him develop a cut proof referees glove.
They say, "Love has two winners or no winners". In this case, I believe
there are thousands of winners; namely every kid, person and fellow coach
the man came in contact with. I wouldn't want to guess how many people owe
him to "Be as much as he believes you can be." This means you get up each
morning to be what you can be and not who you are. He did it and would
accept nothing less from his athletes or peers. It is human nature to get up
each morning to be who we are. What's wrong with someone prodding us to get
up each morning to be what we can be? Does this make him "distant" or
someone who cares?
I attended a Church By The Side Of The Road. This is the actual name of
the church I went to on March 2, 2003 in Seattle, Washington; a rather
unique and down to earth service.
This was an Interesting sermon to say the least; one that solidifies the
philosophy of our camp and our involvement with Herb and others.
The pastor said: "When we decide to bring someone into our lives we have to
provide unconditional love for that person; we have to share in all their
ups and downs."
My thoughts turned to teaching, coaching and Minnesota Hockey Camps. I
also had thoughts on scouting, pin pointing talent, evaluating talent and
ultimately drafting that talent. All of these jobs entail "bringing someone
into our lives and nurturing them so they might maximize their potential."
This could conceivably last a person's entire career or lifetime.
He went on to mention our responsibility to the people who become more
than just an acquaintance or companion, which includes our staff,
colleagues, campers and players on our reserve list.
The "key word" was nurture. We have to accept the fact that we share and
carry other peoples' burdens and problems; when someone is hurt physically
or mentally, we are all hurt.
He stressed being patient, humble, gentle, kind and show compassion while
working with them. In a sense these people in our lives go way past the
acquaintance and companion levels. They are closer to the "real friend"
level where we can go see them unannounced, pour out our heart and listen to
them pour out theirs. We have the responsibility to "corner them" and tell
them things they may not want to hear in addition to compliments. We have
the responsibility to provide meaningful experiences so they can grow.
I found it interesting that this pastor solidifies the very feelings and
responsibilities we have always felt about those around us.. He brought
meaning to the conversation Greg Malone and I had @ the Delta Hotel in
Calgary, Alberta on March 23, 2003. It was about the people we were working
with and the players we were responsible for.
He gave meaning to why I got so deeply involved with Herb Brooks, his
life, his teams and his camp. He always considered me "family" and showed me
unconditional love and respect.
He gave meaning to why Craig Patrick hired me when I felt a need to get
back to work and why people commit themselves to our camp and to the players
we come in contact with in our line of work during the winter months.
Craig Patrick's comment to me was, "Glad to have you back, Gringo; you're
family." This tells me why Herb and Craig had a winning relationship.
It took me back to a relationship that was innocently developed @ Bemidji
Hockey Camp many years ago. Craig was quick to show me unconditional love
and respect regardless of me just getting started in the game and only a
high school coach.
I have never forgotten this. These experiences, as well as observing how
my parents have always been "real givers" in life, has pretty much been the
foundation for how I feel while working for Herb, the Penguins and Minnesota
Hockey Camps.
It's all about people caring about people who mean something to each of
us for whatever reason.
I had a good morning this morning because I know I'm in the right line of
work for all the right reasons and I'm grateful for the relationships and
all I have in life; especially Herb Brooks. I'm a lucky guy!
Thank God that my family and our camp got to enjoy his talents over an
extended period of time that will last forever. We will miss him, but we are
all going to be better human beings because of him. We have a relationship
that the late Vince Lombardi called "Love".
The entire world should know how we felt about Herb Brooks. We can all
learn a lesson from it. We will all hold ourselves to a higher standard
because Herb "raised the bar". He didn't spend a lot of time with people who
failed to "raise the bar" after he had the opportunity to meet and spend
time with them.
As I write about Herb I do so with the intention of being able to change
the name when the situation calls for it. If every person took the
challenge, and lived much of what I wrote about Herb, there would be a lot
of churches full on judgment day. This would be more than enough to realize
that our time spent on earth was as gratifying and fulfilling as possible.
Because of him, I will "raise the bar" the rest of my life.
Peace of Mind comes from knowing you overachieved in your asset
categories and did something for someone who can never repay you. Herb has
Peace of Mind!
Ole Gringo, an Iron Range Hockey Man who developed a relationship with a
Hockey Man from Payne Avenue. I was one of those guys who learned how to
"work a practice". Herb was adamant about working practices and working the
bench. He said, "Anyone can run a practice; it takes a real mentor to work a
practice."
Chuck Grillo
Personal Friend, Pittsburgh Penguins Scout, Former Teacher and Coach, and
President/Owner of Minnesota Hockey Camps; Founded by Herb Brooks |
