An interview with my inner self

By Randy Russon
May 8, 2015
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The hockey writer in me spends a lot of time talking to myself.

I ask myself a lot of questions and I answer them truthfully.

In a rare public interview with my inner self, here are the answers to some of the questions as they pertain to junior hockey.

QUESTION: As someone who is closely involved with hockey on the inside, do you have your own agenda?

ANSWER: Yes I do. And so does every single person who I have ever met in the game.

QUESTION: Do you play favourites?

ANSWER: Yes I do. And so does every single person who I have ever met in the game.

QUESTION: Let’s talk rivalry and look ahead to the 2015-2016 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League season when the Iroquois Falls Eskimos are playing the nearby Timmins Rock. Who will you be cheering for?

ANSWER: The good guys.

QUESTION: You have had past differences with NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca. How is your relationship with him now?

ANSWER: Really good. I hope it stays that way. Rob and I are both opinionated and we stand our ground. There is a mutual respect for the jobs that we have. We have aired our differences, publicly and privately. I am sure that we will disagree again. But it’s what we do next that matters.

QUESTION: Michigan Soo Eagles are poised to return to the NOJHL after three years in the North American Hockey League. What does this mean?

ANSWER: It restores the torrid, cross-border rivalry with the Soo Thunderbirds. Some of the best junior hockey games that I have seen in years were between the Eagles and Thunderbirds during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. It also gives the NOJHL another strong franchise with good ownership and good management.

QUESTION: What is the best part of being at a Soo Eagles game at venerable Pullar Stadium?

ANSWER: The $2.50 beers.

QUESTION: Let’s talk Ontario Hockey League. How surprised were you that the favoured Soo Greyhounds lost to the Erie Otters in the Western Conference finals?

ANSWER: I was shocked. As did many others, I thought the Greyhounds had the much-better team.

QUESTION: Do you think the Greyhounds were out-coached by Erie?

ANSWER: No. I think Erie out-skated and out-chanced the Soo.

QUESTION: Do you think goaltending cost the Greyhounds the series?

ANSWER: No. Brandon Halverson was not the reason the Greyhounds lost the series. The Otters won because they clearly out-played the Greyhounds over a six-game series.

QUESTION: On a personal level, what do you think of the legendary Sherry Bassin, who owns and manages the Erie Otters?

ANSWER: I have known Sherry for more than 35 years. And when he tells me it’s a nice day outside, I make sure I have a clear view of the window so I can see for myself.