Working in the Corners: Kelly Sharp
By Kelly Sharp
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 03:50 AM
He articulates his experience in junior hockey as if he is twice his age.
Thirty-six year-old Mike Hawes was introduced to junior hockey when he was only sixteen years of age. From Prince George minor hockey to Spokane of the Western Hockey League, a huge jump, never mind beginning your junior hockey days in another country.
“You grow up quick,” said Hawes, an excellent billet family kept me grounded.”
He scored 24 goals for the 1986-87 Spokane Chiefs, a team led by Brent Gilchrest who went on to play 15 NHL seasons. Another of Hawes’ teammates, Travis Green, is still playing in the National Hockey League.
After one hockey season away from his home town, Mike Hawes was introduced to the business side of junior hockey.
Pack your bags kid you're on a new team.
Traded from Spokane to the New Westminster Bruins as a 17 year-old, Hawes was on the final WHL team to call the Royal City home. He played alongside another Prince George minor hockey product in Sean Lebrun and a future NHLer by the name of Stu Barnes who is now close to 1,000 games skated in the National Hockey League.
Transferred to the state of Washington, the Bruins became the Tri-City Americans in the fall of 1988. Looking forward to his first season in a new WHL city lasted but six games.
“My old GM wanted me back,” laughed Hawes.
The Prince George forward was traded to his original team- the Spokane Chiefs. He scored 40 goals in his final WHL season.
“I really think back then players were treated more as a commodity than a person,” said Hawes, who is into his second season as the volunteer associate coach with the Prince George Spruce Kings
“Parents are way more involved with their son’s hockey future than they were when I played junior,” he said.
“It’s really less-business like. We along with the parents try to assess what is best for their kids, allowing them to choose whether it’s the Major Junior or Junior A route.”
Mike Hawes has been a youth supervisor in the Prince George custody service for 15 years. He has seen many sides of youth but when it comes to junior hockey Hawes is quick to praise the dedication of today’s junior aged player.
“Nowadays players are way more committed, there is such a difference compared to my junior years,” he said.
Hawes wondered aloud what might have been if he had shown that committment during his junior days. He scored 102 goals in 3 WHL seasons but admitted he was not easy to coach.
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
