"The guy who built this place [the Kanata Centrum] should be shot."
I've just finished reading Roger's World by Wayne Scanlan, a book about the life of Roger Neilson. The book was a very enjoyable read and I found it fascinating to learn more about the impact Roger Neilson had in the world. Roger Neilson is probably the man who has contributed the most to the game of hockey in the last century. Because of him, coaches use video footage to coach their teams, statistics such as face-off percentages, player ice-time and scoring chances are recorded. Roger was the first coach to use these tools. He is famous for creating the towel waving phenomenon in arena, because of he used a towel on a hockey stick to indicate surrender to the officials. Roger exploited the rules of hockey, having a goaltender leave his stick in front of the net as he skated off for the extra attacker and thus preventing a goal. He put a defenceman in the net instead of the goalie for a penalty shot, both acts are now illegal. Roger coached 9 different NHL teams, for a combined total of 1,000 games. He is a member of both the Order of Canada and the Hockey Hall of Fame. He brought the Canucks through a fairytale season to a near Stanley Cup, he coach the Florida Panthers in their first season and made them the most successful expansion club ever. He coached the Peterbourgh Petes to a Memorial Cup but does not have a Stanley Cup to his credit despite playing a minor role in the 1984 Edmonton franchise. However despite his impressive hockey credentials Roger's is best known for what he did outside of the NHL.
Roger was a friend and mentor to many, he was always willing to take the time to talk to people he gave generously. He began coaching at the age of 17, both hockey and baseball teams. He had a heart for not only be successful on the playing field but off as well. He brought out the talents of kids and formed relationships with them, he would visit them at their homes and take them on trips to see major league ball games. As a teacher he taught many of the kids he coached and for some they credit the mentorship of Roger to keeping them out of jail. As Roger working in Peterborough in the OHL and began to coach professionally, he still coached kids. After professional hockey made it impossible for Roger to coach the kids he still spent time with them, playing street hockey and inviting them to his cottage. He maintained his friendship and mentorship of main of these kids as they grew up. He took these people on trips all over North America and the world or down the waterways in his boat. For 16 years he had an annual Hawaii trip which he many of his friends to.
Roger created a kids camp and had brought kids he was close to out for the summer from the other side of the country. He had staff and friends stay at his house rent free and provided steak dinners to all the staff at the camp each Saturday during the night. He brought hockey to Israel talking NHL pros to teach hockey in the one ice rink in all of Israel. Roger was always there for others, caring for them more than themselves.
Roger was a devout Christian, but didn't force his faith on anyone. He did however take his kids teams to church on Sunday if they were away on a tournament. One thing that really impressed me was that despite how busy Roger kept himself, many times running on four hours of sleep, he still made time everyday to read his Bible, had Bible Study once a week and avoided work as much as possible on Sundays. He made sure he had time for God. Roger lived his faith, in his generosity, his philanthropy and his dedication to those around him. He would never speak ill of everyone.
Roger's last job was for the Ottawa Senators as an assistant coach for 3 years from 2000 -2003 after being fired from his head coaching position in Philadelphia for getting cancer. They were his best years in the NHL and they were his last years. Ottawa came close to winning the Stanley Cup in 2003, it would have been Roger's first but despite a comback from 3-1 series deficit to New Jersey and forcing a 7th game, Ottawa lost in the Conference final. It was in Ottawa the team and community embraced him and cared for him as he under went his cancer treatment he coached his 999th and 1000th game in Ottawa when the coach stepped aside so he could. He died on June 21st 2003. In his memory Roger's House was created, a palliative care home for children here in Ottawa.
Even before I read the book I would consider Roger one of my heros for his attitude throughout his cancer, his dedication to the Senators during his illness and his unselfish attitude. Having read his story I look forward to meeting him one day in heaven and telling him how his story has inspired me to live for God and to remember to care for others and the impact one person can have on another's life.
Roger was a friend and mentor to many, he was always willing to take the time to talk to people he gave generously. He began coaching at the age of 17, both hockey and baseball teams. He had a heart for not only be successful on the playing field but off as well. He brought out the talents of kids and formed relationships with them, he would visit them at their homes and take them on trips to see major league ball games. As a teacher he taught many of the kids he coached and for some they credit the mentorship of Roger to keeping them out of jail. As Roger working in Peterborough in the OHL and began to coach professionally, he still coached kids. After professional hockey made it impossible for Roger to coach the kids he still spent time with them, playing street hockey and inviting them to his cottage. He maintained his friendship and mentorship of main of these kids as they grew up. He took these people on trips all over North America and the world or down the waterways in his boat. For 16 years he had an annual Hawaii trip which he many of his friends to.
Roger created a kids camp and had brought kids he was close to out for the summer from the other side of the country. He had staff and friends stay at his house rent free and provided steak dinners to all the staff at the camp each Saturday during the night. He brought hockey to Israel talking NHL pros to teach hockey in the one ice rink in all of Israel. Roger was always there for others, caring for them more than themselves.
Roger was a devout Christian, but didn't force his faith on anyone. He did however take his kids teams to church on Sunday if they were away on a tournament. One thing that really impressed me was that despite how busy Roger kept himself, many times running on four hours of sleep, he still made time everyday to read his Bible, had Bible Study once a week and avoided work as much as possible on Sundays. He made sure he had time for God. Roger lived his faith, in his generosity, his philanthropy and his dedication to those around him. He would never speak ill of everyone.
Roger's last job was for the Ottawa Senators as an assistant coach for 3 years from 2000 -2003 after being fired from his head coaching position in Philadelphia for getting cancer. They were his best years in the NHL and they were his last years. Ottawa came close to winning the Stanley Cup in 2003, it would have been Roger's first but despite a comback from 3-1 series deficit to New Jersey and forcing a 7th game, Ottawa lost in the Conference final. It was in Ottawa the team and community embraced him and cared for him as he under went his cancer treatment he coached his 999th and 1000th game in Ottawa when the coach stepped aside so he could. He died on June 21st 2003. In his memory Roger's House was created, a palliative care home for children here in Ottawa.
Even before I read the book I would consider Roger one of my heros for his attitude throughout his cancer, his dedication to the Senators during his illness and his unselfish attitude. Having read his story I look forward to meeting him one day in heaven and telling him how his story has inspired me to live for God and to remember to care for others and the impact one person can have on another's life.