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Fine Dining in Kanata’s Distinctive Heritage Building
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In This Issue
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
JASON YORK We caught up with Jason to discuss his career in the NHL, becoming a broadcaster, and being a proud father.
JOSH NORRIS Sens forward Josh Norris talks about his path to the National Hockey League, and what's ahead in 2022.
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CLAIRE HANNA A former Team Canada Volleyball pro, Claire Hanna discusses her journey to media and how she's enjoying The Capital.
IAN MENDES
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In 1994, Ian Mendes moved to Ottawa with one suitcase and a backpack to pursue a career in journalism. He always planned to head home after his degree, but 20 years later, he’s still here; with his wife Sonia, his two daughters, and a long career in sports media.
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Ottawa's former Leaf has taken on a new role in the organization, as a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He talks about his own experiences, and how he's fighting for change at the pro-level.
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In This Issue
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
GARRY GALLIMORE On his basketball career, starting TrenchLife Apparel, and working alongside his brother to take their company to the next level.
NINA KRAKOWSKY Nina is one of Tracy Arnett Realty Ltd Brokerage's top agents. She shares her journey to Real Estate, her industry insights, and her best advice for homebuyers.
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PATRICIA BOAL Ottawa-born Patricia Boal on her journey to the news desk, family life, and her best advice.
JP SAXE Shares his rise to fame, and takes a deep dive into his new, debut album.
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CONTENTS 4
GENIUS HACKS FOR YOUR WINTER CLOTHING PROBLEMS
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4 DOG FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS FOR WINTER WALKS IN OTTAWA
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It's often a challenge to find dog friendly destinations in the cold winter months. Here are some of the best places in Ottawa to embrace winter with your furry friend.
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January/February 2022 - Volume 71 FIND FACES Faces Magazine is distributed bi-monthly and offered free at select locations across Ottawa and in cities across Eastern Ontario. Full issues are also available online. Faces Magazine is a non-traditional print medium with a strong brand presence on social media.
Editor In Chief Evan Childerhose Publisher Justin MacKinnon Hank’s Paw Publishing (A Division of 8624771 Canada Inc.) Art Director Sonia Mehour Operations Manager Courtney Wheeler
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Contributors Alex Feeney Steve Bunda Catheryn Risto Morris Miller Corey Stone Christopher Lord Alex Dobsky Jonathan Rock Dan Lalande Maija Stevenson Tayna Gautier Meaghan Vincent Steve Warne Max Polizi Kate Wright Todd Hamilton Stewart Clarke Liam Fox Ryan Bova Trevor McIssac Kenzie Harrison Connor Khonick Shiyao Liu Jordan Palleck Gary Cassidy Jennifer Marwick Guillaume Dubois Allison Dupuis Trever MacIsaac Ryan Bova Kenzie Harrison Dave Rock
Contributing Photographers Cover Photo: Sean Sisk John E. Sokolowski Jana Chytilova Andre Ringuette Connor Armstrong Taylor Condon Peter Wright Yana Klaiz Lucas Short
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MOVIE RELEASES
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JANUARY HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS MONTH
Vote For The 2022 Ottawa rd Awards,
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Presented by Mattamy Homes on January through to January 28th, at
MORBIUS Jared Leto plays Dr. Michael Morbius, a doctor with a terminal disease that is killing him fast. After trying an experimental ‘bat-bite’ remedy, the doctor slowly turns into Morbius, a half-human, half inhuman being.
It's National Clean Your Desk Day on January
SHATTERED In 2022’s earliest psychological thriller, a young professional meets a mysterious woman in the grocery store and asks her on a date. During their night out, Chris is attacked in what seems to be a crime of opportunity. But later, Chris discovers that his date is behind the violence, and that he’s in much deeper trouble than he first thought.
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Did You Know?
A study from Princeton University Neuroscience Institute using an fMRI showed that our brains can focus more easily when clutter is reduced. So, cleaning your desk actually can lead to improved productivity.
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J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y
Celebrate National Use Your Gift Cards Day
on January
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THE TENDER BAR
In this coming of age story, JR (Tye Sheridan) grows up in a low-income neighbourhood with no father, but plenty of support from his quirky family. He wants to be a writer, and his Uncle (Ben Affleck), becomes his first supporter, helping him navigate the realities of life while inspiring him to shoot for the stars. Director George Clooney also cast Chris Lloyd and Lily Rabe in this charming and explorative feel-good.
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This day serves as a reminder rather than a celebration for over 20% of the population who doesn’t spend their gift cards within the first 6 months.
3 SURPRISING STATS ON GIFT CARDS 1. About 19% of active gift cards are currently unused, and 6% will never be redeemed.
2. On average, shoppers who visit a store to spend a gift card will purchase $59 in additional goods. 3. Shoppers using a gift card are 2.5x more likely to pay full price for an item.
Dennis Quaid and Queen Latifah star in this adaption of the best-selling novel by the same name: a coming-of-age story that follows two young children who are caring for a caged tiger in their small Kentucky town.
Source, NCFA Canada
Celebrate National Green Juice Day on January
TIGER RISING
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Why a whole day for this healthy hack? Juicing is an easy way to get a dose of super-concentrated nutrients and antioxidants. In just one glass, you can get your entire daily serving of vegetables, and a killer natural boost of energy. AN EASY GREEN JUICE RECIPE FOR BEGINNERS & SKEPTICS 1 Apple 1 Small Bunch of Kale 1 Medium Cucumber 2 Celery 1-Inch Peeled Ginger Root 1 Lime (Halved, not peeled) Makes 1 cup in a juicer.
THE REQUIN A couple with a newborn baby travel to an extravagant vacations destination: a floating hotel. But the vacation is abruptly interrupted by a terrible storm that destroys their cabin and sends them adrift. After days with no rescue, no food, and injuries, they are noticed by a massive shark.
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MOVIE RELEASES
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FEBRUARY HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS MONTH
DOG A soldier (Channing Tatum) is down on his luck after being suspended from his duties. His one way back? Take Luna, a service dog who doubles as a war hero, to her owner’s funeral. Luna is vicious and untamable to anyone who comes near her, and it will take a lot of patience, trust, and self-reflection to get this task done in this feel-good comedy.
Celebrate National Dark Chocolate Day on February st
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Not all chocolate lovers enjoy dark chocolate, but it is still the original chocolate (around for over 3,000 years) the ‘healthier’ counterpart to Milk Chocolate. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and iron, among other nutrients.
3 Surprising Facts About Dark Chocolate 1. Other names for Dark Chocolate include Dark Black Chocolate, Plain Chocolate, and Sour Chocolate.
MARRY ME Jennifer Lopez plays a pop star who plans to stream her marriage to her long-time celebrity boyfriend in front of millions. Just before they hit the stage, a video of his infidelity surfaces. In a kneejerk reaction, she ‘marries’ someone from the audience, a math teacher played by Owen Wilson. Stuck with their mistake, and from two very different lives, the two try to take a page out of each other’s book to navigate the problems in their lives.
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2. Most chocolate today is a mix of cocoa, sugar, and chocolate liqueur (among other ingredients), to keep the product sweeter. If you’re looking for true dark chocolate, always aim for a minimum of 70% cocoa solids. Anything less will contain similar amounts of sugar as regular chocolate, and may simply ‘taste’ darker. 3. 2 ounces of dark chocolate have about half the amount of caffeine as a small cup of coffee.
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February is Valentine's Day
Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, and John Bradley star in 2022’s earliest space thriller. The team is sent to fight an evil force that lives on the Dark Side of the Moon, one that threatens to wipe out the planet, and is causing seismic chaos on earth.
Did You Know?
Celebrate National Retro Day
On February
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Studies report 68% of Canadians are true romantics who consider this day as more than just a “silly holiday”. And with that, the average Canadian spends $200 on Valentine’s Day. Among the most popular Valentine’s Day-related gifts, according to eBay Canada, are celebrity-inspired makeup, Rolex watches, and athleisure apparel. Unsurprisingly, this report also notes that this is the busiest time of year for diamonds.
UNCHARTED Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg star in this action-packed adventure movie that blends James Bond with Indian Jones in 2022. The pair set out to look for a longlost treasure, and are met with dangerous enemies along the way.
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Ready to feel old? Here’s what’s classified as Retro in 2022: Retro Between 20 and 40 years old: 1982 - 2002 Vintage Between 40 and 100 years old: 1922 - 1982 Antique Over 100 years old: 1922 and beyond.
AMBULANCE Jake Gyllenhaal and Will Sharp make plans to rob a bank, as a repayment of the disservices they’ve suffered by their country. Things go wrong, and they flee from a line of cops and special forces in an ambulance. The only problem: the ambulance is carrying an injured cop, who needs to go to the hospital.
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When Josh Norris was selected 19th overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2019, he never expected to be traded, let alone one of the main parts in a franchise-altering deal. Norris was acquired by the Ottawa Senators after they sent star defenceman, Erik Karlsson, to the Stanley Cup-aspiring San Jose Sharks. After being shocked by the trade, Josh started looking at the positives of being wanted by another organization. After deciding to leave Michigan to turn pro with the Belleville Senators, Norris was named to the All-Rookie Team and a First Team All-Star after scoring 31 goals that year. In his first full season with the Ottawa Senators, Josh tallied 17 goals with 18 assists for 35 points in 56 games, once again finding himself on the All-Rookie Team. Norris has established himself as the Sens 1st line centre and is one of the top goal scorers on the team.
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Josh grew up in Germany watching his dad, Dwayne, play for the Cologne Sharks and Frankfurt Lions in the DEL. After a few years, their family moved home to Michigan where Josh would play his minor hockey while being coached by his father. When it came time to decide where Josh would play his collegiate hockey, he chose to stay close to home at the University of Michigan. It was a special moment for his whole family, especially his mom (Traci) and brothers (Dalton and Coale) when he was taken by the Sharks in the 2019 draft. We sat down with Josh to talk about his time in Germany, representing the United States at the Junior level, and his journey to becoming a full-time Ottawa Senator.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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You spent time in Germany as a child while your dad was playing and managing over there. What was that like for you? It was great. I really enjoyed living over there. It's definitely another world compared to living in the United States or Canada, but I really enjoyed it and I know both my brothers enjoyed it a lot too. We loved the German culture, we learned to speak German. We kind of learned to play hockey over there, too. I have a lot of memories of going to my dad's games and going on the ice with him and his teammates. So a lot of good memories from there and I'm glad that it was part of my journey. When you moved back to North America, your dad became your coach. What was that like to have him guide you through your minor hockey years? It was great. I think he was my coach for three, maybe four years when I was younger. Once I hit 14 or 15, he kind of moved me along to another coach. I was fortunate to have him play a part in my development when I was younger, I think that was critical for me. He instilled a work ethic in me and I'm just thankful that I was able to have some great memories with him. From growing up, winning championships, being able to go in the room with him every day, and having long car rides with him, I had a lot of fun. Why did you choose to commit to the University of Michigan? Your dad went to the rival Michigan State. How was that decision taken by your dad? Yeah, it was a decision that I thought about for quite a bit. I was young when I made it, but it was good to have my mom, dad, and some other people help me make the decision. It was a hard decision. My dad had a great career at Michigan State and my parents met there, but I think I wanted to be able to make my own decision. I wanted to go my 22 | FACES MAGAZINE
own route and create my path. At the time, Michigan had such a good hockey program and it wasn't too far from home either. So I'm really glad that I chose Michigan.
Take me back to draft day. You’re taken 19th Overall 2019 by the San Jose Sharks. What was that like?
It was so fun. Every kid dreams How special was it for you to of getting drafted and everyone represent the United States at the wants to go on the first round. More U17, U18, and World Juniors? importantly, it was a fun day for my family. It was so special to have family and friends - I think I had 40 or 50 It meant a lot. I was fortunate enough to play for the U.S. Develop- people there - my grandparents and everyone that's helped me along the ment program for two years when I way. It was in Chicago, which isn't played junior hockey. After, I got to play in two World Juniors for the US, too far from my hometown, only about a four-hour drive. We had a which is a dream come true. Those tournaments are always a lot of fun fun time and I’m really thankful for what happened. and there’s so much talent at those tournaments. I know everybody on Not long after that, you were the U.S. team takes a lot of pride in part of a huge trade that sent Eric being able to play for their country Karlsson to San Jose. What was on the big stage. I cherish those that like for you? Do you rememmemories. ber getting the call?
“IT'S A FAIRLY BIG CITY, BUT IT FEELS LIKE A SMALLER CITY. YOU CAN JUST TELL OTTAWA’S A HOCKEY TOWN WHERE EVERYBODY LOVES THE TEAM, WANTS TO SEE US HAVE SUCCESS, AND THE PEOPLE ARE VERY NICE AND FRIENDLY. EVERYONE’S VERY SUPPORTIVE OF US AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.”
Oh yeah, I definitely remember it, that was a crazy day. I was 19, so I was still fairly young and I had no idea that I was going to get traded. It was definitely a shock when Doug Wilson called me and told me. It was a weird day, but, I got a taste of the business side of the game early and I think that was good for me. I've had a blast since I've been in Ottawa. I started in Belleville and made my way up here. I think we're putting something special together and I’m super fortunate to be here. When you were at the World Juniors, you suffered a shoulder injury during that tournament and went on to win silver. How difficult was that for you? When I injured my shoulder in game three or four, I kind of knew I was going to have to get surgery. But, it was good enough for me to finish the rest of the tournament. It sucked not winning a gold medal but silver’s something to be proud of. Injuries are part of the game. It was just unfortunate that it happened to me at that moment.
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J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y Right after that, you decided to leave the University of Michigan and turn pro. Was that a difficult decision to make? I think the surgery that I had for my shoulder played a part in that decision. It was hard because I missed half of that season after the World Juniors and was deciding whether or not to go back to school for my third year or to turn pro. I had good people around me to help me make those decisions and ultimately just felt, for my hockey career, it was the best time to turn pro. I stuck with my gut and went down to Belleville. I learned so much from the coaching staff and we had such a good group with all the young guys down there. I came up with Drake and a few other guys so, I’m really happy with my decision. It's just part of my path. Did you know anything about Ottawa before you came here? No, not really, I'd never been here before. I knew that Ottawa always had really good teams and they had a great fan base, things like that, but I didn't really know too much about it. I think we're trying to build something special here and we have a great core group to do so. You had 31 goals in your first year with Belleville. What was the adjustment like for you playing pro hockey? At the start, it was a little bit difficult. With my shoulder, I hadn't played in seven months, and I didn't have confidence in my shoulder. Ultimately, that affects your whole game. It took me a little bit longer to get going than I would’ve liked, but I guess that was just part of the process. The staff down there believed in me right from the get-go and gave me an opportunity. Once I got the ball rolling, I never really looked back. That was probably the most important development year for me as a player and I think that's why I'm having success right now. That year in Belleville was some of the most fun I've ever had playing hockey, but it also helped me developmentally, not only as a player but as a person too. It was really good for me to go through that process. Once you arrived in Ottawa, you lived with Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. What was that like? It was unique (laughs). For me and Timmy, it was our first full season in the NHL. Brady was kind enough to have us both live with him. Looking back on it, we had a ton of fun. We enjoyed being in each other's company. We weren't able to go out for dinners or do any of that usual stuff during the pandemic, but I think it just made us come closer together. We have a good bond with each other and it was a lot of fun.
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Who was the messiest roommate of you 3? Oh, Timmy for sure (laughs). He was living in the basement of the house and we all had our own living area with a couch and TV. I guess maybe if I was down there, I would have done the same thing, but he was pretty messy. Chucky and I are pretty clean for the most part. How weird was it to play during the pandemic with no fans in attendance? It was really weird. I think we all got used to it, though. Once we started to get rolling halfway through the season, we felt the support from the fans and that was great. I wish that we could have had fans there during that time. It's nice to be back to normalcy. What do you like about Ottawa? It's a fairly big city, but it feels like a smaller city. You can just tell Ottawa’s a hockey town where everybody loves the team, wants to see us have success, and the people are very nice and friendly. Everyone’s very supportive of us and we appreciate that. It reminds me a lot of home to be honest with you. Detroit's a pretty decent-sized city, but at the same time, I think it feels smaller and there are really good people there. That's the most important thing.
“THAT WAS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT YEAR FOR ME AS A PLAYER AND I THINK THAT'S WHY I'M HAVING SUCCESS RIGHT NOW. THAT YEAR IN BELLEVILLE WAS SOME OF THE MOST FUN I'VE EVER HAD PLAYING HOCKEY, BUT IT ALSO HELPED ME DEVELOPMENTALLY, NOT ONLY AS A PLAYER BUT AS A PERSON TOO. IT WAS REALLY GOOD FOR ME TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.” FACES MAGAZINE | 25
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What's your game-day routine like?
JOSH NORRIS
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I'm not too superstitious, I try to keep things loose with a typical pregame nap. I'll have some toast with Nutella, I guess that's one of my only superstitions, but nothing crazy. My life motto is just to keep things loose and have fun - not be so serious. What do you love so much about this Ottawa Senators team?
I think we have a solid group and some great leaders in the locker room. On the ice, we have some really good hockey players too, we have a lot of young guys and that's a lot of fun to all come up together. At the same time, we have some great leadership, guys who have been in the league for long periods, and that helps when we're going through tough stretches. I think the future is bright. Who are the best and worst dressed guys on the team?
The worst dressed, if we're talking casually, it's probably Brady. He doesn't care what he looks like. He'll wake up and wear crocs to the rink with sweatpants. Which is fine, he just doesn't really care about the style portion of it. Chabot’s pretty well dressed and I would probably say Formenton as well... He's got expensive but good taste. Who’s the funniest teammate? Nick Paul, for sure. What do you like to do on your days off?
Lately, I've been I've watching Ted Lasso, which is a funny TV show. I love watching TV shows - more comedy or funny things.
What other sports do you like to follow? Did you look up to any non-hockey athletes growing up? My favorite athlete was probably Derek Jeter. I played baseball growing up and was a shortstop as well. I wore number 2, I think I batted leadoff or the second hitter, which was what he did, so I always thought I was like Derek Jeter growing up. He's probably my favorite athlete outside of hockey... besides Tom Brady, because he's a Michigan guy.
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You have two brothers, Dalton and Coale. Who's the most competitive out of you three?
That's a tough one. I think we're all super competitive. Especially in the summer when we're all home together playing golf, we all try to beat each other’s score. My younger brother will have played and he's like, “I shot a 77,” so then I’d go out the next time to try to beat his score. It's so fun, I think we're all super competitive and I'm really lucky to have them as brothers, they’re the best. Do you have any talents that nobody knows about? I'm a pretty good drawer so I like to do that sometimes. I speak German too. What’s your most memorable New Year’s Eve?
My first World Juniors was in Buffalo and one of the games was outdoors at New Era Field. There must have been 40 or 50, 000 people there, it was unbelievable and so much fun. It was snowing a ton too and we ended up winning the game in a shootout. I think Brady actually scored the shootout winner. I had all my family and my brothers there, so that was a cool moment around New Year’s Eve. What advice would you give to young hockey players?
I would say to have as much fun as you can and always believe in yourself. No matter what route you take, I think there are always going to be ups and downs, but just try to have as much fun with that as you can. Try to laugh at yourself and enjoy the process. I'm obviously very fortunate to be able to play hockey for a living and I don't take that for granted. I just try to have as much fun as I can, when I’m at the rink every day. @joshnorris10
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4 DOG FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS FOR WINTER WALKS IN OTTAWA
BERYL GAFFNEY PARK A great spot to walk your dog along the water and through trails, Manotick's Beryl Gaffney Park is near the intersection of Prince of Wales Drive and Rideau Valley Drive. The trails offer multiple views and access points to the Rideau River, and it's a great and quiet spot to spend an afternoon with your dog.
It's often a challenge to find dog friendly destinations in the cold winter months. Here are some of the best places in Ottawa to embrace winter with your furry friend.
HEART'S DESIRE Barrhaven Barrhaven's Heart Desire Park offers an urban hike that is easy to access and easy to walk. The area also links to lots of spots to explore along the Rideau and the smaller Jock River. The park has an off-leash area for dogs too.
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DEEVY PINES PARK A great spot if you're looking for some well-maintained trails to walk your dog in the west end, Deevy Pines Park offers a quick-toget-to walk in the woods.
CARLINGTON PARK A popular spot for tobogganing in the winter, you and your dog can break away to finds me great views of the city, or meet other dogs in the off-leash area. Smaller trails offer forest views.
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Building a career, finding a purpose, and balancing everything in between. In 1994, Ian Mendes moved to Ottawa with one suitcase and a backpack to pursue a career in journalism. He left behind the west coast and the pacific ocean to study at Carleton, the only program of its kind at the time. He always planned to head home after his degree, but 20 years later, he’s still here; with his wife Sonia, and two daughters Elissa and Lily. He’s also got a decorated career in sports media under his belt. Ian has spent the last 20 years working for Sportsnet, TSN 1200, and is currently writing for the Athletic. During his time in
Ottawa, he’s volunteered for the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Roger Neilson House, Cheo Foundation, ManUp Inspire Program, and Capital City Condors. As a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, he never misses a game, unless it’s to coach his daughter’s ringette team. We sat down with Ian Mendes to discuss his journey from Vancouver to Ottawa, his memories of covering the Ottawa Senators, and why his work with CHEO holds such importance to his family.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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You were born and raised in Vancouver. What was that like? I love Vancouver. Especially as a sports fan. What people don't understand is that west coast sporting events are the best. Hockey games at 4 pm, football games at 10 am. Most people who grow up on the west coast, stay on the west coast. It’s very rare to find people who go from the Pacific Ocean to the Rideau Canal. I go back to Vancouver, if I'm lucky, once or twice a year. I love it. It feels like home, but not like Ottawa. Vancouver will always have a special place in my heart. Getting the chance to grow up there, I wouldn't trade it. You went to Carleton for journalism. What brought you to Ottawa? What made you want to get into broadcasting?
But I can tell you, I’ve lived here for 25 years, and it's anything but that. I love it. There are great outdoor spaces, the canal, the parkway, there's so much to do. I think it's probably the best place in Canada to raise kids, because you get the amenities of the big city, but it kind of feels like a safe, small town. You've worked in television, radio, and now as a writer. What’s it been like to transition through all 3 jobs? I go back to my time at Sportsnet, I loved it. I truly loved it. I got to do everything I ever wanted to do in television. Covering the Stanley Cup, World Series, Olympics, all the cool things that I wanted to do growing up, but I knew that the schedule wasn't conducive to having a family, so I decided to leave.
I think like a lot of people, you get to a point when you're 15 or 16 years old, where you realize that you’re probably not going to play in the MLB or the NHL. I was a kid who grew up watching Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday night and knew that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to get into sports media. I didn't know if I wanted to be on TV or be a writer or what I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted to do it. At the time, in the mid-’90s, the only place you could go in Canada was Carleton University. I was 17 and had to make a decision: Do I leave my friends and my family to come out here? So I did, I came here with one suitcase and a backpack. I laugh, because I think my plan was always to come here for four years and then go back to Vancouver, and live the rest of my life on the West Coast. Now here I am, more than 25 years later, and I've got a lot more than just a suitcase or backpack. I have two daughters and a wife and can't imagine ever leaving.
Radio was so much fun. I think I had more fun on the radio than I did in TV because the radio allowed my personality to come out. Listeners could hear my terrible puns and my bad dad jokes. I felt like that was my real personality. I could talk about food, Saved by the Bell, as well as the Sens power-play. All of it would come out. I loved it.
What are some of your favourite things about Ottawa?
“My plan was always to come here for four years and then go back to Vancouver, and live the rest of my life on the West Coast. Now here I am, more than 25 years later, and I've got a lot more than just a suitcase or backpack. I have two daughters, a wife, and can't imagine ever leaving.”
The thing I love about Ottawa is that unless you're from here, you think it’s the town that fun forgot. My friends back home, and everyone else in other parts of the country, think it's the town that doesn't know how to have fun. But it's a great city. There’s a great restaurant and bar scene. If you go to the Glebe or Westboro or the ByWard Market, or to Elgin, it's a great place. There's great energy here that I think probably comes from having two universities, and a ton of young people. I think we get a really bad reputation. People think that this is some lame, boring government town. 32 | FACES MAGAZINE
Being a writer, it's only been a year. For me, I have to challenge myself. I don't want to just do the same thing for the rest of my life. I feel like I'm on the back nine. If we're playing a golf course, I'm suddenly on the 10th hole, and when you make the turn, you start to look at your life. You think, how did the front nine go? What are some of the things you want to accomplish? Being a writer was probably the last thing on my list, so when the opportunity came up to go be a writer I had to take it.
What are some memories that you have covering the Sens over the last 20+ years? I always look back with so much fondness for the early 2000 Senators teams. Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, Jacques Martin, Dany Heatley. That group treated me with so much respect. I still think I have good relationships with all those people. I feel like I can send Dany Heatley or Jacques Martin a text today, and they'll get back to me. I think that speaks to the relationship we built up, the trust factor. I always look back with such regret that that group didn't win the cup. Wade Redden, Chris Phillips, Mike Fisher, Alfie, and all those guys, deserved the cup. They were good enough to win a cup. They should have won a cup for this city and it just didn't fall their way. I have many fond memories covering those teams in the early 2000s that I think I'll probably carry for the rest of my life. TV, radio or writing, what was your most memorable interview? It’s one that I've done within the last year. I was fortunate enough to do a really long interview with Stephanie Richardson, Luke Richardson's wife, last year when the Habs went to the Stanley Cup final. Luke took over as the head coach for the Habs when Dominique Ducharme was in COVID-19 protocol, and The Athletic asked if I could do a definitive feature on Luke. I’ve been fortunate to know Luke and Steph for a long time. I phoned Stephanie and said we want to do a story about Luke and the DIFD movement (Luke had tapped the pin for DIFD when he was coaching and it got some traction). We had an interview and it was the most gutwrenching, emotional interview. She was bawling and crying during the interview. I somehow kept it together, hit stop on my recording app, and thanked her. Then I just bawled and cried to my wife. I think part of it is because we have a daughter that's the same age now that Daron Richardson was. Having kids, you really understand it. Speaking to somebody, parent to parent, was the hardest thing I ever wrote. I went and cried in my wife's arms. I'm like, I don't know how they did this. I don't know how she shared this with me. That's the hardest interview I've ever done. So if you're asking me, what's the most meaningful interview or conversation you've done, I think I would put Stephanie Richardson on the top of the list because she was so open in sharing her story with me. I'll always be forever touched by it.
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J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y You've always been at the forefront of so much community work, and you’re very family-oriented. Why is that? At the end of the day, they're not going to put my resume on my tombstone. When they put me six feet under, there's not going to be a tombstone that says, this guy worked at Sportsnet from 2002 to 2013 and then worked at TSN. It's going to say husband to Sonia, and father to Elissa and Lily. I've always carried that. At the end of the day, that's the only thing that matters. So when people ask me to describe myself, I honestly feel like being a sports reporter would be the fourth or fifth thing on the list. I try to have that perspective be my kind of guiding principle and I think that's led me to a lot of community work. When you have a daughter born needing brain surgery, nine days old, I think it opens up an empathy valve that makes you want to help. Our daughter’s life was saved at CHEO, so we said, we're going to spend the next 17 years doing CHEO fundraisers. Once we started doing CHEO fundraisers, we met the families at Roger Neilson House and Ronald McDonald House, and they asked us to volunteer. It was like, how do you not do that? So I'm very involved with both of those organizations. It's one of the things that I'm probably the proudest of. At the end of the day, I don’t want people to look at my career and think, man, that guy had the coolest or the best takes on the Ottawa Senators. What I want them to say is, that guy made our city better. That guy made our community better. That's it. I don't care about all the other stuff. I want to be the guy that made Ottawa a better place for my neighbours. One of your daughters started playing ringette, and now you’re the coach for that team. How fun has that been for you? Honestly, if you had asked me five or six years ago to name three things about ringette, I wouldn’t be able to. I didn't know anything. It’s funny, our youngest daughter asked me to put her into hockey. The irony of all of this is, I don't particularly love hockey culture. I know I work in it, but I don’t love it. Some people reached out to us and said if your daughter's interested in skating, we highly encourage ringette. I was like, ringette? I never thought of that. I won’t forget, I sat down with my daughter and I showed her a video on the internet. I'm like, would you be open to playing this? And I remember her asking if it’s just for girls. I yeah told her, yeah, and she said to sign her up. We signed her up when she was eight years old. This is her sixth year doing it and I just got hooked on it. I went from being this guy who didn't know anything about the sport, to being an assistant coach. It's given my daughter a ton of self-esteem. I think it reignited my love for sports. It's the best thing ever. If I had a job that offered me decent pay to coach ringette, every day of the week, I'd be gone. That's the thing that makes me the happiest. You’ve been married for over 20 years. How did you and your wife meet?
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phoning me on Valentine's Day, asking me to go for a drink. I laugh because when I look back, I don't know that I would’ve ever had the courage to ask her out. I was 19 years old and I liked her, but for me to be asked out by my fellow journalism student I was like okay, this is pretty good. At first, I wasn't quite sure what her intentions were, but I'm like, someone is asking you out on Valentine's Day… it’s probably pretty clear that they’re into you. We started dating shortly after and 25 years later, here we are with two kids and 20 years of marriage under our belt. Is Valentine's Day a special day for you and your wife because of that? It's funny, because I think we both laugh at that. It's a bit of a cheesy, Hallmark-induced holiday, but at the same time, it's the time we had our first date. It was 1996 and we went to Victoria’s in the Glebe, that's where we met. We mock it a little bit because it's cheesy, but at the same time, it’s our first date. So yeah, I think it probably holds a special place, and every Valentine's day we'll try and do something special that allows us to remember our first date. When you look at everything the Ottawa Senators did in 2021, where do you think this team is at? This is going to be a fascinating year for the Ottawa Senators. Patience is running thin in the market. I think being at the bottom of the standings, might be okay in April or May of this year, but we can't be having this conversation in late 2022. They can't be a bottom-feeding team like this again. This season, to me, is their last year of potentially being at the bottom. It's been an up and down year. Signing Brady Tkachuk to a contract extension, that's a huge story. I don't know that you're going to do anything in 2022 that’s bigger than signing a guy like Brady Tkachuk. So there were some positives last year, but this thing had better get turned around in a hurry so that when we get to September-October, the fans feel confident that this could be a playoff team, or in the mix. Finally, what advice would you give to young broadcasters looking to get into the industry? I get this question all the time. The number one thing I would say is, don't let your career be the thing that identifies you. I've always said a job is what you do, it's not who you are. I think too many people in the media industry confuse what they do with who they are. They think that they’re media people 24/7, or that their job is their identity. It's not. A job should be something you leave behind at 5 or 6 pm every day and then go do something much more impactful with your friends or your family. So, the number one piece of advice I would give to a student would be to just be yourself. Pursue the industry and the craft, but don't ever put it above friendships. Don't ever put it above your family or people that you love because at the end of the day, people love you back, but your job will never love you back.
@ian_mendes
We both went to Carleton’s journalism school and in the second year, we were in the same TV class. That's where we met and where we kind of started our relationship. I love to point out the fact that she asked me out. Our first date was her FACES MAGAZINE | 35
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Each recipe makes one.
TOAST TO THE NEW YEAR CHAMPAGNE MULE Ingredients: 1 oz. vodka 1 oz. fresh lime juice 2 oz. ginger beer Chilled champagne or sparkling dry wine
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Garnish: lime wedges, mint Directions: Mix vodka and lime juice in a glass, then top with 2 ounces ginger beer. Pour champagne over and add garnish.
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FRIDAY NIGHT IN FEBRUARY FRENCH PEAR MARTINI
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CABIN COCKTAILS FIRESIDE ESPRESSO MARTINI
Ingredients: 1 ½ oz. elderflower liqueur 1 ½ oz. pear vodka Chilled champagne or sparkling dry wine Garnish: sugar and 1 lemon slice (optional) Directions: Mix liquor and vodka in a shaker with ice for 15 seconds until chilled. Run a lemon wedge around a chilled martini glass and rim with sugar. Fine-strain shaker into glass, top with champagne, and garnish.
VALENTINE’S DATES CUPID’S COCKTAIL Ingredients: 1 ½ oz vodka 1 ½ oz passion fruit liqueur (or similar) 1 oz cranberry juice ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ oz simple syrup Prosecco Directions: Mix all ingredients, except Procecco, in a shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass, and top with Prosecco.
Ingredients: 1 ½ oz vodka (marshmallow flavoured preferred) 1 ½ oz espresso 1 oz ml toasted marshmallow syrup (preferred) ½ oz Kahlua Garnish: Marshmallows on skewers Directions: Mix vodka, espresso, syrup, and kahlua in a cocktail shaker. Shake thoroughly and stain into a cocktail glass. Place 2 marshmallows on a skewer, and use a lighter to toast slightly. Place across rim and enjoy. FACES FACESMAGAZINE MAGAZINE| |37 37
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GARRY GALLIMORE ON LIFE IN THE TRENCHES AND FIGHTING TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
Garry Gallimore is the Owner and Founder of TrenchLife Apparel. Growing up in Ottawa, Garry loved playing basketball. He spent time at Bell High School before switching to Woodroffe High, where he played ball competitively for the Ottawa Phoenix. Under coach Adrienne Coddette, Gallimore saw his game take off. He went on to play basketball at StFX University and won defensive player of the year there, twice.
Garry represented the Canadian National Team twice, and played professional basketball in Belgium and Romania. During these years, Gallimore fought to stay competitive in basketball, and that fight was his lifestyle. It was a concept he knew that other athletes related to, and one that Gallimore was inspired by. He started TrenchLife Apparel shortly after. He started small, by selling basketball shorts out of his trunk. Today, his brother, Dallas Cow-
Photography by Sean Sisk
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boy Neville Gallimore, is proudly the poster boy for the brand, and a big influence on the creative direction. The brand focuses mainly on lifestyle apparel, and hopes to resonate not just with athletes, but with anyone putting in the work to follow their dreams. We caught up with Garry to talk about his basketball career, starting TrenchLife Apparel, and working alongside his brother to take their company to the next level.
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J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y How did you get into basketball? Basketball was something I did as a pastime growing up. In grade 10, I moved from Bell High School to Woodroffe. One of my teachers, Adrienne Coddette, was also a basketball coach. She saw something in me. She encouraged me to try out for her competitive club team, Ottawa Phoenix, and I ended up playing all through high school. Why did you decide to attend StFX University? When it was time for me to look for a school, I had already made a name for myself across Ontario. Steve Konchalski, the StFX basketball coach came to check me out. I liked the history behind their program. He was also well-known in the basketball world, so I knew that he could help me reach my goals in the sport. I went to visit, liked what he was offering, and the rest is history. At StFX, you won defensive player of the year two times. What made you such a great defender? Like most people that pick up a basketball, you want to be the guy who scores points. Those are the guys that get all the attention. I thought I was that guy, until I went to try out for the Canadian junior team. Everybody was talented, super athletic, and had a lot of offensive attributes that made them outstanding. I knew the only way I was going to make the team, was to do something different. I wanted to make that team so bad that I locked in. I’d always match up against the top guys and made sure that they couldn’t score on me. That added to the notoriety of me being a tough competitor. I’m super competitive and don’t like being scored on, so rather than be a passive defender, I became aggressive. I was usually attacking people, keeping them on their heels, as opposed to being on mine. You earned the opportunity to represent the Canadian National team, winning a pair of bronze medals. How special was that for you? Initially, when I first got on the national team, I made it as a walk-on. Some friends of mine were trying out and asked me to tag along. When I got there I realized the opportunities that lay ahead. I dialled in. I did everything I possibly could to make sure I made
that team. There’s nothing better than traveling across the world, competing against other teams in places you’ve only heard of or read about. Representing Canada was very special. Having your name on the back of a jersey and your country on the front elevates your passion. That was a very special moment for me. You went from pro basketball in Europe to starting a clothing line. Where did the idea for TrenchLife Apparel come from? My first season playing overseas was in Liege, Belgium. It wasn’t my best go-around, and I realized a lot of weaknesses I had as a player. It was very disappointing, and I ended up taking some time off for personal reasons. When I was ready to start playing again, I met a guy in Ottawa who was from Romania. He was a big deal in the basketball community and was looking for players to go over there. I went there to prove to myself that I was still capable of playing. That was when the idea for TrenchLife came together for me. Because I had been out of the game for so long, I had to work twice as hard. Everything I did was about being in the trenches. About putting the work in so I could live my dreams. That mindset kept me motivated, and following that season I started thinking about how I could motivate or inspire other people. Being an athlete who loves clothes and shoes, I thought of a clothing line. Something that represents that same mindset, so that others could say ‘this speaks to me. This represents me.’ How did you first start selling your merchandise? I started by selling basketball shorts because I was playing at the time. I was selling them out of the trunk of my car and the response was good, a lot of people bought in. I continued to put out t-shirts and some sweatshirts. In 2016, I figured it was a good time to try and expand. I wanted to be more accessible, so we started our website. You brought up being into clothes and fashion. Was that something that was on your mind when you were playing? Absolutely. I can only speak to basketball players, but when you look at certain guys on the court, it’s a fashion statement. There’s that
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long-standing saying: “Look good, feel good, play good,” and that’s all about self-confidence. How you present yourself influences and affects your performance. That’s something we’re continuously thinking about in terms of how we design stuff. When someone puts on our clothing, I want them to be like, this is me. Who are some of the more stylish athletes in your mind? I’ll start with my brother, Neville. He’s very stylish and decisive about what he puts on. Neville’s a very fashionable, good-looking guy that knows how to put a wardrobe together and carries himself well. LeBron James is also very well-dressed. You can tell he takes care of himself. He’s not too eccentric. Russell Westbrook is a little more eccentric, but he’s the poster boy. Fashion is very artistic, creative, and imaginative. That’s what you see when you look at Westbrook. He could wear a safety vest with no shirt and bell-bottoms, and the media will eat it up because he’s established himself as a fashionista. It’s extreme, but he can get away with it, because he has the personality to match it. Also, Christiano Ronaldo. He presents himself as a picture of perfection with his perfectly fitted suits, and his hair is always perfect.
“I HAD TO WORK TWICE AS HARD. EVERYTHING I DID WAS ABOUT BEING IN THE TRENCHES. ABOUT PUTTING THE WORK IN SO I COULD LIVE MY DREAMS.”
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You brought up your brother Neville, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. How much has he helped you with TrenchLife? He’s been the most crucial component. I haven’t been playing basketball since 2014. When I started I became the full support for it because it was the brand under the life I was living. When I stopped playing, he became the poster boy, because he plays on the defensive line. That’s his job to be in the trenches. Having the platform that he does, we had to work together to figure out how to incorporate this into his lifestyle. I gave him a lot of creative control and work off his lead. He tells me what he wants and how to do it because he wears it. He’s around a lot of legendary guys, whether he’s playing with or against them. It gives us the ability to expand and be visible on the level that we desire to reach. When you look at life, everybody has their version of the trenches. It’s the desire or passion to put the work in to be able to live whatever life you dream of living. Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, athlete, or parent, we all have end goals and don’t get to them unless we put the work in. How often do you talk with Neville about new ideas? I always ask him: “What are the guys around you wearing? What do they think? What works for them?” It’s important, because we live in a life where everything is pretty much influenced by influencers. Those guys are automatically influential in what people do in their lives. How they dress, what they wear, and what they represent. On Sunday’s when you’re watching them on TV, you’re not just watching the game or how many touchdowns they score. You watch them walk into the stadium, and how people respond to them on social media… and that’s important information. That’s why I gave him creative control. He tells me: “This is what we’re doing right now, this is what’s in style.” Since speaking to Neville, we’ve had a lot more success. Fashion’s something that’s always changing, in sports or casual, so it’s good to have someone with the inside scoop. Where do you see TrenchLife Apparel going in the next couple of years? My goal is to make it as big as you possibly can. With Neville in the picture, if he keeps growing and doing great things, I think the sky’s the limit. We’d like to grow into a company that provides both lifestyle and performance clothing. I’m not going to say we’ll be the biggest company in the world, but, we want to establish ourselves to be a brand that people think about when they buy clothing.
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What kind of clothing do you have right now? And where do you hope to go? Right now, we’re looking at providing more lifestyle pieces. Sweats, hoodies, baseball caps, and toques. Especially because it’s the winter for most parts of North America. We’re looking at providing warmer clothing that people can just slip on, and at the same time look good. In the summertime, t-shirts and different style of stuff, not just plain cotton stuff. We try to play with different materials, combinations, styles of print, and colours. We’re trying to bring things out that people will gravitate to. Instagram: @trenchlifeapparel Twitter: @TrenchLifeSport Facebook: Trenchlife.
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Health &Happiness A GUIDE TO
Every issue, we find lifestyle changes that are so simple, so surprising, and so successful that they are sure to spark a massive difference in your health and happiness.
EATING PEANUT BUTTER CAN IMPROVE MEMORY AND DECREASE ANXIETY New research from the University of Barcelona has shown that consuming this widely-loved spread can actually have a positive effect on your brain. The study has shown that both peanut butter and raw peanuts have a positive effect on immediate memory recall, though those who ate peanut butter saw a better improvement in overall memory function than those who ate the raw peanuts, or the control group. Of the three groups surveyed, those who incorporated peanuts into their diet also saw a reduction in depression, and those who ate the raw peanuts cited a decrease in anxiety over the 6 month testing period. Researchers concluded that it’s the polyphenols—a naturally occurring compound found in peanuts and a variety of other foods such as apples and dark chocolate—that contributed to the increased cognitive performance and mental health of the participants in the study. Researchers state that the benefits of consuming peanuts apply to all age groups and the practice should be implemented into daily life wherever possible to improve brain function. 44 | FACES MAGAZINE
FOCUSED ON FITNESS? MAKE SURE YOU’RE GETTING ENOUGH PROTEIN A new study published by Medical News Today warns that North American adults are not consuming enough protein on a daily basis. Brittle nails, stress fractures, weakness, and a chronic cold can all be the result of not enough protein in your diet, which can put a strain on your workout plan and be a detriment to your healthy lifestyle. The research found that of those surveyed, 46% of adults were not consuming the recommended amount of protein needed in a day–this is the base level needed for the maintenance of healthy body processes, and does not take into account the increased need for protein when exercising. Protein is a vital component to effective exercise, as protein helps to repair and rebuild muscle tissue after a workout. Without this, the structural damage done to the muscles can be both painful, and ineffective towards your long term fitness goals. Depending on your activity level, the average active person should consume between 1.2-1.7 grams of protein per kg of body weight per day to reap the benefits of a workout.
SEAWEED SNEAK SEAWEED INTO YOUR SNACK REGIME, EXPERTS SAY
Other research on the seavegetable has shown that it contains a variety of protective antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body and can decrease inflammation, which is a leading cause of disease. It’s also been shown to decrease cholesterol, help control weight gain, and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, among other benefits still being researched. Though, like any good thing, too much can lead to problems. The high levels of metal and iodine in the food can lead to problems down the line if consumed in frequent large quantities, so experts suggest eating regular, small amounts of seaweed to reap the greatest health rewards.
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TOO MUCH COFFEE COULD BE SLOWING YOUR BRAIN DOWN, NEW STUDY FINDS Recent research published by John Hopkins Medical School suggests that the effects of caffeine may actually be more detrimental than beneficial to your energy and focus. While caffeine stimulates areas of the brain that aid in cognitive task performance in the short term, the research has found that for habitual coffee drinkers these benefits are no longer present. The boost you feel from your morning cup is rather a temporary reversal of the caffeine withdrawal symptoms of irritability, lack of focus, fatigue, and brain fog. Rather than elevating your performance and energy to new heights, caffeine for habitual coffee drinkers actually just returns you to a baseline or “normal” level for a short period of time.
Additionally, caffeine releases adrenaline in the body, putting you into a state where emotion overruns behaviour. This is a great benefit in situations where fight or flight must be activated for survival–like in the case of a fire in the home–but is not as productive when your greatest task of the day is sending an email or working on spreadsheets. While the caffeine will give you a boost of energy through this adrenaline, that intensity is difficult to hone into productivity, ultimately resulting in increased anxiety and heart rate, and decreased cognitive task performance.
COFFEE
Recent research has shown that Seaweed may be a hidden powerhouse to add into your daily diet. On top of its taste, seaweed is extremely nutritious; described by registered dietician Carolyn Brown as a “vitamin and mineral jackpot”, seaweed is full of vitamins A, E, and B, as well as calcium, magnesium, and iron—among others. This is on top of being a good source for both protein and fiber.
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laire Hanna is an avid supporter of never giving up on Claire Hanna is an avid supporter of never giving up on your dreams. Growing up out west, Claire has spent time your dreams. Growing up out west, Claire has spent time living in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatchewan, and Winniliving in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg. peg. After winning 3 National Titles with the UBC WomAfter winning 3 National Titles with the UBC Women’s en’s Volleyball team, Claire went on to have a career with Volleyball team, Claire went on to have a career with the the Canadian Women’s National Volleyball team. Canadian Women’s National Volleyball team. While she was playing volleyball, Claire also showed an While she was playing volleyball, Claire also showed an interest in broadcasting. Over the years she has done interest in broadcasting. Over the years she has done colour commentary for the UBC Men’s Varsity Volleyball colour commentary for the UBC Men’s Varsity Volleyball team, in-house broadcasting for the Canadian Olympic team, in-house broadcasting for the Canadian Olympic Committee and sideline reporting for the CFL on TSN. Committee and sideline reporting for the CFL on TSN. Claire currently lives in Ottawa, covering the Senators for Claire currently lives in Ottawa, covering the Senators for TSN. We caught up with her to talk about her volleyball TSN. We caught up with her to talk about her volleyball career, broadcasting memories, and how she’s enjoying career, broadcasting memories, and how she’s enjoying The Capital. The Capital.
Photography by Sean Sisk Makeup by Corey J.Stone
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Born in Vancouver, raised in Calgary. What was it like growing up out west? Growing up in Vancouver was a dream. I come from an outdoorsy family, so spending time at Jericho, Locarno, and Kitsilano beach or exploring the forests of UBC’s endowment land and Stanley Park was a typical weekend in our family. I still get a sense of comfort from the rain because it reminds me of puddle jumping and that lush sweet smell of the West Coast. We moved to Calgary when I was 10 years old and that was a dramatic change in scenery but also culture. Watching bull riders at the Calgary Stampede hits differently than waiting hours to glimpse a whale. I’m still not sure which city feels more like home… so when people ask where I’m from, I switch up my answer depending on my mood. You also have to remember I’ve lived in Saskatchewan for six years and Winnipeg for almost four years. I’m definitely a “western” kid. You had a walk-on tryout for the UBC Volleyball team but got cut in year 2. How hard was that and how much did it motivate you? I was devastated when I was cut. I knew I was disposable, but that didn’t make it any easier. In my first and second year at UBC, we had an older team so my coach (Doug Reimer) was preparing for this massive turnover. He’d recruited more players than he needed for the upcoming years so it was really competitive amongst us younger bench players. I remember asking if I could have a meeting with him a few months into my second year at UBC to discuss my goals with the team and what I needed to do to improve. Instead, he cut me. He even told me he didn’t see me as a part of the future of the program and that I didn’t have potential like the other players. Reimer was a former Team Canada head coach as well, so he was pretty good at identifying talent. What’s even more awkward is that I was ashamed to admit what had happened, so I didn’t tell my teammates. Reimer said I could keep practicing at two of the four practices per week so I just kept showing up on those days but people wondered why I wasn’t there at the other two. I wanted him to tell the team he’d cut me, not the other way around. Eventually, people figured it out. But I was
completely gutted. I didn’t want to give up on my dream of playing University volleyball so I joined the junior varsity team. It was a glorified club team that competed in some adult tournaments. The great part is it allowed me to get better and actually touch the court, something a lot of the younger players on the Varsity team weren’t getting a chance to do. I had one goal, to prove Reimer wrong and make the team somehow. You went on to win three CIS (now USports) National Championships at UBC. How did that feel and do any stand out more than another? Long story short, the way I finally made it onto UBC’s volleyball team was switching positions from hitter to libero. The libero is a defensive position in volleyball with a focus on receiving the serves, passing the ball, and playing badass defence. I wasn’t tall enough and my vertical wasn’t strong enough to give me elite hitting or blocking angles, so I played to my strengths and became a defensive specialist. Given how crushing it was for me when I was cut from the team, stepping onto the court for the first time wearing that Thunderbird jersey was one of the proudest moments of my volleyball career.
“I began helping with a weekly column that highlighted exceptional performances by a male and female athlete of the week. It’s the major basis for my passion in sports journalism, especially making sure female athletes get the attention and press they deserve.”
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Everybody assumes my favourite national championship would be in 2010 when we had a perfect season (25-0). But winning that first national championship in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 2008 was utter ecstasy. My favourite of the three. We (the T-Birds) were the underdogs, not a single one of us had been named to any All-star team, but we were such a great unit. Each of us understood our role on the team, we adapted quickly to hitting patterns and angles from the opposition but most importantly, we knew that until that final point was scored, we were still in the game. Statistically speaking we were out of that tournament so many times in 2008, but somehow came back to win games. Our backup setter, Katie Tyzuk, made these clutch serves when she subbed in. One of our outside hitters, Olympic beach volleyball player Jamie Broder, had the most insane shot placement and we blocked like wild. Volleyball is best three out of five sets and our final against the University of Montreal went to a fifth set tiebreaker. The fifth set goes to 15 points but you have to win by two and we won 20-18 in the fifth. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face in that fifth set, it was the pressure situation you dream of. We weren’t perfect but the moment was. You wrote and did colour commentary while you played. What interested you about the media side of things? I remember randomly walking into the campus radio station, CiTR, one day in my first year at UBC, getting a quick tour. I met a few of the radio DJ’s but the sports guys were the best. One of them, Jeff Sergeant, asked me if I wanted to do colour for him during the men’s volleyball games (which were right after we played) and I agreed immediately. Remember, I didn’t have much of a role on the volleyball team in my first two seasons, so doing the radio broadcasts gave me more of a sense of belonging. Then in 2008, there was a moment that completely changed my perception of sports media. We had just won our first national championship since 1978-79 in women’s volleyball. It was a huge moment for the program but also for UBC. When the student newspaper, the Ubyssey, was printed that week, I was eager to read the article
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about our success. When I got my hands on a copy, there was a big feature on the men’s basketball team winning (in my opinion) an insignificant game on the cover. It wasn’t even a playoff game. I had to flip to page 12 until I found any reference to our Canadian title and even then it was this tiny picture with a small caption. I was livid and so was the team. I went to the student newspaper editors and complained. That’s when they asked if I’d like to write some student-athlete features for them. I began helping with a weekly column that highlighted exceptional performances by a male and female athlete of the week. It’s the major basis for my passion for sports journalism, especially making sure female athletes get the attention and press they deserve. How special was it to cover both the 2012 and 2014 Olympics? The BEST. When Team Canada women’s volleyball didn’t qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, I reached out to the Olympic committee and asked if they had any roles open because I desperately wanted to be a part of the Games. When they saw some of my journalism experience, they asked me if I wanted to interview all of the Canadian medalists. I remember my first interview was with Catriona LeMay Doan (who wasn’t competing) but I was like, is this real life? In 2014 my role was very different and involved making sure media didn’t overstep their boundaries within the Canada House. I also gave out passes to the media for press conferences within the Olympic Broadcasting Centre, so it was a cool way of networking with some fantastic reporters and writers. I still have all these crazy videos on my phone, like Mark McMorris chugging a beer before doing interviews and Vladimir Putin trash-talking the Canadian hockey team, it was wild. Had you spent any time in Ottawa before moving here? I came here on a family vacation in 2002. We did the classics: skated the Rideau Canal, visited parliament, ate a thousand BeaverTails, watched Question Period when Paul Martin was PM. MP Sheila Copps waved to us and I thought that was a big deal (laughs). Then I was in Ottawa for a week during the 2017 Olympic Curling Trials. A few friends joined me to watch my partner, Kirk, who was curling with Team Steve Laycock at the time. It was a stressful experience, they lost, but fortunately, I could throw back a few beers, possibly the only opportunity I’ll have to enjoy some cool beverages at the Canadian Tire Centre. What have you enjoyed most about Ottawa so far and do you have any favourite spots? Whalesbone, Suzy Q, Heartbreakers, and Bridgestone are my favourites so far. Also the parks. I can’t walk for 2 minutes without stumbling on some gorgeous green space. It’s impossible to choose which is my favourite. Ask my dog, Hank, he can decide. I will say he took a poop on Parliament Hill when we strolled by on one of our first walks.
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What are some things you’ve yet to do since you’ve been in Ottawa? Eat a BeaverTail! Are they still as good as they were back in 2002? Big to-do list items are to paddleboard on the Rideau Canal in the summer and take one of those buses that turns into a boat on the Ottawa River. I’ve also heard there are some great hikes in Gatineau Park. How much fun have you had covering the Sens on TSN this year? It’s been a blast. I’m going to give it a 7/10, and I can’t wait until this team gets into the playoffs again and the city goes wild. Watching a young team grow and find its identity is going to be a cool experience. What do you like to do when you’re not working? I love biking and cross country skiing. Word on the street is I’m in the right place for those things. What advice do you give people when they ask you about getting into broadcasting? Make sure you’re getting into it for the right reasons. If it’s so you can see yourself on television, nope. You have to ask tough questions sometimes. Have a deep curiosity, love storytelling, and be willing to work long tough shifts during a lot of evenings and weekends. Be dynamic and don’t be afraid to test out unconventional storytelling platforms (TikTok, Facebook Live, video blogs, etc).
@clahanna
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y
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2021 OTTAWA SENATORS
YEAR IN REVIEW BY STEVE BUNDA
It was an interesting year filled with excitement, then disappointment, excitement again, and more disappointment. Due to the pandemic, Sens fans were stuck waiting 310 days to see their team take the ice for the first time since March 11th, 2020 in a 3-2 loss to the L.A. Kings. This past year, the Ottawa Senators played a full 56 game schedule from January 15th-May 12th, and at the time of writing this, 20 games of their 2021-2022 season. The December 1st, 6-2 loss against the Vancouver Canucks was the cut-off point.
RECORD AND STATS
SIGNINGS
Their record in 2021 was 27-44-5. (*combined 76 games). They went 23-29-4 during their 56 game season and 4-15-1 through 20 games in 20212022. Ottawa has scored 199 goals and given up 267 against in 2021. (151 goals in 56 games, 48 through 20. 188 against in 56, 79 against through 20).
April 1st Shane Pinto and Jacob Bernard-Docker both signed their entry-level contacts, leaving the University of North Dakota.
Both seasons kicked off with big, exciting wins against the rival Maple Leafs (January 15th, 5-3, and October 14th, 3-2). *Random note: Chris Tierney scored a goal in both season openers against the Leafs. However, both of those season-opening victories were followed by terrible losing skids. Ottawa had the exact same record through 17 games in both seasons (4-12-1). Josh Norris leads the team with 25 goals in 76 games for the Sens in 2021. Drake Batherson was the leading point-getter with 50 points in just 71 games. Matt Murray had the most wins with 10 in the 31 games he started in ’21. Filip Gustavsson has 8 wins through 16 starts.
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May 5th Anton Forsberg signed a 1 year-$900,000 contract extension after the Sens claimed him off waivers back on March 17th. May 15th Restricted free-agent defenceman Artyom Zub signs a 2 year-$5 million extension. July 28th Free agent defenceman Michael Del Zotto signs a 2 year-$4 million deal. August 29th RFA goaltender Filip Gustavsson signs a 2-year extension worth $1.575 million. September 3rd RFA forward Drake Batherson signs a 6-year, $29.85 million extension. October 8th Sens sign forward Tyler Ennis to a 1-year, $900, 000 deal following his PTO. October 14th Brady Tkachuk signs a 7-year, $57.5 million extension.
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TRADES January 12th D Max Lajoie traded to Carolina for C Clark Bishop February 13th F Cedric Paquette and F Alex Galchenyuk traded to Carolina for F Ryan Dzingel March 29th D Christian Wolanin traded to L.A. for C Michael Amadio April 11th D Braydon Coburn traded to the Islanders for a 7th round pick (2022) + D Mike Reilly traded to Boston for a 3rd round pick (2022). April 12th D Erik Gudbranson traded to Nashville for D Brandon Fortunato and a 7th round pick (2023) July 28th F Evgenii Dadonov traded to Vegas for D Nick Holden and a 3rd round pick (VAN 2022) September 25th F Logan Brown traded to St. Louis for F Zach Sanford and a conditional 4th round pick (2022) *Conditions: Sens retain the 4th round pick if Brown plays 30 games for the Blues in 20212022. October 24th Sens acquire C Dylan Gambrell from San Jose for a 7th round pick (2022)
WELCOME TO THE CLUB: 2021 SENS DRAFT CLASS 1st Round (10): F Tyler Boucher – U.S. National U18 team, now with Boston University (NCAA) 2nd Round (39): F Zack Ostapchuk – Vancouver Giants (WHL) 2nd Round (49): D Ben Roger – London Knights (OHL) 3rd Round (74): F Oliver Johansson – Timra IK Jr. (SWE) 4th Round (123): F Carson Latimer – Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) 7th Round (202): D Chandler Romeo – Brantford 99ers (OJHL)
COACHING/ MANAGEMENT July 12th Sens hire Pierre McGuire to be their senior vice president of player development. July 28th Head coach DJ Smith signs a 2-year extension. Sens hold an option for a 3rd year. September 7th General Manager Pierre Dorion signs a 3-year extension with the Sens.
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MEMORABLE MOMENTS Worst Loss: 7-1 to the Edmonton Oilers on March 11th. The Oilers had their way with the Sens going 9-0 and outscoring them 41-18 in 2021. This 7-1 loss saw Leon Draisaitl score a hattrick and tally 5 points against the Sens. Connor McDavid had a goal and 2 assist’s as well. Dadonov had the lone Sens goal, Matt Murray allowed all 7 goals against, and played the full 60 minutes. Best Win: Dominant 4-0 Shut-Out Victory against the Canadiens on April 17th. This was one of the most complete games the Senators played in all of 2021. A lot happened in this 4-0 Sens win over the Habs. Drake Batherson had a pair of goals, 3 points on the night. Shane Pinto recorded his first point in the NHL (assist) in his first career game. The big story of the night was Matt Murray recording his first shutout with the Senators and first since October 26th, 2019 with the Penguins. He made 23 saves in his 2nd game back between the pipes for Ottawa after missing 11 with an injury.
Photo by The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes
MOST MEMORABLE GAME: It Was 5-1 – Sens 6-5 OT Win Over the Leafs on February 15th. This was one of the most remarkable wins in Sens history. Toronto dominated the first 39 minutes of this edition of the Battle of Ontario, leading 5-1 with 59 seconds remaining in the 2nd period. It was Auston Matthews’s 2nd goal of the game but Nick Paul would score 50 seconds later. Paul’s goal would make it 5-2 igniting the Sens comeback win. After getting out of the penalty box, Artyom Zub would score a beautiful breakaway goal 41 seconds into the 3rd period, dangling around Freddie Anderson. A few minutes later it Connor Brown would score to make it 5-4 with just over 14 minutes remaining in the 3rd period. Then with 2:01 left in period number 3, Evgenii Dadonov would tie the game at 5.
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In overtime, “Daddy” would do it again. After a scramble in their end that saw Hogberg on his belly and out of position, Dadonov would block a Morgan Reilly shot to bail Hogberg out. Right after that block, Thomas Chabot would send Dadonov on a breakaway where he would roof the game-winning goal top shelf on Anderson, completing the comeback. CAPTAIN TKACHUK: Sens Give Brady Tkachuk the “C”. This one was a no-brainer. On Friday, November 5th - the day after a 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights Pierre Dorion and DJ Smith held a press conference with Brady Tkachuk to announce him as the 10th captain in franchise history. At 22 years old, Brady became the franchise’s youngest ever captain as well. There was debate amongst fans and media that Thomas Chabot could also be named captain, but after the team announced 4 alternate’s on opening night, one of which being Chabot, it was obvious the team saw Tkachuk as their next captain. Quotes from that day:
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CONCLUSION
BEST TRADE:
There were plenty of positives and negatives for the Senators in 2021. Fans are anxious for this team to turn the corner and become a playoff contender, after all these tough rebuilding years. Finishing the final 14 games in April/May with a record of 10-31, fans were expecting a team ready to compete and battle with the big dogs. Seeing the team struggle going 4-15-1 to start this season, fans are already thinking of another long, hard season resulting in a top 10 draft pick. Matt Murray currently sits in Belleville after going 0-5 to start the year. Shane Pinto and Colin White are both out for the majority of the season with injuries. DJ Smith has tried using Tim Stutzle at centre for a few games, a move that has looked good so far.
Acquiring Nick Holden on July 28th “There are two things we need: A good defensive defenceman and we almost need a veteran-type first-line centre and those aren’t easy to come by.” That was Sens owner Eugene Melnyk on the Bob McCown Podcast - May 19th, when asked about what the Sens need. Pierre Dorion sent Evgenii Dadonov to Vegas for Nick Holden and a 3rd round pick. Holden has been a steady presence on the back end, nothing too flashy but the veteran is very understanding of his role and does it well. Through the 14 games that Holden has played, he’s been consistent and their 3rd best defender.
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
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Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It was a very underwhelming year, but the future is still bright in Ottawa.
BEST SIGNING: Batherson signs a 6-year, $29.85 million deal. Drake Batherson has been the Sens best forward through the 15 games he’s played, in 2021-2022, leading the team in goals (7) and points (16). It’s hard to look at Batherson’s contract and not think that it’s already a steal. At $4.975 million/season for 6 years, the 23-year-old’s starting to establish himself as a 1st line right-winger in the NHL.
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4 Genius Hacks For Your Winter Clothing Problems
Zap Static Cling In Seconds Avoid static cling in one swipe of a dryer sheet. You can run it over your hair, over your hat, skirt, shirt… whatever cling has decided to hit, a dryer sheet will help to eliminate it.
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Instantly Clean Salty Boots Never Have Wet Socks Again Line your boots with plastic bags and never suffer through wet feet again. Instead of grocery bags, which are a bit large and will be bulky in your boots, use plastic Ziploc or sandwich bags, which
Stop Runs in Your Sweaters and Knits If you spot a hole or a run starting, put clear nail polish around the circle, or at the top and bottom ends of the run to stop it from spreading. Strong hold hairspray can also help, but only until they hit the wash again.
Salt stained boots can be easily cleaned with an all-natural solution of vinegar and water. Mix 1 tbsp. of vinegar with 1 cup of water and stir well. Use a cloth to rub the solution on your boots and watch the stain disappear. This hack is safe for leather and suede shoes. If you find the stains are not coming out, slowly add more vinegar until you get the right balance.
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TALKS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS, FAMILY, AND HIS TAKE ON OTTAWA’S 2022 TEAM. Jason York, a 757-game NHL veteran, remembers spending hours on outdoor rinks in Ottawa with his siblings growing up. He was passed over twice in the NHL draft, but eventually became a 7th round draft pick by the Detroit Red Wings. In 1996, York was traded to his hometown team and helped the Ottawa Senators reach the playoffs for the first time in modern history. When Jason retired in 2007, He already knew he wanted to get into broadcasting.
He started by doing afternoon radio shows during the Sens playoff run in ’07, and is now an Analyst with Sportsnet. York continues to live in Ottawa with his wife. Together they’ve raised his 3 kids and played thousands of rounds of golf. In his family, the former Senator takes the title of father, coach, and dog dad. He’s also owned and coached the Kemptville 73’s for over 5 years. We caught up with York to discuss his career in the NHL, becoming a broadcaster, and being a proud father.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y What was your childhood like growing up in Ottawa?
seventh round two years later, when I was playing for Kitchener.
It was really good. I had two older brothers, one younger brother, and a sister. We all grew up playing hockey, and just a ton of sports. I played baseball in the summer with East Nepean. My fondest memories are going to the local outdoor rinks. I'd go skate at Meadowlands Middle School every single day. My parents still joke that I would be on the rink for five hours at a time. In the summer, it was baseball. My dad built me a pitcher's mound in the backyard as soon as the snow was gone. It was baseball in the summer, and I also played a ton of tennis. I went to St. Pius High School and it was sports all the time to keep myself busy, and probably out of trouble (laughs).
People are familiar with two-way contracts, but Detroit signed me to a four-way contract. There was an NHL clause which was $120,000 if I played in the NHL. If I got sent down to the AHL it was $30,000. If I played in Fort Wayne, which was the IHL, it was $20,000, or they could send me the East Coast League, which was the Hampton Roads Admirals. If I played there, I’d be making $22,000. I went to Detroit’s camp and they had Paul Coffey, Nick Lidstrom, Vladimir Konstantinov, and Mark Howe. There were 84 guys in camp and they gave me jersey number 84.
What was it like getting drafted? It was honestly very stressful (laughs). I played hockey when I was young because that's what I did and that’s what my brothers did. then I got better at it. I was never the best player on my team growing up, I just worked pretty hard and loved playing. One day a scout for the Sudbury Wolves came to my house, he told me they're going to draft me with their first pick in the second round. I always assumed I would get a scholarship but my marks were never very good. I ended up going to the OHL draft not knowing anything about the OHL and I got picked in the first round by Hamilton. It was an absolute horror show, just a horrible experience. I was traded after that year to Windsor and played for a young man by the name of Paul Maurice. Paul was 21 years old, had never coached before, and was now coaching the defence for the Windsor Spitfires. Paul brought the game to me, and it helped my career take off in Windsor. That’s when I first thought that maybe I can play pro, because I was starting to play some of my best hockey. I ended up getting drafted a couple of years later. I actually went to a draft when I was rated in Hamilton, and I was supposed to get picked in either the late first or the second round and I sat through the draft but didn't get picked. That was a pretty horrible experience. It drove me to work harder and to keep going, and I eventually got drafted to Detroit in the
I started in the AHL (Adirondack). I got a call early, I think in November. That was my first call-up. It’s a neat story, because I went into Detroit’s camp on a 4-way contract, and there were all these guys ahead of me on the depth chart, but I never stopped working hard and I didn't worry about it. I kept working, got called up, sent back down, and the following year, the same thing happened. That’s when I started realizing that maybe I could do this.
“GETTING ANOTHER HIGH DRAFT PICK THIS YEAR WILL HELP. MAYBE YOU TAKE THAT DRAFT PICK AND YOU TRADE IT FOR A BUNCH OF PIECES. I COULD MAYBE SEE OTTAWA GETTING A TOP PICK AND TRADING FOR SOME PIECES THAT ARE READY TO WIN NOW PIECES. OTHERWISE, IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.”
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How special was it to play for your hometown team, the Ottawa Senators? It was really cool, but again very nerve-racking. People think playing in the NHL is all great, all the time, but it's a lot. Players carry a lot of anxiety. When I first came home it was a lot of pressure. Ottawa was not a great team the season before I got there. I was in Anaheim, doing well, then I got traded. It was an adjustment at first, but then the team started playing well under Jacques Martin. I quickly found a pretty good role but I had to change my game. I became more of a two-way guy. Jacques Martin, Perry Pearn, and Craig Ramsay really helped me. One of the things I'm most proud of is helping the team become a stable franchise. Being a part of those young Ottawa Senators teams was fun because a lot of guys came in and weren't really established yet. Then they got established in the league and went on to have pretty solid careers. When we made the playoffs for the first time, coming out for game 1 with the “WooHoo” towels, I’ll never forget that. It was the loudest building I ever played in. When Ottawa first made the playoffs after going through those lean years, being a part of that was so awesome. After playing, what made you want to get into broadcasting? How have you enjoyed it? I always thought it was a pretty cool job, and I always became friends with broadcasters wherever I played. Anytime I got asked to do an interview, I’d do it. I was always interested and said if I ever got a chance, later in my career, I was going to try to do that. The NHLPA offers a life after hockey program, so I went and took a broadcasting and public speaking course at Quinnipiac University. I got a hold of the radio station (Team 1200 at the time) when the Senators were playing Anaheim in the finals. I was actually playing in Boston, but I did an afternoon show during the playoffs, and it was a lot of fun. I was probably terrible at the beginning, like any hockey guy that jumps into it at the start (laughs). I did it because I thought it would be fun and it’s still a lot of fun. One thing with playing in the NHL that you’ll never replace is the pressure.
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You went on to buy the Kemptville 73’s and started coaching a few years ago. What made you take on the team and how have you enjoyed it?
Ron Tuggnut was the coach, and I had an older son, Jack, who was playing for Kemptville at the time, so it was just a good fit. I wanted to get involved and I figured I'd be going to the games anyhow. I wanted to help out and pass on a little bit of what I know about hockey. It's been really good ever since, I think it's been five years so far. This year, the team is doing well, my younger son, Matthew, is playing for the team. So it's something where you get to give back and help kids trying to follow their passions. It's rewarding for me to know that I'm helping kids with what they're trying to accomplish. What’s it been like coaching and helping your kids with their hockey careers?
It's been fun. When they were younger, I did a little bit of coaching in novice, then in Atom, and minor peewee. It’s a slippery road though because the one thing that anyone who's coached their kids knows, you tend to be harder on your own. But you don't want it to be that way, you have to treat everybody the same. Both my sons are defencemen, so I focus more on the forwards when I’m coaching junior hockey. Which is funny because I was a defenceman. I’m seeing the game a little bit differently… because I always say defencemen are the smartest guys on the ice, but now I'm getting an appreciation for the forward’s point of view. How did you meet your wife?
I met my wife, Laurel, when I played for Windsor, we were in the same gym class. We were just friends for a year, I was actually dating somebody from my old junior town at the time, then we started dating and we've been together ever since. Together you have two sons and a daughter, what are they like?
I’ve spent a lot of time with my boys, Jack and Matthew, helping with hockey because it's what I know, and my wife spends time with my daughter, Alexandra, who was really into cheerleading. She did competitive cheerleading for a long time. Jack is 21, and he plays hockey at Western University. Matthew’s 19 and plays Junior A for me in Kemptville. Alexandra’s 25, she just started working for Engel and Volkers. I’m proud of her, she has really good people skills, which I like to think I've helped her with. The thing I’m most proud of my family for is that they’ve all grown up to become good, hard-working, caring people.
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What do you like to do when you’re not coaching or working?
JASON YORK
There’s something on the line where you're performing live and if you mess up, there's the consequence that you're going to look stupid. That’s in this job, too. You have to make sure you sound good and do a solid job.
I love to play golf and I love to organize pools. I always do an annual Masters, US Open, British Open, and NHL playoff pool. In the summertime, I play a ton of golf. The greatest thing about golf is it’s something you can do with your kids. Both my boys play golf. We golf together all the time and go on golf trips. When I turned 40, we went to Pebble Beach, which was an awesome trip. My 50th was unfortunately cut short because of COVID, so I owe myself a 50th trip which is probably going to be a golf trip as well. I'd say golf is my passion. I want to do that as long as I can and just spend time with my kids. My kids are older now, I love spending time with them. I can't forget my dog, Charlie. We got Charlie our Goldendoodle during COVID. I never thought I'd be this much of a dog person but this dog is like my kid. I love taking the dog for daily walks and it's a big part of our family now. What do you like so much about the Ottawa area?
The thing I love the most, which a lot of people don't, is the winter. I love building an outdoor rink. When my kids were growing up, I had a rink for them every year and that was the thing I enjoyed.
The other thing I love about Ottawa is the people. It's a small community, so when bad things happen, people rally around people. I saw that Mike Glover lost his leg, but that the community was right there to support him. Cancer is such a tough, tough thing. I lost my mom to cancer back in January. I'm pretty private, I never made it public, but just having support from family and friends was special. When bad things happen in Ottawa, people help one another and I'd say that's very special about Ottawa. Looking at the Ottawa Senators, what do you make of them right now?
I think they've done the best job, I would say arguably in the NHL, of drafting players and getting them to the point where they've got a chance. I look at this group right now and in particular, a guy like Drake Batherson. We all know Brady Tkachuk is a very good player and they got him because he was at the draft. You don't give credit for that, you give credit for him now and the development part of it, but identifying a guy like Drake Batherson, that's a great draft pick. I think we all know Brady's going to be a great player, but being able to scout and identify a guy like Batherson, I think he's going to be a special player. Josh Norris has a chance to be a great player, I know they got him in the Karlsson trade but they seem to do a good job of identifying young players with talent. Naming Tkachuk the captain, that’s a no-brainer, I don't think that deserves any praise, but I would praise them for picking and developing a guy like Batherson. I also really enjoy watching them play. I like DJ, I like their compete level, I think they're exciting to watch. Their power play right now, that's a pretty exciting power play. When you have pieces like Stutzle, Batherson, Norris, Tkachuk, and Chabot, that power-play is going to be unbelievable.
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What do they need to do to reach that next level and become a playoff team in 2022? I know a lot of people thought they were going to be a playoff team this year, I didn’t. That doesn't happen overnight. I thought they'd be right where they are now. You look at their defence and it is what it is. You have Thomas Chabot, you have a lot of guys that are trying to find their way, Zub’s been a nice addition. I think he's a good player but he's a guy that also doesn’t have a lot of experience. It's going to take some time. Getting another high draft pick this year will help. Maybe you take that draft pick and you trade it for a bunch of pieces. I could maybe see Ottawa getting a top pick and trading for some pieces that are ready to win now pieces. Otherwise, it's going to take time. I think they need to lose again this year, get that pick, and I would put the pick in play. That's how you get better. I don't know if anyone’s said that, but that's what I would do.
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6 COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID ON
Valentine’S Day We’ve uncovered some of the most common pitfalls even the most well-intentioned of lovers fall into.
Not Planning Ahead You want to make sure they’re happy, so you will take your partner anywhere they want to go on Valentine’s Day, right? Wrong. Not having anything planned, even with good intentions, comes across as uncaring and lazy. Have a plan, make a reservation. Make your partner feel like you thought about this ahead of time.
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Not Making A Reservation Speaking of thinking ahead, Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants, spas and destinations. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your table, or you will be stuck without one.
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Not Discussing A Budget Whether it’s too much or too little, not meeting financial expectations is a source of tension for couples on Valentine’s Day. If it’s appropriate, establishing a budget for gifts can help to avoid the unwanted surprises or feelings of misunderstandings.
Not Signing The Card Don’t make the mistake of letting the card speak for you. The card aisle is littered with great poems and notes that may express exactly how you feel, but those words need to be in your hand writing if you don’t want it to look and feel like a cop-out to your valentine. Even if you are buying the most expensive or most thoughtful gift a person can find, it loses a lot of context without a hand-written note. Don’t let the card speak for you …sign your card.
Ordering a Gift Online February 14th sees an influx in cards, gifts and presents being sent in the mail, increasing the chances of a stall. Don’t put yourself at risk of your gift not arriving in time, and shop instore.
Choosing The Wrong Flowers Should you think outside the box for your choice of flowers? Not this time. Different colours of flowers carry different meanings (think funerals, graduations, weddings), and your partner may associate them with those occasions. While you might think you are adding to the romance by choosing a differ-ent flower, you may be taking away from it instead.
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Nina Krakowsky went looking for a home. Instead, she found a job. She and her young family had just arrived in Ottawa from Boston, one of many stops in her globe-trotting career. After soliciting the services of Tracy Arnett, head of a popular, eponymous brokerage firm, Tracy, in turn, offered to make Nina part of her team. Nina’s initial intention was to assist relocating families. After all, her life path had taken her from her native Germany to Hong Kong, Beijing, Raleigh, Boston, and finally, Ottawa.
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“In 2008, I got the idea to start a consulting company where I would help people settle in the city,” she explains. “That’s when I first met Tracy. I wanted to pitch my business to her and see if some of her clients might need a service like that. Then the market crashed. She told me, ‘Nina, it’s a super idea but no one is relocating. All of these big companies are shutting everything down.”
Photography by Sean Sisk Makeup By Christie Capustinky
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The following year, Nina and Tracy met again, this time as home buyer and agent. After finding a house for Nina, her longtime husband and their three children, Tracy asked for a favour in kind. Recognizing the dignified demeanour and professional determination of a winning real estate rep, Tracy encouraged Nina to procure her license. By 2009, Nina had joined Team Arnett—quite a career leap for someone with a background in sinology (the European form of Chinese Studies).
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In a deviation from her original plan, Nina doesn’t specialize in relocations. That said, she often finds herself assisting young families from international backgrounds who are new to the nation’s capital. “I have had very personal experiences moving with a family, whether it’s across town, countries, or continents. So that’s often my focus.” And a successful one it is too. As the old bromide goes, in real estate, 10% of the agents sell 90% of the houses. If Nina finds herself in the top percentile, it’s attributable to her dedication to the task. “There are realtors that only work part-time,” she explains. “If a realtor only sells three properties a year, it can be very overwhelming for the agent.” And the buyer, she adds cautiously, going on to offer those on the hunt some sage advice: “I would suggest interviewing your agent and asking them very openly, ‘How many homes do you sell per year? What kind of clientele do you serve? Are you better with condos? Investment properties? New homes? Old homes?”
ones who’ll work well with you. You need a good inspector, a good lawyer, a good mortgage broker and a good agent...your realtor can introduce you to all these people.” As good as business has been for Nina, who’s amassed a long list of client testimonials for her ability to pinpoint needs and negotiate home buyer pain points, it hasn’t been pandemic-proof. That said, thanks to sound mentorship and personal acumen, she’s made out better than most. “No one knew how we were going to be affected,” she recounts, looking back on the first wave of COVID-19. “We were lucky because we were a small business. We were nimble. We took the time to be fully automated; all our processes went online.
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We went paperless and utilized 3D virtual tours, something we already provided well before most others did in Ottawa .” Her biggest hardship was the switch from putting time in at the office to working from home. “Being away from my team was the hardest thing for me. I love my brokerage team. We genuinely like working and socializing together. But I’m lucky. I have a cottage nearby Kingston on an island. That’s where I worked when possible with my family.” Thanks to Ontario’s loosened restrictions, Krakowsky is back at the office. New in town and looking for a place to live? She’d be happy to hear your needs. www.tracyarnett.com
She also advocates being just as inquisitive with anybody else. “House buying is a lot of teamwork. You want the best people on your team,
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Ottawa's Most Challenging
SKI HILLS
Ottawa is well situated for skiers, with some great destinations within a 2-hour radius from The Capital. But for those looking for a challenge, what direction should you go? We asked our readers and followers to name the most challenging ski hills near the city.
DOWNHILL Calabogie Peaks 1 Hour
Just an hour from downtown Ottawa, Calabogie Peaks is Eastern Ontario’s tallest mountain resort with the highest vertical in Ontario (780 ft or 280m). The resort also has the longest beginner run in the province. There’s something for everyone at this destination, and those looking for a challenge will surely find it.
Edelweiss 30 Minutes
Just 30 minutes from downtown, in Wakefield, is Edelweiss. One of many ski hills in the Outaouais, readers recommend this hill for two black diamond routes: Streif and Shotgun. Both challenging, but one is straight and one is turning. Edelweiss has a total of 20 trails across 160 acres.
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REMINISCING Carlington Ski Hill - Anne Heggtviet Although you can no longer ski at this hill, the Ottawa community continues to reminisce on this resort. The hill was used for skiing from 1965 to the end of the 1989-90 season. The hill was named after Ottawa-born skier and Olympic gold medalist, Anne Heggtviet. Before that, other readers remember calling this spot ‘Devil’s Hill’.
CROSS COUNTRY Ski Heritage East One of the largest networks in the capital, this 80km network of trails runs from Green’s Creek through to Trim Road along the Ottawa River. The trails are open through March, and groomed regularly.
Mont. Ste Marie 1 Hour
An hour from Ottawa, and also in the Outaouais, Mont. Ste Marie is a privately owned ski hill perfect for intermediate-to-advanced skiers. The 20 trails are all generally steep, and there’s only one route for beginners
Camp Fortunate 30 Minutes
This medium-sized ski hill in Chelsea, QC has an even mix of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced runs, but readers suggest that experienced skiers try Heggtveit, a narrow and steep black diamond.
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11 QUESTIONS WITH
JP SAXE JP Saxe is the man who sang If The World Was Ending just months before it shut down completely. The Toronto-born singer/songwriter’s career, and personal life, blew up with that track, too. He and Julia Michaels, the song’s feature, have been dating since meeting to record it. But the rest is not history for Saxe, who is now releasing his debut album, Dangerous Levels of Introspection, a body of work that is 4 years in the making. The album features Saxe’s idol John Mayer, and lists FINNEAS, Billie Eilish’s brother, as one of 9 producers.
Saxe has been on tour since late 2021, and is coming to Montreal on February 6th. He’s also making stops in his hometown of Toronto on February 9th and 10th. We sat down with the rising star to discuss his journey to music, his favourite things about touring, and to dive deep into his new album.
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You were born in Toronto. What are your favourite memories of your childhood? I think going to open mics around the city. I feel grateful to grow up in a community that prioritized art. Just being able to find a different jam session or open mic in Toronto most nights was a huge part of my upbringing. Your grandfather was a decorated musician. Was music always a big part of your childhood? When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in music? I would say at around 19 I decided that music brought me the most joy, and if I could somehow make it my job, then I would have a happy life. Some of your first singles include Changed and Anybody Else. What is the biggest difference between you as an artist on those songs, compared to your work on Dangerous Levels of Introspection? I honestly think they are more similar than they are different. I’m trying to be sincere in what it’s like to be me. Changed is what it felt like to be me at 22/23, and the songs on the album are me between the age of 24/27. Speaking of this album, 4 years in the making, how does it feel to finally release this body of work? It feels amazing to finally assert the kind of artist I want to be for the rest of my life with a debut album that I spent a lot of time working on. I really believe in the way it represents me and my art and the kind of art I’ve always wanted to make. Sincerity first and nuanced in having a conversation about what it feels like to be the only human I have any authority to speak on, which is me. In your interviews, it’s very clear that you are a chronic introspectionist. Do you like this about yourself? I mean, I’m not sure if I can confidently say I love that about myself. It’s just who I am.
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I don't have an option, so I just make the most of it. Your journey to fame was not as linear as most. If the World Was Ending, released in 2019, was a huge success for you, long before your debut album. When you look back on the experience of releasing that song, listening to it on radio stations across the world, and being nominated for a Grammy, how would you describe it? I am grateful that the first release of my success came with this song, because it is exactly the kind of music I’d like to spend the rest of my life making. If it had happened with a song that I didn’t really love, it would be confusing to continue to have the success that I want while trying to make the music I want. But it’s really encouraging to know that an overemotional, pensive, longing, and sincere record like If the World Was Ending is the thing that started my career because it is the type of music I’d like to continue making. You’ve said that the day you met and recorded with Julia Michaels, your now girlfriend, was the most meaningful day of your life. Was it love at first sight? What’s your favorite thing about her? Was it love at first sight? I’m going to go with yes. My favorite thing about her is a tie between her seemingly endless compassion and her apple pies. Moving back to your new album, what’s your favorite song to perform live, and why? Probably “Emily” because we just get to yell about how much we love our friends. You’ve been on tour across Canada, and will be in Montreal on February 6th. What can fans expect? They can expect this dork of a Canadian telling them too much about himself for about 90-minutes. Do you have any pre-show rituals? Things you do before you perform?
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I tell all my friends I love them, then I go on stage. What was it like to work with John Mayer? It was a dream come true. He has influenced my songwriting more than anyone in the world and to have him be a part of my first album is surreal. What’s something people would be surprised to know about you? I am a phenomenal bowler. Lastly, what’s your best piece of advice for any aspiring artists looking to follow in your footsteps? I think the 3 most important steps in becoming an artist are knowing who you are, knowing how to be okay with it, and knowing how to put it in a song. They are really hard steps, but if you can do those things, then you will be fine. @jpsaxe FACES MAGAZINE | 75
SPORTS
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS:
5 REASONS THE SENS WILL BE BETTER IN 2022 BRADY TKACHUK’S LEADERSHIP Brady Tkachuk was named the Sens 10th captain in franchise history back on November 5th, 2021. He was the obvious choice, especially after signing his 7-year contract extension with the Ottawa Senators. Brady’s always had the right leadership qualities since he started in his rookie season. From the way he conducts himself on the ice, in the locker room around teammates, and out in the community with fans, Tkachuk’s ability to lead is always there. However, after missing training camp and the pre-season, it took Brady a few games to get his legs underneath him. After missing the first 3 games, Tkachuk has 5 goals, 7 assists for 12 points in the 17 games he’s played on the season. Since being named captain on November 5th, Brady has 3 goals, 5 helpers in 10 games. Not that he would be uncomfortable, but, the more games he plays will help Tkachuk continue to grow as a leader. It’s been a tough first 20 games for Ottawa but I believe Brady will start to drag his team into battle, as DJ Smith likes to say. 4-15-1 is a huge hole to climb out of but if there’s anyone that can get this team to turn their season around, it’s Brady Tkachuk. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
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BY STEVE BUNDA
TEAM DEVELOPMENT Even though the Ottawa Senators finished the final 14 games of their 56 game season going 10-3-1, they were facing an uphill battle to be a playoff team in 2021-2022. They’ve dealt with injuries (Colin White, Shane Pinto), a COVID-19 outbreak, and inconsistent play to start the first 20 games of the season. Their record should be better than 4-15-1 but at the end of the day, your record is what it is. The Sens are a relatively young team and for most of these players, they’re playing against teams outside of the North Division, for the first time. Tim Stutzle has had a bit of a sophomore slump (1 goal, 7 assists) in the first 20 games of the season. DJ Smith has moved him to centre for a few games, something that seems to be working a bit better for “Jimmy Stu”. He’s had chances and flashed his skill plenty but has struggled to produce. I believe he’s due for a breakout game and once that
comes, it will likely improve his confidence and open the flood gates. Ottawa’s top line of Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson is going up against the opposing team’s top line every game now, a challenge they’re getting used to. The line has found some solid chemistry but the more they go up against different teams’ top lines, the more they will learn, adjust and develop. Confidence breeds success and once this Sens team plays themselves out of their slump, their character will start to show. It will take some time but I believe they will turn things around, finish in the 22-17 range, and come 2022-2023, be the playoff-contending team most fans expected them to be this season.
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CONFIDENT GOALTENDING Goaltending has been a touchy subject for most Sens fans, especially after seeing Matt Murray sign a 4-year, $25 million deal, before the 2021 season. Murray has yet to win fans over, winning only 10 of his 31 starts with Ottawa. You can put some blame on the team’s poor defensive play but Murray has yet to have a game where he steals a win for the club. He’s struggled to stay healthy during his time in Ottawa, battling the flu and injuries this season, sporting a 0-5 record in 6 starts. Murray currently finds himself playing in the AHL with Belleville, looking to find confidence and consistency in his game. Filip Gustavsson continues to be a reason the Sens are in most of the games they’ve played in ’21-22. Unlike Matt Murray, “Gus the Bus” has stood on his head multiple times, stealing a few wins and keeping the team from getting blown out. Gustavsson has 8 wins in just 16 starts - 2 less than Murray in about half as many starts. The plan was for Gustavsson to start the year in Belleville but with Murray missing time with injuries/ flu, Gustavsson has stepped in and shown he can be a difference-maker. Anton Forsberg hasn’t been very good in the chances he’s had, collecting just 1 win in 5 starts. He will likely continue to be the backup to Gustavsson/Murray for the remainder of ’21-22 but certainly needs to pick it up if he wants to be re-signed or in the NHL come the ’22-23 season. I think Matt Murray will get one last chance to prove himself after his stint in Belleville, but the leash will likely be very short. DJ Smith needs to recognize his number 1 goaltender and stick with that decision, whether it’s Murray, Gustavsson, or Forsberg. I believe it’s only a matter of time before Gustavsson gets named the starting goaltender and once that happens, I don’t see the team looking back.
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BATH TIME BREAKS OUT Drake Batherson has been the Sens best player to start the 20212022 season and it’s not really close. “The Drake” leads the team in points with 16 in 15 games played. Batherson signed a 6-year extension with the Senators on September 3rd, worth $4.975 million a season. On December 1st, this deal already looks like a steal. Batherson has found his groove alongside Josh Norris on the top line and is starting to establish himself around the NHL. He’s learning how to use his size (6’3, 205lbs) to his advantage, has two-4 point games to start the year, and became more of a 200foot player. Batherson will continue to skate as the 1st line right-winger and on the number 1 power-play unit for the Sens, giving himself plenty of opportunities to break out in 2022. I believe he will continue to be right around the point-a-game pace and finish this season with 28 goals, 44 assists, and 72 points in 74 games played. Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jamie Hersch of the NHL Network interviews Senators draft pick Jake Sanderson on Tuesday. Getty Images
THE ARRIVAL OF JAKE SANDERSON Jake Sanderson has made it known that he intends to join the Ottawa Senators following his season at North Dakota. Ever since Sens fans saw Sanderson play for the United States at the World Juniors in late 2020/early 2021, they’ve been in love. His size (6’2, 190lbs), skating, and ability to be a hard-to-play against defender is exactly what the Sens are missing on their back end. Jake’s expected to join the Sens in April once he wraps up his season with UND, and it won’t be long before he finds himself playing right behind Thomas Chabot as the number 2 left defenceman. When the puck drops for the Sens ’22-23 season in October, Sanderson will have a handful of NHL games under his belt and be ready to stabilize the Senators defensive core. It may be asking a lot of the 19-year old defender but by all accounts, he can handle it.
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On driving change and inclusion in the NHL Mark Fraser used to lace his skates and hit the ice for the Toronto Maple Leafs, looking to make a positive impact. Now in his new role with the organization, he’s looking to change hockey culture. Born and raised in the Ottawa area, Mark Fraser has 219 games of NHL experience on his resume. A 3rd round (84th overall) draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2005 NHL draft, Mark spent time with the Devils, Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers. You can also add 132 games of experience playing overseas in Finland, Slovakia, and Germany, to his resume. Mark continues to call Ottawa home, where he leads the Leafs in his player development role with the Equity,
Diversity, and Inclusion team. It’s a role he pitched to the team in 2020, and it’s become the first of its kind in the NHL. Mark is also working on a documentary that explores the experience of black hockey players in the NHL. He knows that real change takes uncomfortable conversations, and a look at the larger picture. It’s precisely here, at what he refers to as the intersection of social justice and hockey, that the former Leaf intends to make his impact. We talked to Mark about growing up in Ottawa, his memories from his pro hockey career, and his journey to spearheading the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion role with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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What was it like growing up in Ottawa? Growing up in Blackburn, my memories are of the community. It's where a lot of my early friendships started. Playing street hockey, floor hockey, basement hockey, mini sticks, hockey video games… and trading hockey cards. It was so easy to run from park-to-park, basement-to-basement in our community. We had a bit of a longer leash and were allowed to be unsupervised at a young age because it was such a safe, protected neighbourhood. Growing up, it was all sports with my boys, friends, and older brother. We had a pretty good childhood in that neighbourhood. What was it like playing Junior hockey for the Gloucester Rangers, your hometown team? It was a lot of fun. I remember being an elementary school kid, going to the Junior A games and thinking it was like pro hockey. Initially, I was school-driven and wanted to go to the NCAA. So, before I committed to Kitchener in the OHL, it was a no-brainer and so convenient. I went to Gloucester High School, so being able to literally walk across the parking lot after class to go practice, was great. I still have a lot of love for that Earl Armstrong arena today. In 2005, you were drafted by the Devils in the 3rd round, but also played for the Leafs. What was it like being from Ottawa but playing for Toronto? It was awesome. I was a little bit of a Blackhawks fan growing up, but the Leafs and Doug Gilmour were my favorite team and player. That was probably influenced by my older brother. I played in the era with the Leafs where we won a lot of games. That's always nice, being on the winning side of the battle of Ontario. It's just so special. Getting a chance to play in the NHL for a franchise like the Leafs, and then being able to come back home, and have your family and friends watch the rivalry. It was a lot of fun. All the games were very memorable. After playing in the NHL, you played hockey in Europe. What are some differences between the two? How much of an adjustment was it for you? There were a few moments where it was a big adjustment. Going to Fin80 | FACES MAGAZINE
land, it was hard adjusting to the darkness and the lack of sunlight. Finnish is a tough language to learn, but I was lucky I was in a big enough city in Turku where English was quite common. Going to Slovakia, I stuck out like a sore thumb. Culturally speaking, I felt estranged from life in Slovakia. Thankfully, playing in Germany was a bit better, but still a small town. There's a lot of nuances that are very normal because you're playing hockey elsewhere. You're meeting new guys who are like you, and you’re coming away with these 20 new friendships everywhere you go. Life away from the rink was a lot different. As different as things can be in the game, you still have your safe spaces. Outside of that, things were more challenging. Culturally speaking, Slovakia and parts of Germany were tough for me to vibe with.
“I STARTED WORKING AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HOCKEY, AND FOUND SO MUCH OF MY LIVED EXPERIENCE WAS COMING OUT. IT GAVE ME A WHOLE NEW SENSE OF PURPOSE AND A WHOLE NEW DRIVE TO TRY TO CREATE SOME CHANGE.”
What has life after hockey been like? Was it a transition for you? When I retired at the beginning of 2020, I had a backup plan ready to go. The transition was real. At the same time, I was very grateful for my career and I was ready to step away. The pandemic hitting solidified my decision. For a lot of hockey players and athletes alike, it’s hard to find that sense of purpose outside of hockey. I was very grateful I had a clothing line that I was starting to work on. There's a documentary that I’ve been working on for a few years, to tell the story of the black hockey players’ experience. Having those things helped me find that sense of purpose. It was unexpected that I got back into hockey as quickly as I did with the Maple Leafs, which truly just came from the circumstances of 2020. I started working at the intersection of social justice and hockey, and found so much of my lived experience was coming out. It gave me a whole new sense of purpose and a whole new drive to try to create some change. I'm very fortunate that my transition wasn’t that long. What's it like seeing the NHL starting to take action about diversity in hockey? It's nice to see, this one was well overdue. To be quite frank, I would like to see a lot more. The fact that we are acknowledging certain experiences from certain equity-seeking groups is a start, but I think we're still far behind. The NHL’s approach is still to be those of followers and not leaders themselves. I know that this change takes time, we’re talking about systemic change. I'm happy because it's starting to bring awareness to a lot of stakeholders, people who weren't aware of the experiences of people like me, in the game. I think there's still a lot more that needs to be done. Have you dealt with discrimination while you were playing? Was there a time that it affected you? Two experiences come to mind. The first time I experienced discrimination was as a 14-year-old playing in Buckingham. I got a coincidental penalty, but then I was getting harassed by a couple of adults, hanging over the glass in the penalty box. They were yelling relentlessly, chirping, telling me to go back to the bush.
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O T T A W A One of the more recent moments that stands out happened while I was playing in Slovakia. There was a moment when one of our captains, who knew I was probably a little bit down, started to chat with me. He admitted that before I signed partway through the year, the GM had asked their three captains how they would feel bringing in a black player and if it would have a negative impact on team morale or not. That just smacked me so hard in the face. I wasn't even upset with the General Manager asking because I felt like maybe he understood the culture of Slovakia and was doing his due diligence. I’d be ignorant to say that all my downfalls in hockey were because of my skin colour, but naive to not think, has this happened before? What other potential job opportunities did I not get? The irony of playing in Slovakia was I had the most NHL experience of anyone in the entire league, but my resume wasn't enough to get me there. They still questioned if bringing a black player into their locker room would create a problem. Being a 30 something-year-old, former NHLer, and still having someone question your capability to contribute to their team positively because of skin colour, not skills or assets. It didn't hurt me the way some racial epithets would; it hurt me to realize how handcuffed I may have been during my actual career. Would the best way to affect change at the higher levels be to start with minor hockey and the grassroots levels? Absolutely, I think it starts at the grassroots level. The important thing at the pro level is that that's where representations are often the most seen. There need to be significant changes at the pro and NHL levels of representation. Visible, racialized, or marginalized people, whether it’s women or anyone from the LGBTQ plus community, persons with disabilities, also need to feel represented. So, it absolutely starts at the grassroots level, and educating our parents, coaches, and the youth themselves. In minor hockey, I know that racially penalized racial slurs are growing, let alone the non-penalized ones. Why nowadays, is that continuing to grow? It's a huge onus on the grassroots level. How have you enjoyed leading the Maple Leafs in your player development role in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion?
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I WAS HONOURED THAT I GOT THE TIME TO CONNECT WITH THE LEAFS AND SHOOT MY SHOT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY RECEIVED IT SO WELL THEY BROUGHT ME BACK INTO THE FOLD. I THINK IT SPEAKS SIGNIFICANTLY TO KYLE DUBAS AND THE TYPE OF PERSON HE IS. HE'S THE FIRST GENERAL MANAGER IN HOCKEY WHO HAS CREATED A POSITION LIKE THIS.” It's been great. Like anything, it's not without its challenges, because what I'm also trying to address and change is a cultural pivot. Even within the Maple Leafs, we’re a huge entity in hockey and with that still comes systemic change that needs to happen. It's challenging for sure, but I’m enjoying it. I think the best value and fulfillment I get from this position is just normalizing conversations inside the locker room. I’m already seeing the growth within our players and staff in a small amount of time. We’re creating a new awareness amongst ourselves, eliminating bias, and looking at things from a different perspective. A lot of these topics aren't comfortable, people generally don't want to speak up for fear of coming off as being insensitive or putting their foot in their mouth. I encourage everyone the same way that as athletes, we train to be better. Putting time in the gym occasionally sucks; it physically hurts. We have to lean into that discomfort, that anxiety, and that fear to be better. I’m now seeing the players reciprocate that, and my staff and colleagues reciprocate it. I’m having people come up to me, confiding in me with a question or something they read or heard, and wanting to know if it's right or wrong. I’m seeing the willingness and courage of others to start speaking up on things. It has honestly been one of the most fulfilling parts of my role. Kyle Dubas has been so big for Diversity and Inclusion in hockey. How have you enjoyed working with him? Does it make you proud working for an organization that wants to affect change? Absolutely. There are two reasons why I ended up back with the Maple Leafs, and one of those is Kyle. When I initially reached out to him in July of 2020, I was trying to encourage and suggest they start looking for diversity/inclusion type roles in their company. I was pleasantly surprised that Kyle did not need an education in this space. He was well aware of what was happening in our society
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and our game. He's incredibly passionate about diversity, inclusion, and providing equitable opportunities in our game. Fostering an inclusive environment is somewhat of a foreign concept in hockey. So I was honoured that I got the time to connect with the Leafs and shoot my shot, but at the same time, they received it so well they brought me back into the fold. I think it speaks significantly to Kyle Dubas and the type of person he is. He's the first general manager in hockey who has created a position like this. You brought up earlier that you started a clothing line, Blackburn by Shug. Where did that idea come from? It came from being a proud Blackburn kid. I started just messing around, making some logos, repping Blackburn on a couple of t-shirts, and people started liking it. So, I thought maybe instead of making this for myself, let’s make it for the masses. It's still relatively small but we’re starting to take on more corporate clients. We've just launched a small campaign heading into the holidays for the Blackburn Minor Hockey Association. I'm a guy who's never been defined as just a hockey player. Music, film, fashion, culture, these are all things that I've always had an interest in. When it came to creating a little bit of an urban line or fulfilling certain corporate orders, the plans were for me to do something that can represent the community, but at the same time, give it back and pay a little bit forward. Our company pledges that a portion of our proceeds from every sale goes back to community programming. We're focusing on Blackburn minor hockey right now. We want to make sure that lower-income, different equity-seeking, or racialized families, who don't have the same accessibility or perhaps can’t afford it, can still have the same opportunities that hockey gave me. It's a fun, passionate project for me where I can generate some funds and help the future youth in my community have similar experiences to the game that I grew up loving. Outside of hockey, what are just some of your interests? What do you like to do around Ottawa? I have a seven-month-old puppy, Winnie the Whoodle, and she’s been taking up a lot of time. She's fantastic, I love being a dog parent. Beyond that, my big interest is documentary films and music culture. I love all genres of music, other than country. I'm a huge hip-hop head, I love the storytelling you find in the lyrics. If I do have downtime, I go on Spotify and find an artist that I haven’t listened to in a while. Then I’ll go down a deep rabbit hole to discover a whole bunch of new music. That’s where I would say my next biggest passion lies, outside of hockey. I love spending hours upon hours getting lost in music. If I'm going for a walk, I want music in my ears. If I’m cruising, I want music in my ears. So, I’d say what I like to do outside of sports, is generally to spend a lot of time messing around and discovering new music. @MarkFraser02
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WHY? 3 common sayings & their surprising origins.
Break The Ice This commonly used saying is a figure of speech for an old marine practice still used in parts of the world today. During shipping voyages in the 18 - 1600s, ships would sometimes get stuck in ice when approaching their destination (out of the ocean and into calmer waters), usually a different country. The foreign port would send out small vessels to help clear a path (or break the ice) for the ship, to show acknowledgement of their welcomeness. Today, ice breaking ships are still used, but are not the first point of contact between ships.
The Whole Nine Yards During World War II, fighter jets were most commonly loaded with nine yards of ammo. If they used ‘the whole nine yards’, it meant they did their absolutely everything they could during combat.
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Caught Red Handed Perhaps one of the oldest expressions still in modern use, this expression originated from the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain sometime between the 5th and 11th century. During this period, Old English Law ordered that in order to be punished for stealing and butchering an animal, the thief had to be caught with the animal’s blood still on his hands, which would mean they would have a red hue to them.
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THE BEST & WORST LOVE SONGS Of All Time
While the concept of love has brought us some of the greatest works of all time (see: Shakespeare), it’s also inspired some...interesting artistic content that has left a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons. To celebrate Valentine's Day, we’ve rounded up the five best and worst love songs of all time.
FIRST, THE BEST:
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At Last
by Etta James (1960) From the opening chord of James’ 1960 classic, you can feel the emotion of the song, with Etta’s velvety vocals pulling you into the world of a woman who’s found her other half. It’s no surprise that this is the 3rd most popular first dance song for weddings to this day, with the smooth jazz instrumentals setting the perfect scene for the ultimate ceremony of love.
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I’m on Fire
by Bruce Springsteen (1984) If ‘The Boss’ knows one thing it’s how to tell a story through his lyrics. ‘I’m on Fire’ is a short and sweet picture of a complicated love affair--or an unrequited desire, depending on how you look at it. Springsteen sings about this person like a man possessed by passion, and manages to tell us the story in under 3 minutes of soft guitar strums and a catchy percussion beat.
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I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston (1992)
No surprise here--the 1992 chart topper is most frequently ranked as the top love song of all time. Houston sings this soulful ballad (which was originally written and performed by the queen of country herself, Dolly Parton), describing the selflessness that comes with loving someone deeply. Between the lyrical beauty of a love unravelled and the rich, iconic sound of Houston’s vocals, it’s easy to see how this tune has remained the ultimate love song in the public eye.
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AND NOW, FOR THE WORST:
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God Must Have Spent (A Little More Time on You) by N’Sync (1998)
If there’s one thing the 90’s boy band perfected, it’s the cheesy love song-- and ‘God Must Have Spent (A Little More Time on You)’ is the perfect example. “I never thought that love could feel like this / And you’ve changed my world with just one kiss / How can it be that right here with me / There’s an angel?”
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Every Breath You Take by The Police (1983) An 80’s ballad that could be a serious contender theme song for Netflix’s ‘You’, ‘Every Breath You Take’ tells the story of a man consumed with his ‘love’ (see: obsession) with the subject of his desire. “Every breath you take / And every move you make / Every bond you break / Every step you take / I’ll be watching you,” feeling creeped out yet?
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He Hit Me (and
it Felt Like a Kiss) by The Crystals (1962) Is an explanation necessary for this 1962 ballad of red flags? The Crystal’s describe an abusive relationship between an “untrue” woman, and a violent man. Perhaps most troubling are the lyrics, “If he didn’t care for me / I could have never made him mad / But he hit me, / And I was glad,” solidifying this tune’s place as the worst love song of all time.
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Ottawa's
PATRICIA BOAL When the clock hits 6 and the lights come on, Patricia Boal is there to deliver your Ottawa News. Born and raised in Canada’s Capital, Patricia grew up watching the news with her family, but now she gets to deliver it to the people of Ottawa. After attending Algonquin college, she has spent the last 27 years working at CFRA, The Score, and now with CTV Ottawa. Married to TSN 1200’s Gord Wilson, together they have dominated the Ottawa media scene with their presence and work ethic. From raising their family, looking after their dogs Jackson and Levi, and balancing work schedules, it’s been a wild ride. We sat down with Patricia to talk growing up in Ottawa, her journey to broadcasting, and her life off-screen.
Photography by Sean Sisk Makeup by Corey J. Stone
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Where did you grow up? I’m an Ottawa girl through and through. I was born here and grew up in Riverside Park near Mooney’s Bay. I went to Glebe Collegiate and loved it. I had some teachers there who rivalled my university profs in terms of teaching ability. I also made an amazing group of friends who are still some of my best buds to this day. I should also mention I grew up watching CJOH-TV (now CTV Ottawa) every day, and remember gathering around the TV with the family at 6. So my first opportunity to be on the news desk here was certainly a meaningful, full-circle moment. You went to McGill University before attending Algonquin College. What brought you back to Ottawa? Honestly, a boyfriend. We were only together briefly, but my love affair with Canada’s capital remains strong (laughs). Why did you want to get into broadcasting? I didn’t originally. I wanted to write. I started doing articles for the McGill Tribune and thought about doing a master’s in journalism. I attended Algonquin’s print journalism program to test the waters and ended up thoroughly enjoying the broadcasting courses. Steve Winogron was the news director at CFRA at the time and one of my instructors. When he suggested doing an internship at CFRA at the end of my program, I was torn. I still dreamed of writing for a newspaper, but I loved the energy in the radio newsroom and decided it might be the right place for me. One of the best decisions I ever made. You've worked in media since 1994. What’s one of the most memorable stories you've covered? There are a few stories that stand out. Our CFRA morning show was on location in Toronto for the final stages of the Paul Bernardo murder trial. I was in the courtroom for the verdict and in those pre-social media days, came running out to our location to get the news to Steve Madely and get it on the air as quickly as possible. I was also in the NO camp for the referendum vote in Montreal in 1995. Perhaps due to my time at McGill, I feel incredibly attached to the province of Quebec. That was an emotional night and a very close vote. The families who shared with CTV Ottawa their devastating experiences with flooding in 2017 and 2019 will never be forgotten. I have been fortunate enough to cover a few Olympic Games, too. Those trips were incredible: Vancouver 2010, London 2012, and Rio 2016. But I think the story that stands out the most was the ice storm of 1998. We all worked 16 hour days to cover the many, many families living without electricity, without heat, without access to phones. CFRA then was like a modern-day trading post. People calling in to say they had 90 | FACES MAGAZINE
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generators or extra wood. My parents took my one-year-old daughter and me in as we too were without power in rural Manotick. So I was living the story I was covering for several days. I felt exhausted but needed. We were part of a team doing something useful and providing a lifeline. I assumed that experience would never be duplicated, but I have to say that COVID has had similarities. Again we are living it and reporting on it. Everyday. Who has been your most memorable interview? I had a chance to interview the late, great Alex Trebek for CTV Ottawa in 2019. I am a longtime Jeopardy viewer and admired him for years. I was a bit nervous going in because he was well into his cancer battle at that point and I had been told the interview might not happen if he wasn’t feeling up to it. But he was a consummate pro. He did interviews. He spoke French and English. He emceed the launch of the Royal Canadian Geographical society’s new headquarters with aplomb. He was inspiring. When they say “don’t meet your heroes” they weren’t talking about Trebek. And I should say, Corey Hart was a close runner-up. His concert at Lansdowne was my first. It was a thrill to interview him decades later. One of us still looks the same. How have you enjoyed working alongside Graham Richardson? I’m about to say nice things so I hope he never sees this! (Laughs). Quite honestly, I once said it’s like winning the colleague lottery and it’s true. While we both took very different paths to the news desk, we somehow seem to connect beautifully when we sit side by side. Graham is one of the smartest people I know, and passionate about every aspect of the news business. He loves to break a story himself but is equally happy to mentor a younger reporter on how best to deliver their material. He is interested in everything. He has a wonderful sense of humour, he’s become an incredible friend, and we have a blast at the many events we emcee together. Graham is a transplant to Ottawa but is madly in love with this city. He is the biggest proponent of the Capital as a recreational athlete’s dream, with bike and ski trails through incredibly scenic vistas just minutes from where we work and live. I should note, he can be as intense about his recreation as he is about his work. This means we all get dragged out for pickleball with colleagues and bike rides to breweries on occasion. There are worse things. Who would be your dream interview? Oprah. I watched her show for years and listened to her ask the exact questions I would have asked had I been in her position. It was always a very satisfying experience. I love her energy, her strength, and her light. Michelle Obama would be a close second. I thought I might get a chance to interview her when she was in Ottawa but I ended up doing a brief introduction to her Q and A instead. I read her book a couple of times. Once to myself, once to my son. I had all kinds of questions percolating in my head which I never got to use. I would love the opportunity to sit down with her one day. How did you meet your husband, Gord Wilson? We met at CFRA. We actually met first over the phone. I was very shy and had just started working there. He called in from the road and I must have picked up the phone in a very tentative manner. He barked “Who’s this? You sound like you’re answering the phone in a morgue”. I disliked him instantly. It was a much better impression when he first walked into the newsroom, smiling, making jokes, and brightening the place. He has good energy and a much louder voice than I do.
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How hard is it when both you and Gord work in media and have abnormal schedules? It’s much easier now that our kids are older and my schedule is more stable. When he was traveling with the Sens and my job as a sports reporter for the Score also involved significant travel, it was much more difficult. My parents were life-savers, often stepping in to take my older daughter. We would not both have been able to do what we were doing without their constant support. In later years, my daughter and step-daughter both put in lots of time looking after their younger siblings while we were at games or when I was working until midnight at CTV Ottawa. We’ve both had wonderful, interesting careers in media but it certainly takes a village to make it happen! What's a memorable Valentine’s Day that you two were able to celebrate? Valentine’s Day has typically been more of a family celebration in our house (Kids: Lindsay, Jess, and Jake, Stepdaughter Kristin). We did go out just the two of us for dinner in 2020. The next day he had heart palpitations and suffered a heart attack two days later. I’m not sure if there is a connection…But once again we found ourselves extremely happy to live in Ottawa. He received incredible care at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He tried desperately to get out early to emcee Chris Phillips’ jersey retirement celebration but ended up just missing it. How hard was it for your family to go through Gord’s health scares in 2020, including a heart attack and COVID? Everyone suffered in some way through 2020, but yes, it was particularly tough for Gord and the family by extension. Just weeks after that February heart attack he picked up COVID on the Sens final road trip to California. The team returned from California early when the NHL season paused. Several people on that flight home became ill. It was early days and there were many unknowns. It took 11 days for Gord to get his test results. While waiting, I ended up broadcasting our CTV Ottawa newscasts from the backyard. Never thought I had a job where I could work from home! Gord got quite sick but fortunately was never hospitalized. He’s finally feeling himself again but it was certainly a long haul recovering. It was very scary for the kids in the early days. Health officials kept repeating that if you stayed home you’d be safe from the virus and we would look at each other thinking “But it’s in our home…” Lots of scrubbing, disinfecting, and distancing. Fortunately, no one else got sick. Oh, and Wayne Gretzky called one night to see how Gord was doing. That was very sweet of him. And very cool for the kids. (And Gord) If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself before you started in media? Relax. Be yourself. Seize every opportunity. Enjoy the ride and appreciate the experience. The biggest thrill of this job is meeting a wide variety of people who are go-getters in their field. From the doctors at CHEO to the Sens and Redblacks players to the politicians, they are people who are passionate about what they do and they share a little bit of that with us. We get to share it with all of you and that is a wonderful privilege. @PatriciaBoalCTV
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ttawa is home to some of Canada’s most luxurious accommodations, with sweeping views of Parliament, and just steps from art galleries, museums, and the bustle of Byward Market. We’ve rounded up 5 of the most luxurious hotel rooms in the city.
Prestige Suite at
Le Germain Hotel Ottawa This spacious 830sq ft. suite has a king sized bed, separate shower and bathtub, dining room, living room, powder room, and reading area. Located on Daly avenue, this luxury retreat is steps from all of the downtown sights and amenities, including Parliament, the Rideau centre, and the Byward Market. A one night stay with breakfast will run you around $650, give or take depending on the season and day. Additional perks of the room include a 46” HD television, rainfall shower, heated bathroom floors, Egyptian cotton sheets, and goose down comforters--and that’s not even mentioning the view. 92 | FACES MAGAZINE
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Presidential Suite at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Anyone who’s visited downtown Ottawa can attest to the overall grandeur of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier--this historic building boasts some of the most luxurious rooms on this list, with an underlying tone of traditionality. Though, at just over $3100 per night for the Presidential Suite, this historic experience comes at quite the hefty price tag. The suite is a huge 2000 square foot, apartment style space with a dressing room, powder room, living space, kitchen, and an impressively large dining room that seats 8 comfortably. A 3D tour of the suite is available on their website, which showcases the marble accents, grand entryway, and comfortable living space, complete with fireplace.
Bonaventure Suite at The Westin Ottawa
This top floor suite isn’t available to book on their site, but photos of this exclusive and lavish suite can be seen in the gallery--and we’re sure Westin’s best kept secret will impress. Featuring a private rooftop lounge, an expansive living/dining area, and a contemporary feel with modern pops of colour, this is a luxurious departure from your standard hotel accommodation and perfect for entertaining. Also included is complimentary wifi, a 50” flatscreen tv, and a coveted location on the top floor with a private view of the Ottawa city skyline.
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Churchill Suite at the Lord Elgin
The Churchill Suite is an apartment-style suite on the top floor of the historic Lord Elgin Hotel. This spacious, 777 square foot suite Includes a king bed, 49” flat screen TV, full bathroom with a soaker bathtub, free wifi, a gorgeous park view, and a walk-in shower. Unlike the other suites at the Lord Elgin, the premium Churchill suite Includes free unlimited wifi and other small luxuries, like a walk-in closet, marble tile floors, and a full galley kitchen and living room for entertaining. A one night stay in this prestigious room will run you about $415 depending on the days booked and the time of year.
Presidential Suite
at the Andaz by Hyatt in Byward Market This modern stay is a popular destination for those looking to enjoy a true downtown experience. Located in the Byward Market, the Andaz by Hyatt’s Presidential Suite offers 1496 square feet of space, complete with a king sized bed, walk-in closet, rainfall shower and deep soaker tub, private outdoor terrace and entrance, 50” flat screen tv. The elevated feel of the decor and gorgeous lobby creates a truly modern luxury experience.
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Now
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Surprising finds from the world of research.
Inadequate Sleep Might Be Making You Clumsy A new study by researchers at MIT has found that the connection between sleep and our performance day to day is larger than just cognitive and affects us on a physical level, particularly in the way we walk. The study found that the control we have over our stride and gait are greatly affected by the amount of sleep we get each night. Of those surveyed, the people who received the least amount of sleep–or pulled all nighters–had noticeably less control on a treadmill test than those who received regular sleep. Interestingly, it was found that if there was inadequate sleep throughout the week, sleeping in on the weekend increased walking performance and decreased clumsiness in those surveyed. Principal researcher of the study, Hermano Krebs stated of the findings, “We[…]find that compensating for sleep could be an important strategy. For instance, for those who are chronically sleep-deprived, like shift workers, clinicians, and some military personnel, if they build in regular sleep compensation, they might have better control over their gait”. So don’t feel too guilty for hitting snooze on your saturday alarm, it just might be setting you up for success.
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Ottawa Was Just Named One Of The Fittest Cities In The World Good news Ottawa fitnesslovers: the capital was just named one of the fittest cities in the world. According to a recent study published by Reebok on the Global State of Fitness, Ottawa ranks at 16th worldwide based on the parameters of the study; the two other Canadian cities listed, Montreal and Vancouver, are ranked at 18th and 13th respectively (with the often-mentioned Toronto not making the top 20 cut).
Dreams Might Be More Important Than Originally Thought New research has found that our dreams may be more important to our health than originally thought by experts. While previous sleep studies have disregarded dreams as a mere byproduct of sleep, new studies have found that dreaming actually has a positive effect on the brain. While in REM-sleep, our brains are uniquely devoid of anxietytriggering molecules, while key memory and emotional structures in the brain are activated. This allows us to process difficult situations while in REM, recovering mentally from anxiety-inducing or stressful events the same way our muscles recover from an intense workout during sleep. Dreaming has also been shown to enhance creativity and problem-solving. In a dream-state you often don’t remember every detail of a situation or task, but rather have a general overview of the highlighted points. This generalization allows the brain to pick out which pieces are truly vital and aids you in your daily life by sparking creativity as your brain works to process and catalogue what it sees into the categories of “important” and “not-so-important”.
The study considered factors such as the cost of a monthly gym membership, the percentage of people who cycle or walk to work, as well as the percentage of the population that regularly goes to the gym. According to the study, an average Ottawa gym membership comes in at just under $55, a few dollars cheaper than the Vancouver average, but substantially more than the Montreal average of $32. The three Canadian cities are evenly ranked in terms of gym-going population, all coming in at 17%. The countries ranked in the top five are Spain, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and The Netherlands (most of which, conveniently also rank high in terms of overall happiness according to recent studies). While Ottawa hasn’t breached the top ten, the inclusion of three Canadian cities in the ranking is an exciting step in a direction of an increased health-prioritized (and possibly happier) culture.
75% Of North Americans Have Lied To Get Out Of A Zoom Meeting The switch to remote work caused a 55% increase in meetings, according to a new study published by Honest Paws. The study found that this increase in virtual meetings causes a phenomenon called ‘Zoom fatigue’, which is exacerbated by meetings that run too long, happen too frequently, and cause a physical toll on the employee through eye strain. The study also found that it was these reasons that are causing more and more employees to take their schedule into their own hands, citing excuses such as poor internet as the reason to not attend their zoom meetings. 75% of North Americans surveyed admitted to declining a Zoom meeting invitation simply because they did not want to attend, with 32% claiming internet problems as the cause, and another 28% citing schedule conflicts— neither of which were true.
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HOW TO CREATE
A Dream Shower
I
s there anything more relaxing than a hot shower after a long day? How about that same hot shower, but elevated? Adding a touch of luxury into your day to day doesn’t have to mean living expensively or lavishly; small switches can elevate your daily life exponentially without the luxury-lifestyle price tag. We’re confident that these simple additions to your daily shower routine are the perfect way to create a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere—but we’ll let you be the final judge. SPLURGE ON A TOWEL WARMER
A good towel warmer will run you anywhere from $100$300, but we promise it’s well worth the investment. Walking out of a hot shower into a perfectly warmed towel saves you the few minutes of chills and teeth chattering bathroom air, and instead extends the relaxation of the shower into the remainder of your day. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE AROMATHERAPY There’s a reason people swear on the validity of essential oils—certain scent
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blends have been shown to relax and soothe, while others can give you a burst of energy. Some fresh eucalyptus draped over your shower head offers a soothing and fresh scent that helps emulate that spa vibe. When combined with the steam, scents like eucalyptus— and even essential oil blends like lavender—create the perfect environment for relaxation. YOUR BATH MAT CAN MAKE A SERIOUS DIFFERENCE The experience of stepping out of the shower and onto a freezing cold tile floor is not exactly a pleasant one. While a standard bath mat already upgrades the experience exponentially, investing in a quality, plush, 100% cotton mat makes you feel like you’re staying in a 5 star resort. Neutral tones like greys, beiges, and creams create a naturally soothing environment, so stick to those if you’re stuck on style. ADD A SHOWER BENCH These versatile pieces can be used both in and out of the shower to hold your clothes, towels, or toiletries—but mostly they add a spalike ambience to the space. Subtle luxuries like a shoewr bench can make all the difference in creating an elevated and relaxing atmosphere. It’s all about creating a sense of ease in your routine, since that’s where true luxury lies.
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THE MORNING RUSH WITH BILL CARROLL WEEKDAYS 6-10AM
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THE CROWN OF STONEBRIDGE
NOW OPEN! Discover a Place to Thrive in Barrhaven. Where passion, nature and amenities come together, The Crown of Stonebridge is a dream-come-true community just 30 minutes outside of downtown Ottawa. Surrounded by parks, nature trails and a spectacular 18-hole golf course, this collection of Town and Detached Homes is designed for life, well-lived.
Register for updates at mattamyhomes.com/ontario/ottawa
SALES OFFICE CONTACT 613-825-7932 | sls_crownofstonebridge@mattamycorp.com Homes are subject to availability. All dimensions are approximate. Prices, specifications, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. E.&O.E.
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362 PRESTON STREET OTTAWA, ONT. K1S 4M7
(613) 234-3156 WWW.GIOVANNIS-RESTAURANT.COM
Open Monday through Friday for lunch and every night for dinner.
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