From Worcester, USA to Torino, Italy

Hockey Great Bill Guerin is Bound for the Olympics

By Kimberly Dunbar

Born in Worcester and raised in Wilbraham, Bill Guerin grew up with hockey in his backyard. Literally. His dad built him an ice skating rink right behind the house. “I skated on an outdoor rink in our backyard for 15 years,” said Guerin, recalling that he was probably six or seven when his father started the rink. And he skated out there well into high school. “I think that was really important to my development because I was out there all day and all night, as long as I could stay out and play. I look back now and really appreciate that my Dad did that for me.”

Guerin wound up maturing into one of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) finest players and was recently named to this year’s US Olympic Hockey Team. “I was really excited to be named to this Olympic team. It is always such a great honor to represent your country and a great honor to go over to the Olympics. I’m very proud and excited about participating again,” he said.

While this trip will be Guerin’s third Olympic experience, one previous left a lasting impact on him as well as on the entire sport of hockey: He’ll never forget the 1980 Miracle on Ice, in which an American team comprised of college players (it was the last year before the US starting using professionals in the Games) triumphed over the defending gold medalist Russians in the semifinals and went on to win the gold. “It absolutely put US hockey on the map and showed the world that we were a force to be reckoned with,” Guerin said. “I know for guys in my generation, it inspired us and motivated us to be hockey players.  That was a huge event at a young age in our lives that influences us a great deal.”

Four of those 1980 skaters were from Boston University: Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig, Jack O’Callahan and Dave Silk. Guerin said that those players became idols of his and of his peers, and it was a thrill for this aspiring hockey player to meet them. “I’ve gotten to know Eruzione a little bit and I’ve met O’Callahan and Craig. It’s still a big thrill to see them. They were our heroes and we still look up to them to this day. We were so proud that so many of those guys were from Massachusetts.”

Guerin hung around Boston for college. He played two seasons with BC (1989-91), tallying 40 goals and 30 assists for 70 points in 77 career outings. Also during that time, he played for Team USA in both the 1989 and 1990 World Junior Championships.

“To stay at home in Massachusetts and play for Boston College was fantastic. That experience for me was super and I loved every second of it.   I still follow BC hockey and it’s a great place for a young guy to go and play,” said Guerin of his alma mater.

Guerin went on to be chosen in the first round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, fifth overall, by the New Jersey Devils. He played seven seasons with New Jersey before moving to Edmonton for four and then came home to Boston for two seasons, thriving in front of his home crowd and leading the NHL in scoring, setting personal-best numbers across the board. “It was pretty special to play for the Bruins,” said Guerin. “I was nervous about it at first, but fortunately, it worked out for me. I experienced the two best statistical years of my career {he posted 40+ goals both seasons}, and I just really enjoyed being home.  Playing for the Bruins was a dream come true.”

After his tenure in Boston, Guerin signed with the Dallas Stars, and is currently in his third season with the team. It’s pretty impossible to grow a backyard skating rink in sunny Texas, but despite the un-hockeylike weather, Guerin says Dallas is just as crazy about the sport as the fans in the Northeast.

“Neither is better than the other,” he said of Massachusetts and Dallas. “There is a Northeastern mentality and there’s a Southern mentality. We play in front of a full house every night here in Dallas and the crowds are great and the fans love it. Both places are great.”

In February, Guerin will board a plane headed to Turino, Italy in a quest to bring home another medal for the United States (the U.S. won silver four years ago). While playing on the world’s largest stage, Guerin will be reminded of a childhood memory of his Wilbraham hockey team, comprised entirely of 10 year olds, winning the State Championship. “We thought we were the kings of the world,” he said. “It was great, we didn’t think we even had a chance, but we played teams from all over the state and won the tournament. We got big trophies. I’ll never forget that.”

In Italy, Guerin will be in a much bigger tournament amongst teams from all over the world and will be going for a much bigger trophy ~ a medal and, most importantly, national and Massachusetts pride, a reward much bigger than any tangible prize.