2006 - Kerry Goulet
Kerry Goulet #29 Forward
Biography:
Ball hockey today is making its mark with people that are and have reached the heights of the Hockey World through excellence and involvement in our sport. The proof is irrefutable that top ball hockey builds top people and players, when they strive to reach for National prominence at our yearly events. We have top ex-players managing OHL & NHL teams today like Mike Futa and Scott Howson of Ontario. We have top players like Alexandre Burrows of Quebec graduating to the NHL and the Vancouver Canucks through his exploits with his club team the Red Lite, and Team Canada. And we have the passionate story and achievements of a great player from one of our past legendary teams, who is today creating a magazine for the young and old hockey enthusiast to enjoy, after carving out a Hall of Fame Ice Hockey career in Europe.Our new Hall of Fame inductee comes from the province of Manitoba and joins his linemate Shane McKay in our CBHA Hall of Fame. The CBHA is proud to announce that Kerry Goulet has been named to our Hall as one of the best players ever to play our sport. Goulet, carved out his Hall of Fame Ball Hockey career in the early years of our association playing for the legendary Winnipeg Grasshoppers. His line spearheaded the team to greatness. Scoring big goals, being the focal point with his intensity and battling his opponents at every turn. Goulet was a force in the early days of our association. The Grasshoppers teams power still resounds today, as it battled the powerhouse teams from Ontario, Newfoundland & BC in the early years of our association. Goulet played at 11 Nationals and was key player in the success of that team. Applying himself totally to the excellent standard of pushing himself and his teammates to National glory. Becoming the only Manitoba team to win the Nat’s in the history of the CBHA in 1985. That dedication and drive to our sport helped shape his work ethic, confidence and skill as a player. He parlayed his ball hockey excellence and winning pedigree to become a legend in the Ice Hockey leagues of Germany. Having his uniform retired overseas. Today he uses that intensity and drive to produce his hockey magazine Icehockey World to the passionate and young players of today.
For today’s young player, note the class, and spirit of passion that his words relay to you. You just know this Hall of Famer gave everything he had every time he hit the floor. From one of the greats of our game. Kerry Goulet worked hard to achieve everything he has earned. He is firmly entrenched in our Hall of Fame for ever, back home here in Canada.
Interview:
Kerry, what are your first recollections of playing ball hockey. And how did you become involved in our sport Nationally?Ball hockey is by far the greatest game for summer conditioning! The years I played ball hockey helped me to advance in my professional hockey career. The skills that ball hockey gave me prepared me for my time in Germany and without them I would not have gotten the opportunity to play professional hockey. The Winnipeg Grasshoppers were by far the best group of players I have ever played with both in hockey and ball hockey; Mark MacKay, Shane MacKay, Dave Wiebe, Brian Content, Eric Matthies and so many more. I was privileged to play with all these Hall of Famers. I participated in 11 Canadian Championships with this same group of guys, who won the Manitoba provincials 12 times.
You played on one of the CBHA's most legendary teams the Winnipeg Grasshoppers. Tell the readers of today what it was like to be on this team? And what made it great?
A true pleasure to be surrounded by so many professional players. The Grasshoppers were created by Art Wannabe back in the late 70s. He was our leader and together we built a team, along with my brother Lawrence, who was feared by many. We took raw talent and added hockey skills. All our players had played top level hockey in Winnipeg and this is what made us a tremendous ball hockey team. It was the intensity and determination that made us so hard to play against. An unfortunate accident to one of the best Grasshoppers of all times, Robert Vielfaure also made us good. He broke his neck and ended up in a wheel chair at age 19; he was then and is still now my motivation. We dedicated the 1985 win to him!
What made the Grasshoppers so good was that we would play some of the best ball hockey teams on the planet from Ontario, by far the best ball hockey players ever, and in the early championships we learned from them how to play real ball hockey. Once we were taught, we could then go out and win the 1985 championship. The Maritimes and BC would also give us great games and this drove us to perform at our best. The Canadian Championships back in the early and mid 80s were so good and I am honoured to have been able to play in so many great tournaments. Everyone who knew me back then, knew I came to win and I had a few run-ins with management but looking back, I want to thank and complement the organizers for 11 fantastic years!
What made it so great was that we always found ways to compete and to succeed. The no quit attitude was our strongest attribute.
Kerry you played in many Nationals. What was the most memorable game, or tournament you played? What sticks in your mind regarding it?
The 1985 Canadian Championships in Winnipeg. I scored a goal against Team Ontario on my knees that advanced our team into the finals. We played against a team from Newfoundland and they were fantastic. It was a hard fought game and with five seconds left, I made a pass to Brian Content and he blistered a shot past a stunned goalie to win 3-2. The party was unbelievable and it was actually televised by Global TV with Joe Pascucci announcing the game!
What teams or players from your era still make an impression on you today in your recollections?
There were so many good teams along the way. I was fortunate to represent Manitoba so many times in the Canadians. All teams I played against from Ontario were incredible. It was always a war. I remember playing against Dino Ciccerelli in Alberta one year and he beat us alone!!! What a shot! BC would always send top level teams and Newfoundland would also put together teams with incredible work ethics. They were tough to play against.
What were the earmarks of your game? What made you an effective ball hockey player?
My ability to compete at all times. The Grasshoppers were a small organization and we would play only two lines for the entire year. Our conditioning was outstanding. Having Mark MacKay and Shane MacKay as linemates made me a better player and I was able to show off my offensive talent. I was not the best defensive player but our defense was simply the best and made me look good…Dave Wiebe, Bill Bram…outstanding players!
Kerry, you were a star International Ice Hockey Player in Germany with many scoring records. But if you look back, what impact did ball hockey have on you as a player and person? Did it help you in your path in hockey to acheive your goals? Did it give you any tangible hockey skills that helped you?
No question ball hockey helped my hockey career. It taught me offensive skills I would have not gained by only playing hockey. The conditioning attained through the running in the game helped me prepare my body for the hockey season. I actually believe it was ball hockey that helped me read a goalie better and eventually helped me win a few scoring championships and 3 German League Championships over my 16 years.
Being a highly respected hockey person, and now CBHA Hall of Famer, what would you tell a young player about high level ball hockey? What could they do to find success in it? Or what can they work on to be good at it?
Conditioning! There is no gliding in this sport. Working on your overall fitness level will give you an edge on your competitor. Also I would take time to hone my skills. I was fortunate I came from a hockey background. This really helped me. So if a young player has the chance to play hockey in the winter then work on your skills at every chance. Inline hockey also helped as it gave me the added advantage to always have the game in me. Enjoy the game…. take time to realize it will all come to an end someday so enjoy every minute. I only wish I could have played the game for ever. My body can no longer take the punishment; ball hockey demands more toughness than hockey in my opinion. I would love to play again!
What does it mean to you to be named as a CBHA Hall of Fame Player?
It is an honour! In 2003 my hockey jersey was retired in Timmendorfer Strand, Germany, but this is as big or bigger to me. To be recognized as one of the best to ever play by your peers is truly special. Thank you all who felt I am worthy of this award.
What do you see ahead in the future for ball hockey?
Last year I was fortunate to see two games and witness the exceptional talent base in Ontario. With people like George Gortsos, who as a player possessed incredible passion and skill, directing the game there is a solid future for ball hockey.