Interview mit Drew Bannister im Sommer 2008

Drew Bannister may have been born in Belleville, but he’s a Greater Sudbury boy through and through. The 34-year-old recently capped off a remarkable 2007-08 season in Germany with the Kassel Huskies where he won the league championship, scored the series finale overtime goal and was named best defenceman.

Bannister moved to Sudbury when he was seven with his family and played AAA minor hockey here until being drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1990. The six-foot-two defender then played four seasons with the Greyhounds, winning two OHL championships, the Memorial Cup and a gold medal at the World Junior Championship (WJC). Bannister then embarked on his professional career which has seen him play in the United States to Finland to Russia and Germany since 1994, winning one AHL championship (with Hartford in 2000).

Bannister was drafted into the NHL by Tampa Bay in 1992, 26th overall. He played 164 NHL games with Tampa Bay, Edmonton and Anaheim.

Recently, Bannister took time to talk with Northern Life reporter Scott Haddow about life and hockey in Europe, his fondest memories and the impact a car accident had on him and his entire family when he was young.

Q: Winning the German championship, what did it mean to you?

A: Last year, we lost the finals. This year, we were the favourites and there was a lot of pressure on the team. It was a tough grind and we faced a lot of adversity, but we pushed through it and won. It had been a while since I had won a league championship. It was a special feeling. It makes me wonder if it was my last chance to win a championship. With me getting up in age, to win another championship is a big accomplishment.

Q: You scored the overtime, championship-winning goal in Germany. How did that feel?

A: Growing up as a kid, for me, I played street hockey and dreamed of scoring an overtime goal to win the Stanley Cup. It’s a great individual achievement...but I played with a lot of guys who did a lot of great things during the season that gave me the chance to score. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe.

Q: What are you getting out of the hockey experience in Europe?

A: If I was still in North America, I would probably have never gone to Europe and seen all the different places I’ve seen. It made me appreciate the things we have here in North America. Europe doesn’t have the vast amounts of land or lakes. A lot of people don’t own houses, they live in apartments. I feel privileged I can come home and sit down in my backyard or go to camp and enjoy everything we have here.

Q: What kind of cultural differences have you noticed or had to adjust to?

A: Nothing really blows my mind over there. The language barrier was something I had to get used to, but English is a second language in Europe and I’ve been able to get by and even learned some German. The cultural is more laid-back than North America...there’s no crazy rush and people speeding in their cars. They live a relaxed lifestyle. It’s an easy life to get used to. There’s a lot of similarities...people work hard and have fun in their time off like we do. Where I live in Kassel, a week doesn’t go by were I don’t hear about somebody digging up a bomb leftover from the Second World War...it’s crazy.

Q: You were named Top Defenceman in Germany for two straight seasons. What does it mean to you?

A: It sure looks good on paper. I got the trophies and I can say it’s a bit of an ego boost. I played on some great teams and with great players. When it comes down to it in the end, if you don’t win the championship, individual awards don’t matter to me. Last year, I would have traded the Top Defenceman award for a championship without hesitation. I would have done it this year. The most important thing is to win as a team...going through everything with a team. It’s more of an accomplishment.

Q: Is there anything you would change about your life right now?

A: There’s always been things I’ve done I would have liked to change, but would I be where I am now? I can’t be more happier with how my life has turned out. I would have loved to have played five or 10 more years in the NHL, but I was blessed enough to play five seasons in the NHL. I wouldn’t change anything hockey-wise. I’ve met a lot of great people and seen a lot of great things. I’ve won league championships...there’s guys who go through their whole careers and never even win a playoff series. A defining moment in a hockey player’s career is what you’ve done with a team and being part of a championship-winning team. I’m proud I was part if winning teams at the national, international and professional levels.

Q: You were born in Belleville, but grew up in Sudbury from age seven. Do you consider yourself to be a Sudbury boy?

A: Yes. I’ve always considered myself to be from Sudbury. I played all my minor hockey here. I went to play Major Junior hockey when I was 16, but I always came back here in the summer. I’m back now and I’m rooted here...my family is still here and my wife, Katie, is a teacher in Chelmsford. There’s no place I would rather be than Sudbury.

Q: What does Sudbury mean to you?

A: Sudbury people are the salt of the earth. I grew up here and learned all my values from my family, coaches and friends I had in Sudbury. Sudbury is a small city, but it’s a big city. Everyone is always interested in how you’re doing. Guys I’ve played with, who played in Sudbury, always talk about how great it was...they can’t say enough good things about the city. It’s nice to know I come from a city which has meant so much to other people.

Q: What do you like most about Sudbury?

A: I love the outdoors and fishing. Where else can I live where there’s 300 lakes at my back door? When I played in the United States, I loved coming home to go fishing or just walking in the bush. I drag my wife out onto the lake just to get an extra line in the water. This is why I love coming home.

Q: You’ve also won other major hockey championships – Memorial Cup (1993, along with two OHL titles in 1991 and 92), WJC Gold medal in 1994 and AHL Calder Cup in 2000. What do you remember most about each championship?

A: For the Memorial Cup, it was our third time in a row going there. We beat Peterborough to earn the right to host the Memorial Cup. At the time, the steel plant in Sault Ste. Marie had a shut down and people were struggling. Our team was something to keep people’s minds off their troubles. We ended up winning on home ice and it was absolute pandemonium. I can remember the Zamboni driving down the street...it was crazy. The WJC in the Czech Republic was a totally different experience. We were big underdogs and had to beat Sweden in our final game to win gold, which we did. To win for my country was emotional especially knowing there were so many people watching back home. The Calder Cup was my first professional championship and the first season I played in the AHL. Our coach was John Paddock and he made us believe in ourselves and we bought into it and won.

Q: What kind of demands do you put on yourself?

A: I am my toughest critic and I’ve always been that way. I’m in better shape now than I was when I was 23. I’m always in the gym...it’s a commitment which goes hand-in-hand with hockey. I enjoy pushing myself to be better. I’m in a leadership role, so I put pressure on myself to be in top shape and be ready for my teammates.

Q: Your father, Bob, was seriously injured in a car accident when you were in Grade 6 which left him paralyzed on one side of his body. What kind of effect did that have on you?

A: I didn’t have to sacrifice anything. I was the youngest in the family and my mother, and older sister and brother had to make all kinds of sacrifices. My mom had to go back to school and take care of the family. My older brother, Kent, had to become the man of the house and my sister, Jody, had to do the things our mother had been doing. They had to sacrifice a lot and couldn’t do certain things. They decided, as a group, to allow me to keep playing AAA hockey. They wanted me to keep playing and I know I wouldn’t be where I am without what they did. Today, my dad is very independent and active. I’m lucky to have him around. He loves hockey and still goes to every Sudbury Wolves game at the Sudbury Arena.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I have one more year left on my contract with Kassel. I’m looking to extend it another two or three seasons. The drive to play is still there. I still love going to the rink. They’ll have to kick me out of the game before I leave.

Quelle: * BY SCOTT HADDOW (http://www.northernlife.ca/News/Sports/2008/05-22-08-bannisterTOP.asp?NLStory=05-22-08-bannisterTOP)