Tag: hockey

Podcast Episode 13: Saying Goodbye to Hockey (Why Cam Retired)

 

Cam Connor discusses why he ended his hockey career and the injuries surrounding that decision, which included a broken back.

Questions and topics include:
-Why did it take two years for Cam’s broken back to be diagnosed by team doctors?
-What happens when a player retires?
-What, if any, player reached out to him once he left the game.
-The transition from professional hockey to the ‘real world’ and the lack of services and support for players making that transition back then.
-Why can’t some players make the transition away from hockey?
-What was it like that last time he met Gordie Howe (when Howe was 82 years old)?
-Cam discusses Kris Russell accidentally scoring in his own team’s net and if that ever happened before to a teammate on his team?
-A quick check-in to see how Cam’s prediction that the Las Vegas Golden Knights will make the playoffs is faring.
-Another missed opportunity, Cam talks about the time he was asked (in 1981) to invest in this new product called…rollerblades/inline skates and he turned it down.
-Some stories of his public speaking events, including when he got locked inside a maximum security prison for hours to speak with 12 men convicted of murder!

Email: viewfromthepenaltybox@gmail.com
Twitter: CamConnorNHL

Podcast Episode 9: Edmonton Oilers (Part 1)

 

Cam Connor also played for the Edmonton Oilers during their rookie NHL year and with a team of future all stars.

The episode starts with reading some feedback from listeners and answering listener questions, including tips on fighting and how Cam became an Assistant Coach for the New Haven Nighthawks.

Other topics include:
-The importance of media training and public speaking for the top hockey stars
-Cam’s multiple injuries playing for the Edmonton Oilers
-What got Cam in hot water during his time in Edmonton
-Why Cam may be the only professional athlete to skip team picture day (and why he regrets that now)
-What was Glen Sather like as a coach?
-How was the team received in its first year?

Email: Viewfromthepenaltybox@gmail.com
Twitter: CamConnorNHL

Podcast Episode 8: New York Rangers (Part 2)

Finishing up Cam’s time with the New York Rangers.

Cam shares stories about:
-Phil Esposito and what he learned from playing with him
-A hilarious story about calling the wrong number (don’t want to give away the story)
-Thoughts on John Davidson and the pranks Cam would play on him
-Cam’s memories of the NY Rangers, New York fans and playing in Madison Square Gardens
-Why he got sent to the minors and how he dealt with it
-Playing for the New Haven Nighthawks and why he rejected being the captain of the team
-Playing for the Tulsa Oilers, a team that only played away games, but ending up winning the championship
-Tales of an epic fight that ended with both hockey players and fans in handcuffs and a gun being pulled
-Finally, we share the time Cam’s son showered with a supermodel

Twitter: CamConnorNHL
Email: viewfromthepenaltybox@gmail.com

Episode 7: New York Rangers (Part 1)

Cam talks about his time playing for the New York Rangers and what is was like to live in New York in 1980s (including meeting Madonna and another mafia run in).

Topics include:
-Finding out he was traded to New York (over the radio!)
-Telling Glen Sather the last place he wanted to play was in New York
-How wrong he was about New York and how it was an amazing place to live
-Cam finding out that coach Fred Shero actually meant to trade for Colin Campbell not Cam Connor!
-What it was like to play for coaches Fred Shero and Herb Brooks
-How Craig Patrick as the new General Manager was not great for Cam
-Thoughts on teammates Tom Laidlaw and Ron Duguay
-An emotional story that chokes Cam up to tell about a rink attendant named Tony with the short leg

Stay Tuned for Part 2 where Cam discusses Phil Esposito, Don Maloney, John Davidson, getting sent to the minor leagues for the first time in his career and Cam shares a story about a fan who pulled a gun during a game which led to chaos and even hockey players leaving in handcuffs.

Twitter: CamConnorNHL
Email: viewfromthepenaltybox@gmail.com

Episode 6: Montreal Canadiens (Part 2)

Part 2 discusses Cam’s time with the Montreal Canadiens. We cover some fascinating topics including:

-Pranks while in the lockerroom and who was the prankster of the Canadiens?
-What cringeworthy thing did Cam do to former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, after the Habs won the Cup?
-What’s it like to win the Cup, especially in Montreal?
-Cam discusses his well-known double OT goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs (over the Toronto Maple Leafs)
-The controversy of Cam’s name not being on the Stanley Cup
-Playing with the Habs Alumni legends team at the first Heritage Classic

Next week is everything New York Rangers!

Twitter: CamConnorNHL
Email: viewfromthepenaltybox@gmail.com

Episode 5: Montreal Canadiens (Part 1)

Cam discusses what it was like to play for the Montreal Canadiens during their dynasty years and with 9 legendary hockey players that ended up making the Hockey Hall of Fame.

-What was it like to play in Montreal?
-How did Cam end up back in Montreal after choosing to play in the WHA?
-What were the fans like?
-Was it intimidating to play next to such legends?
-Stories about Guy Lafleur, Scotty Bowman, Ken Dryden and most of the 1978-79 Habs roster.

Cam also shares stories of his friend and teammate George McPhee and predicts how the new Las Vegas Golden Knights team will do in their first year.

He shares a side story about living in New York, including witnessing a John Gotti mob hit (against Paul Castellano).

Stay tuned for Part 2 which is a can’t miss episode where Cam describes what it’s like to win the Cup, scoring the double overtime goal and what he did to former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, in the Montreal Canadiens lockerroom after winning the Stanley Cup!

Twitter: @CamConnorNHL
Email: viewfromthepenaltybox@gmail.com

Episode 4 – Rowdy Roddy Piper (Part 2: Saying Goodbye)

Cam first answers some questions from the listeners:

-Who is the best enforcer/fighter past or present in the NHL?
-What was it like hanging out with Andre the Giant?

Cam then continues his remembrance of his friendship with Roddy Piper, including:

-How they lost touch and reconnected.
-What did Cam think of Pipers Pit?
-What did Cam think of Rod pursuing acting and They Live?
-The time when John Cena threatened to kick Cam’s ass and what did Cam end up doing?
-The last time Cam spoke with Rod
-Kris shares some stories of hanging out with Rod and Cam just one month before Rod’s passing

Next episode is back to hockey talk.

Episode 1 – Dave Semenko Tribute & Why Cam chose the WHA over the Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

Welcome to the first episode of the View from the Penalty Box with former NHL hockey player Cam Connor. This episode is a quick introduction of what the View from the Penalty Box with Cam Connor is all about.

Cam discusses the recent passing of Dave Semenko; why Cam chose the WHA over the NHL/Montreal Canadiens; and talks about playing junior hockey in Flin Flon, Manitoba.

Email: viewfromthepenaltybox@gmail.com
Twitter: CamConnorNHL