Lucky Lowe?
Oilers trainers leading charmed hockey lives
By TERRY JONES, EDMONTON SUN
TORONTO -- You know Canada has a lucky loonie under the ice there somewhere for tonight's World Cup of Hockey semi-final against the Czech Republic. But when it comes to good luck charms, Canada has back-up.
Lucky Barrie Stafford. And loonie Ken Lowe. Or is it the other way around?
Stafford and Lowe have never not made it to the final on any assignment involving Team Canada.
Stafford has five gold medals and one silver. Lowe has two gold and a silver.
The two members of the Team Canada support staff were notably not part of the Nagano Olympic project where Canada missed the medals. Wayne Gretzky made it part of the condition of his taking over the team for the Salt Lake Olympics that he be allowed to pick the equipment manager and trainer.
"That was the one we didn't do,'' said Stafford of the Edmonton Oiler pair Bobby Clarke deciding to not take to Nagano in order to go with people from other organizations.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
Stafford was part of the Salt Lake Olympic gold medal team which ended a 50-year gold medal drought since the Edmonton Mercurys won it in 1952. He was also with the 1994 world championship team which ended a 33-year span since the Trail Smoke Eaters had last won it in 1961.
The former U of A Golden Bear who was with the Oilers for all five Stanley Cups, was also part of the Canada Cup championship teams of '84, '87 and '91.
The silver came from finishing second with Canada at the first World Cup of Hockey eight years ago.
"That was probably the most disappointed I've ever been in hockey,'' he said. "Either that or when Steve Smith scored on his own net and Calgary took that Stanley Cup away from us. Losing in '96 just devastated us.
"That still stands out in my mind. That's the only time I ever saw Glen Sather stuck for words, he was so disappointed. All he could get out when it was over and he stood in the middle of the dressing room was 'You guys deserved better.' ''
Lowe, the team trainer, said losing to the Americans in '96 still hurts.
"We dominated. The shots were like 41-19.''
Lowe, who won a Grey Cup in his first year as an Eskimos' trainer in '82 and a Stanley Cup in his first year as Oilers' trainer in '90, a gold medal for the first time in 33-years as a first-time trainer with the '94 world championship team and a gold medal for the first time in 50-years in his first time as Olympic team trainer, curses the silver at the first World Cup of Hockey because he'd have otherwise have run the table in rookie trainers titles.
If you're not big on the good luck charm thing, you have to admit the two are as qualified team temperature-takers as anybody you're going to find.
'I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED'
"When I saw the lineup with 10 new players on the team, I was a little concerned about how we might do with this group,'' said Stafford.
"But when you get to meet these young guys, like Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Vinnie Lacavalier and Jay Bouwmeester, when you watch them in practice and see them play, you figure out fast that they are very special players.
"There's been a changing of the guard that's probably taken a lot of Canadians by surprise as well. These players are the real thing.
"And they are all so excited every day to be in here. It's fun to watch Lecavalier sitting next to Mario Lemieux.
"I think back to '87 when Mario was there with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier feeding off them and learning how to win.
"This team is such a treat to work with. To me, this team has been the best to work with of them all. The attitude in the locker room and the mix in personalities is exceptional. It's a pleasure to be here every day. To be part of this team has been a privilege.
"Neither myself nor Kenny will forget when Wayne called us over in New York when we were there with the Oilers to ask if we'd come back and work for Team Canada at the Olympics. We were like giddy little kids. Wow.''
Lowe said Gretzky said he wanted winners.
"He told us he believed success was important in every area of the team. You want coaches, players, and people on the support staff who know what it takes to win.''
Stafford says they might not be lucky loonies but they damn sure feel fortunate.
"I feel I've been blessed. I've been with this team for some of the greatest games ever played in hockey history. I'll always treasure that. We've had so many special moments that will last a lifetime.''
They'd both like to believe they're about to experience another one.
