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Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2013.55.138 B |
Object Name |
Video Recording |
Title |
Brad Park Interview |
Scope & Content |
Brad Park interview, 11 September 2008. Digitized MP4 from Sony 40 Advanced ME DVCAM. Two videos with a total viewing time of 00:45:00. 1 of 2; 01:10The thought of losing is always there but don't dwell on it, deal with it after, not before; that series proved it isn't over until it's over 02:03On being one of the best defensemen in the game: at the start of his career he just hoped he was good enough to play professional; never thought he would be an all-star; a learning process, learning how to be a professional, what you have to do day in and day out, you never look back, you always look ahead 03:25On his legacy: people who saw them play would have better information than someone who has never seen him play 04:31Original six vs. expansion: was with the Rangers, had to crack the original 6 lineup, talent was immense; had to have a dislike for opponents and play as hard as you can against them, never socialized with the other team 05:48On his opponents: way they were brought up, talks about junior teams and staying with that team when professional, if team didn't have place for a good player they buried him in the minors, not a lot of trades happened then 06:40His first goal: talks about his first goal, 9th goal in the game, his boyhood dream had been to get an NHL goal 07:32Things that stand out: backtracking on his career - being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, more excited for his parents; the second year he and Bobby Orr were first team all-stars; Orr started to revolutionize the game by jumping into the offense and he followed, brought in free-wheeling game into being, the game was more wide-open; getting named to the All-Star Team in his second year very special; getting to be Captain in New York at 24, didn't want it but did his best with it, he was educated by the older players; traded to Boston and getting to play with Orr for 10 games; being the veteran passing on his knowledge; never won a Stanley Cup but in 17 years never missed a playoff 11:07On not winning the Cup: just a matter of being a team guy and trying to get everybody going in the right direction and accomplish the things you are supposed to accomplish 11:48On his draft position: was with Toronto Marlies at 14-15, watched Orr playing Junior A, he was not on anyone's radar, last year of the 16-year old draft, went to New York second overall, read about it in the paper, while in training camp had to negotiate his own contract, got $10,000 for the first year 14:06Summit Series: was 3 hours from going to the WHA, on first All-Star Team again; got call from Sinden, the carrot was to go to a Communist country to see, at 24 did not think of consequences of decision, going to represent my country and prove we are superior hockey players; after the first game in Montreal realized it was going to be a tough accomplishment, he and Esposito were the only 2 who played all the games plus the 2 in Sweden and the game in Prague and the inter squad games 16:00On team discussions: in the morning skate watched the Russians play, how they skated; at the end of the first period in Game 1 knew they were in trouble, they came in waves, their conditioning was not there, first game was an eye-opener 17:05On the strategy: the mature guys were the only ones who bantered with each other; Harry Sinden never panicked, was all business, knew they had to rebound in Toronto and shut them down, got physical in Toronto and had a victory, lost the game in Winnipeg and in Vancouver got hammered on the ice and off the ice 18:32Mood going into the last games: went to Sweden and spent a lot of time as a team, no outside influences, hung together on the road, not distractions; in Moscow you knew you were in a different setting, lost Game 5 but it was the first game they controlled large sections of each period, even on the bigger ice; Harry said "This isn't over. This is shift by shift. Period by period. Just concentrate on this shift." 20:44Game 8: knew the officiating was bad, no use yelling about it, have to overcome it, deal with the situation you are in; feel the tension and pressure; after 2 periods they were down 5-3, the game plan had been to tie the game and get out of town, then they were told the Russians were going to claim victory because they scored more goals, because of that they didn't sit back, Henderson scored the final goal, a storybook ending 23:20Afterwards in the locker room: jubilation, total relief, drained, "most emotional roller coaster any of us ever had", they had 5-10 minutes alone before the press and dignitaries came in and they just looked at each other and knew we accomplished something 24:31On being spent: wanted to do more but too tired, knew it was over and the people in Canada were ecstatic, told before the game that Canada was shut down to watch the game, lot of pressure 25:20On book naming the series as the Number 1 moment in Canadian sport: reason is because hockey is the national past time and the whole country could unite behind something; this was the Cold War; personal pride we had of being Canadian and the personal pride that the people in Canada had, in what we had accomplished made it something special 26:34Did the game change: it did; everybody took something from the series; discusses power plays being on the off-side and saw the benefits of doing this; still a puck control game 28:06On the more physical game: realized Russians had upper body strength, guys started to work out more, the morning skate was now in full equipment and for a longer time; (29:28) for the better? Not sure about that, best players play more do don't need to skate as much in the mornings; smart coaches don't try to burn them out 30:01Named one of Canada's players of the game: wanted the team with him 31:30On still being opponents: could hit them as hard as he used to, before he hit them so hard he hurt them, knew them now; knew what good guys they were and commitment they had, would still hit them but not with the vengeance he used to; everybody went their own way, talked together a little bit 32:48Memories of the experience: never got to enjoy it for a long time together, talks about return to Canada and the welcomes they had, seeing his mother in the crowd at one of the celebrations; the next day they dispersed to their teams and training camps 34:05On reunions: talks about documentary on DVD and how it brought the emotions back; (34:43) seems harder to do now than it did then, was younger then, not looking at the consequences, knew they were walking a tightrope, when young just do what you have to do 36:05On his stats as leading defensive scorer: held record but passed by others; proud of that because Jean Beliveau had held the record before him 37:00Other guys that stand out: Jean Ratelle 2 of 2; 00:00(continues from previous tape) he learned playing against the New York veterans and talks about them 00:55On being named one of top 100 players: never put things up in his house, wanted his kids to know him as Dad, not a hockey player 01:44On playing for Don Cherry: talks about his coaches - Emile Francis was the most organized, Don Cherry was the best motivator and Harry Sinden was a combination of both; Don was a character, knew how to motivate guys, paid attention to the smaller guys not just the stars on the team; when he coaches kids today he uses some of that philosophy 03:44Parting thoughts: if you are an athlete you are doing something you love, people think of you as a celebrity but if you ever think of yourself as a celebrity you are not a true hockey player 04:36Introduction to Hall 04:56Why play sport: because you win and you lose and if you don't realize what the difference is and learn how to handle each in the best way you're not going to fulfill yourself as a person 05:50Sport affects life: being involved in sport, especially team sport, makes you aware of the people around you and how much you need them in order to succeed and that's just part of everyday life 06:25What makes a winner: somebody that's not afraid to compete 06:38Define success: you are successful if you enjoy what you are doing 06:56Advice to young children: if you are going to play any type of sport never think about the end consequences and if you are going to be a professional because if you are not having fun it's not worth it 07:22Anything else to add: never think ahead too long |
Year Range from |
1968 |
Year Range to |
1975 |
People |
Park, Brad Orr, Bobby |
Search Terms |
Interview Brad Park Ice hockey NHL New York Rangers Boston Bruins Detroit Red Wings 1972 Summit Series |