Affectionately called ‘Obie,” the Growlers winger  is this year’s MVP and the team’s top scorer (78 points with three regular season games remaining as of press time).  The affable St. John’s raised hometown hockey hero opened by offering that this has been “one unique season.”

“We’ve been through a lot as a team with COVID and injuries and being in lockdown, but at the end of the day, I feel like it just brought us together as a team more. We’re like a family now and everyone plays for each other and wants each other to be successful,” he said. The team has the winning formula, he added. “It’s a really fun group of guys, a mix of young and old and I’m one of the old guys now. At 29 years old, I’m the old guy, but we have a really fun group and we’re really looking forward to playoffs,” he said. 

Not that things haven’t been tough, he admits, particularly the call up of goalie Keith Petruzzelli. “This year has been so crazy with call ups (to the Marlies/AHL) and injuries and everything but the guys (goaltenders Chase Perry and Angus ‘Beef’ Redmond) have been able to kind of step in and join our group. We try to make it as easy as possible for  them and just make them comfortable and they’ve been doing a great job so far.” 

There’s a contingent of Newfoundlanders on the team that have played together for years. Does being from ‘home’ and playing at home make a difference, we ask. “Growing up, when I moved away at 17 or 18, I never really thought I was going to be able to get the chance to play at home again. Now with players like (James) Melindy and Marcus Power, it just feels perfect. And I obviously love playing here. During the game I look into the stands and I’ll always find a friend or family member there watching every single night, which is pretty cool, and it’s definitely a blessing to be able to play professional hockey at home.” 

We ask about the come-from-away contingent of players, and O’Brien shared that “they’ve embraced this place.”

“Todd Skirving, whatever’s going on in the community, if it has to do with the Growlers, Todd is there. For him to do that, to take time out after being on a road trip for 10 days with eight games and he will come home the next day and Todd’s out doing something for the community, so he definitely deserves a shout out there, and a lot of guys follow his lead when it comes to that.”

The best part? It’s something Todd loves to do, he added.  “He’s a special person and he’s been having a great season on the ice as well. So I’m really happy for Todd and he’s a big part of this group.” 

Another big part of the team was Buddy the Puffin/Chris ‘Abbo” Abbott. “He was just always such a positive guy. Days where maybe you didn’t want to come to the rink, you’d see Abbo and hear him yelling and screaming something and you’d find a way to put a smile on your face. He was a massive part of hockey in Newfoundland, and you can see how many people he touched. He was an amazing person and he left a lot of great memories for everyone, and it’s very sad we lost him.” 

As for the games ahead (three left before the playoffs when we spoke) the team just tries “to get better every game,” he said. “Every game means a lot as we push for a playoff spot.  We got to start really dialing it in and just trying to get better every single day, whether it’s practice or a game. Do whatever it takes to win.”

This, he added, is “the best time of the year” for a player. 

“It seemed like such a long year with everything that’s gone on, so we’re just looking forward to playoffs.”

This week, it’s wellness Gill Whelan style, Hockey Hall-of-Famer Danielle Goyette makes ECHL history with the NL Growlers, in conversation with Ben Cleary, one of Atlantic Canada’s top journalist, and learn about the art of unpolished living in Grates Cove!

What a year 2021 has been! The holiday season will be a welcome break for everyone. Stirling Communications (NTV, OZFM and The Newfoundland Herald)  just celebrated our 23rd annual Teddy Toss this month, with tens of thousands of bears and gift baskets being distributed to families in need across the province of Newfoundland  and Labrador. 

A holiday tradition

It’s a sweet legacy of giving back to the community, and creating a fun night with a higher purpose. 

The idea of a “Teddy Toss” came to me at a St. John’s Maple Leafs game at the old Memorial Stadium, when I saw a bunch of paper airplanes sailing onto the ice as part of a contest and thought: what if those paper airplanes were teddy bears, and given to kids who aren’t getting anything for the holidays. No child should be without a toy on Christmas. The Salvation Army stepped up to manage distribution, and package the bears with other essentials like blankets and food stuffs. The rest is history. 

For a time I actually thought I invented the Teddy Toss concept, until finding out another minor league hockey team in BC had successfully pulled off the same concept earlier. Independent minds coming to the same idea. Pretty cool. Now it’s a holiday tradition all across North America – teddy bears being thrown out onto the ice at hockey games to give to the less fortunate. 

Funny that we were one of the very first in the world to do it, right here in St. John’s. Newfoundlanders have a track record of giving more to charity (per capita) than any other province in Canada. This heartwarming generosity goes on display every year – whether it’s the Teddy Toss or the Janeway Telethon. It’s just awe-inspiring. 

A Christmas miracle

To finish the story: on that first Teddy Toss night, I was so worried that no one would bring a bear. Even though we had advertised the event on NTV, OZFM and in The Newfoundland Herald, the hockey team wasn’t doing great (games weren’t selling out), people were busy with other seasonal activities, and the concept was new. Moreover, a huge snowstorm hit St. John’s the night of the first Toss. 

A half hour before game time, the stadium was practically empty with nary a teddy to be found. I felt defeated, deflated, and like I was going to cry.

Well, what happened next was a Christmas miracle. Thousands of people streamed into the stadium, almost every one of them holding a teddy bear to throw onto the ice. The game was a sell out, with the home team scoring the winning goal in a thrilling last-second manner. The Salvation Army band played beautiful Christmas carols, families were rejoicing and singing along, Buddy the Puffin was doing his thing and a Newfoundland Christmas tradition was born.

After the game, I delivered the footage we took of the event back to NTV. Right as I was walking into the Master Control Room at the television station, the MCR (Master Control Room) phone rang. It was my grandfather, Hall of Fame broadcaster and station owner Geoff Stirling! Geoff had taken a real interest in the promotion and wanted to know how the evening unfolded. 

‘How was the Toss’

“How was the Toss, buddy? Did anyone bring a bear?“ Geoff asked. As I described the magic of the night, Geoff further inquired: “Do you have footage?” When I answered in the affirmative, he joyfully exclaimed, “Well, give it to the MCR operator, man! What are you waiting for?” 

On NTV’s first commercial break we aired the two minute clip (with some scrolling text giving the footage context). Geoff was so thrilled. I don’t think my grandfather was ever prouder of me; I could hear it in his voice. Geoff concluded: “Close your eyes right now, buddy.” I did. 

‘A big responsibility’

“Never forget this moment. This event showed that advertising with our media works; it has real power. And it’s a big responsibility to always use this power for good, and to give back to the community,” he said.

Well, I have never forgotten that moment. And I’ve always tried to use the power of our local media for good – to reflect the beauty of the province back onto itself. Newfoundland and Labrador is a special place to live, and it’s by having each others’ backs that we get through tough times. Teamwork makes the dream work. 

Keep being good people! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.