Interview With Former NHL’er and now High School Coach, Shawn McEachern

For many Ottawa Senators hockey fans, the 1996-97 NHL playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres is an unforgettable one. For my younger readers, let me explain one of my strongest memories as a Sens fan. The 7th seed Ottawa Senators took on the 2nd seed Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals. It was a classic very hard back and fourth series. They were in overtime in game 7, just one goal away from pulling off a major upset against their heavily favoured opponent. Sens star centre Alexei Yashin was taking a face off in the Ottawa zone. When he won it, the puck slipped by an unsuspecting Ron Tugnutt, the Sens number 1 goalie in the playoffs. So the series tragically ends with Alexei Yashin putting the puck in his own net. It’s a memory and a dramatic Sens moment that I will never forget.  

I had the pleasure of interviewing Shawn McEachern, the Sens right winger who got two goals in that series. Shawn had an impressive 13-year NHL career. Over that span, he netted 254 goals and got 317 assists for an impressive 571 points. I hope you enjoy my interview with Shawn, a really nice guy who has only fond memories of his time with the Sens. 

1. Do you have special takeaways from your ‘96-97 season with the Sens since it was such a pivotal season for the franchise?                                                                             

(Shawn) 1996-97 was my first season in Ottawa.  Sports Illustrated had called the Senators the worst franchise in sports! We had a great group of guys on the team, a blue collar group.  Jacques Martin, Craig Ramsey and Perry Pearn were really good coaches.  We played a team game and got it rolling -- and made the playoffs in the last game of the season!  Still one of the most fun seasons I had in the NHL. The city of Ottawa was so excited, the atmosphere for the 1st playoff game was crazy. Just a great time to play for the Sens.

2.  What were your thoughts on Palladium/Corel Centre, as it was known back in ‘96, when it                was first opened and was a fresh new build?

     

(Shawn) The building was great! One of the best in the NHL at the time. I really enjoyed living in Kanata and driving a few miles to the rink everyday.

3.  What were your feelings about (Coach) Jacques Martin? As he was in my view a driving force in their improvement through ‘96-2001. 

(Shawn) Jacques was one of the best coaches I’ve ever played for.  He was low key but really knew the game.  I use a lot of what I learned from Jacques today with the team that I am coaching.  I’m not surprised Pittsburgh has had success with Jacques on their coaching staff.  He’s also a good person.

4.  Was there anything you struggled with or were frustrated with while playing with the Sens that you’d like to share? Or any significant struggles you had in your hockey career?  

(Shawn) I think everyone has struggles in their career. Playing hockey in the NHL is so much fun.  But it's also very competitive.  Playing in a Canadian market there’s more pressure to perform. I loved that about Ottawa! But when you slump, it’s front page news -- so it can be tough, but that's what we signed up for.  

5.  Do you have any suggestions for the Sens this season as they seem to be faltering a bit?

(Shawn) I don't follow the Sens that much but I do root for them and especially Brady Tkachuk.  His Dad was my line mate at Boston University and Brady played at Boston University so I look to see how he's doing.

6.  How did you find your transition from NHL to being a coach at a private school? Were there lessons you learned in the NHL that you pass along to your players today?

(Shawn) I pass along everything I learned from the coaches I played for and players I played with in the NHL.  It's been a great transition and a fun way to stay in the game.  

Interviewing Former NHL’er Blake Dunlop

 Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Blake Dunlop. Recognize the name? If not, here’s some info about him. 

 Blake Dunlop was born in 1953 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the Ottawa area. Blake was an outstanding hockey player, he played four season with the Ottawa 67’s, leading the league in points in the 1972-73 season. In the 1973 NHL draft, he was picked 18th overall by the Minnesota North Stars. After being traded the the St. Louis Blues in 1979, Blake started to experience his most successful NHL years. After five great years with the Blues, Blake was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where he would retire after one season with them in 1984. Throughout his career Blake played 550 NHL games, getting 130 goals  and 274 assist for an impressive 404 career NHL points. 

 I’d like to thank Blake for taking the time to answer these question for me, it is greatly appreciated. Now sit back, relax, maybe grab a coffee (or another beverage...) and enjoy the interview. 

1- Many NHL players give a lot of credit to family members or influential coaches that helped them become the player they are today. Do you have anyone that made a big impact in your hockey career? 

(Blake) Yes, there are always a number of people who become instrumental in you development and opportunity. Starting as a youngster it was my parents who gave me the introduction to hockey and also provided the time, energy and finances necessary to travel and compete not only in Ottawa where i grew up but across Ontario and Quebec as well. Then it was an individual, Grant Macintosh that provided the funding for the team I played for from Pee Wee up to the local JR.A level, affording me the place to show and develop my skills. Bill Long, my major JR. A coach was the one who gave me the most opportunity and helped me develop into a leader and a scoring champion through the crucial growing years of age 16-19. During my professional career, Pat Quinn, Bob McCammon in Philadelphia and Red Berenson in St. Louis were the coached that taught and brought out the best in me as a player!

2- Between 1973-1978 you got shifted around quite a bit between the NHL, AHL and CHL. And then between 1980-1982 you were a point per game player with the St. Louis Blues. What kept you motivated and do you have any advice for a young player trying to make that jump to starting his NHL career?

(Blake) I had suffered a couple of serious injuries (knee, hamstring tear) early in my NHL career that held me back but I was determined to prove that I was a quality player of NHL caliber. I had great success as the MVP in the AHL so I felt with hard work and the right opportunity I could succeed. The flyers gave me that chance and from there my career blossomed even further when I was given a bigger offensive role with the blues. Persistent, hard work and dedication to hockey are the most important qualities for any young person striving to succeed. 

3- You’ve had a lot of achievements throughout your career. Being drafted 18th overall in 1973, getting the Fred. T Hunt memorial award and the Lee Cunningham award in 1978 and the Bill Masterson trophy in 1981. What would you say is your greatest achievement in hockey?

(Blake) Winning the Bill Masterson trophy and being recognized for sportsmanship perseverance and dedication to hockey in the best league in the world was a great honour for me!

4- The years you played there were some of the best players to ever hit the ice in the NHL. In the 1980-81 season you were 20th in points. How did it feel to be in the top 20 in the league alongside big names such as Wayne Gretzky, Marcel Dionne and Mike Bossy. 

(Blake) It was exciting and rewarding for my career to finally reach that level of success that I had worked so hard to achieve and to be recognized or included with the group you mentioned was an honour. 

5- You retired after the 1983-84 season. How was life after retirement? Did you have any other goals or aspirations that you followed after you NHL career?

(Blake) Yes, I entered into the investment management business, right out of hockey in 1984 with AG Edwards and have had a very exciting, successful 34 career and counting! I have been blessed and now have my son, Connor as a partner in our thriving business. Thanks

 So there you have it! An outstanding NHL career and a great life after hockey. Thank you Blake for answering my interview question and I hope you all enjoyed it.