CBC Radio Pre-Olympic Interviews
================================

Here are some interview that I used for a number
of radio interviews that I had previewing women's
hockey in the Olympics.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
==================

Mon Feb 9 1998:
  6:00 am Toronto             Host: Ted
  6:20 am Sudbury             Host: Markus
  6:45 am Thunder Bay         Host: Lisa
  7:00 am Winnipeg, MB        Host: Terry
  7:20 am Fredricton, NB      Host: Barb
  8:00 am Regina, SK          Host: Paul
  8:20 am Ottawa              Host: John
  8:30 am Yellowknife, NWT    Host: Peter
  8:45 am Windsor             Host: Paul
  9:15 am Prince George, BC   Host: Laura

Tue Feb 10 1998:
  7:40 am Moncton             Host: Brent

Tue Feb 17 1998:
  11:45 am Vancouver          Host: Mark

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS
===================

(1) What the Olympics means to women's hockey

I think that most importantly, it gives credibility to the sport.  It
makes people realize that women can play hockey, and can play it well.

I think the increased awareness in the sport will mean that we'll see
more and more young girls taking up the sport.

I think the fact that there are so many positive role models in women's
hockey (such as Cassie Campbell, and Manon Rheaume), parents will be
more willing to let their daughters play.  Hopefully some of the old
stereotypes about it being too physical/rough and masculine will be shed.

Olympics has raised the profile of women's hockey.  There has been
great coverage (TV, Newspaper, Radio, Internet) and athletes are
etting endorsements (TV commercials, product promotion).  There is
also a women's professional league starting up.

(2) Everyone is used to the NHL style of hockey.  How is the style
    of women's hockey different to men's hockey?

I think the biggest difference is that there is no intentional body
checking allowed in the women's game.   This doesn't mean that there
isn't any contact in the women's game ... just no blatant hits.

I think that not having body checking adds to the game in terms of the
skill level and finesse.  There isn't so much clutching and grabbing,
and holding along the boards, which in my opinion often slows down the
game.

The lack of body checking also means that the defense have to be more
skilled.  They can't rely on a hit to take the puck away from someone.
Instead they have to poke check the puck away from their opponent, or
ride their opponent off into the boards.

I also like the fact that all of the players are most definitely
playing solely because of their love of the game.  Women's hockey
definitely doesn't have the big money contracts of the NHL;
in fact, usually the women must pay to play!

(3) People are not as familiar with the women's hockey players.
    Who should we be looking out for on Team Canada?

I think you can expect things from Jayna Hefford (fast and amazing
scoring touch) and Hayley Wickenheiser (strong and has a great shot) on
forward.  They have produced a lot for Team Canada in the exhibition
play leading up to the Olympics.  The French connection of Danielle
Goyette and Nancy Drolet have also produced in the past.

Geraldine Heaney is strong on defense and offensively.
Therese Brisson is also very steady on defense and has a great shot.

Both goalies, Lesley Reddon and Manon Rheaume, are very strong too.

Canada has a lot of depth across all four lines.  They have a lot of
experienced veterans who should be able to keep the players relaxed,
even in tight situations.

(4) Who is our biggest competition?  Can we expect to see a
    Canada-USA final again?

USA is our biggest competition without a question.  Based on the
exhibition play leading up to the Olympics, things are going to be
close.  In the exhibition play, Canada won 7 games, and USA won 6.
USA took their first-ever gold medal from Canada by winning the
Three Nations Cup in December.

I think we'd be kidding ourselves if we thought that Canada is going to
walk away with the gold medal easily.  That may have been relatively
true a few years ago, but the gap is definitely closing.  Based on the
results of the exhibition series between USA and Canada, it could go
either way at the Olympics.  It will depend on which country comes to
play, on a given day.

Finland could also give Canada a run for their money.  They surprised
Canada in the semi-final of the 1997 World Championship.  They're
a team that doesn't give up easy.

China is also strong, and if they can keep the game close by playing
a tight defensive game, and then surprise Canada with a quick goal,
you never know what could happen.  They have a hot goalie.

Sweden surprised Canada in an exhibition game with a tie of 1-1.
Canada won't be able to take them lightly.

Canada beat Japan 13-0 in the first game.

(5) Danielle Goyette's father dying. [He died on Friday, and she played
    really well in Canada's opening game, scoring 3 goals.]

It must be really hard for her, I can only imagine.

I think it's impressive that she has been able to stay poised and to
keep playing through this.  She certainly has a lot of mental
toughness.  It must take a lot to set her emotions and grief aside
and to keep playing.

I would guess that she's probably playing for her dad at this point, and
I'm sure he'd want to see her go through with her Olympic dream.  If
anything, I think this is probably inspiring her to play even better.

    ---------------- Moncton/Fredricton Interviews ----------------

Expect questions about the players from New Brunswick:

  - Stacy Wilson, forward
  - Kathy McCormack, forward
  - Therese Brisson, defense
  - Lesley Reddon, goalie