Leadership role being played well by Gibbons
Travis Gibbons has earned his iconic status with the 67’s. He’s a star on defence, well respected by his teammates, and a fan favourite as well.
Gibbons, who has played the past three seasons for the 67’s, got his start in the OHL with the Guelph Storm during the 2006-2007 season. Halfway through his third year with the Storm, he was traded to Ottawa.
“It has been the best time of my life in Ottawa,” he said. “The guys are great, the coaching staff is amazing and it’s always a fun time.”
In Guelph, Gibbons played within a highly structured system devised by the Storm’s coaches. With the 67’s, his game is far more freewheeling.
“It was really strict and strategic in Guelph and when I came here it was so much more open and a lot more freedom coming in.”
The London native grew up in a family where hockey was just something that everyone did.
“I come from a hockey playing family so I was kind of just born into it. My dad and my brother both played so it was just given to me and I have just worked my way up from there.”
One of his boyhood pals was Logan Couture, now with the San Jose Sharks.
“I grew up playing with Logan and his mom was actually my teacher growing up so it was great to get to play some of my junior career with him as well.”
As a seasoned veteran, Gibbons plays the role that the A on his jersey suggests.
“I try to be a leader. I’m in my fifth year in the league so I try to do whatever I can to help out the younger guys, or support them when they are down I will take that opportunity and I will try to help them out as much as I can.”
His biggest achievement so far? Showing his teammates and the fans that he belongs in the OHL.
“It was something I always wanted to do, especially growing up and watching the London Knights play, and then finally making it up here has really felt good.”
“I feel like I’m playing really well. We’re starting to come together and it’s probably the best time for it to happen.”
With 20 year-old Gibbons having such an impressive season with 23 points (4 goals, 19 assists) in 35 games, it’s hard to imagine him having any embarrassing moments on the ice. But he admits to one mental lapse.
“I kind of messed up playing against Brampton this season. I forgot to go on the ice at one point in the game and everyone was waiting for me. I was sitting on the bench kind of out to lunch and was screaming at everyone else for someone to get out there as I didn’t realize it was supposed to be me,” he laughed.
The way Gibbons prepares for games also sets him apart.
“I’m pretty calm on the ice. I try to stay as relaxed as possible. Where other players will get really intense and fired up for games, I always try to stay level headed and grounded. Many players cling to their superstitions before games, especially with how they get dressed or hand shakes they do with teammates at any given time. But my main goal is to just remain focused on the task at hand.”
