Steve’s Webb: How a network of Petes propelled the right winger to off-ice success
“The things at sixteen have influenced my life and continue to impact my life,” Steve Webb recalls as he sits in his hotel room in Dublin, Ireland. This is his second stop on a tour of China, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany for NHL international games and Ireland as a member of the world player development steering committee, focused on competitive athletes’ transition to the working world.
The former Pete currently holds the title of Divisional Player Representative with the NHLPA. From player to executive, Webb forged his path to the NHLPA via a well-developed network of Long Islanders and Petes alumni.
“I loved the network I had at the time I really wanted to stay in the New York market – I really liked the pace of life and the Long Island community I lived in. I was originally considering getting into the finance world.”
Webb’s relationship with the Island initiated when he joined their NHL team in 1997. The right winger completed eight seasons with the blue, orange and white before retiring upon the 2004-05 lockout. From here, he joined the organization in developing their grassroots programs at the youth hockey level and working in the individual development of the organization’s draft picks. During Webb’s playing career another Peterborough native and Petes alumnus Steve Larmer was heavily involved in the NHLPA.
“When I was fulfilling my new role with the Islanders, there happened to be a new opportunity that was coming about within the organization for former players in certain market places. Because of my relationship with Steve and his introductions of me to everyone in the office over my years of playing, I had built really strong relationships in the organization.”
Two years after his gig with the Islanders, Webb started at the NHLPA.
“They approached me and the opportunity to stay in the New York market and become a member of the NHLPA.” Although Steve’s roots lay in the Patch, he maintains an affinity for New York’s high speed.
Before playing pro, life on the Island and the NHLPA, Steve Webb was a member of Canadian Hockey Enterprises throughout the summer and as a Pete during the winter from 1993-95.
“A lot of these [Peterborough] guys had an influence on and in my career. That group, growing up, Brent Tully was there, Corey Stillman, Jamey Hicks, Mark Freer and Andrew Verner. You were surrounded by this group of guys who had the same goals in life.”
Moreover, he detailed how the bubble of saturated on ice talent served as a catapult to professionalism.
“That was the environment we were in as young adults going to play hockey, then you basically had mentors above you who influenced the environment of the company, then you had Craig Ramsay there and Doug Gibson.”
He continued on, explaining, “All these guys were telling you what the world looked like coming at you. It was such a great, positive experience. So here I was working at a company that was helping me develop into my future self; it was a pretty important time.”
This tank of hockey minds stressed the importance of friendly competition and cemented a group of mentors who led Steve to his current status.
Understanding the importance of building relationships at sixteen, then in his twenties, has led Steve to his current position – divisional player representative – someone required to be a connector and strong communicator. Formally, he helps players determine the best professional options while they are in the NHL and as they exit.
“I really love helping people navigate through the complicated waters of their careers and try to maximize that and respect that it could be short or it could be long. I’ve always been that way since I worked in player development and as a teenager at CHE.”
Webb, who maintained the reputation for being a tough guy across fifteen professional seasons, expresses a sincere softness in assessing the impact of his current career.
“That is why I love this career, the human development aspect of career transition that I get to participate in. Those are the areas I really love focusing on, the ones that will maximize their opportunities.”
Steve continues to confront Petes throughout his career. Sometimes he faces those whom he has deep respect for, like Kris King, Colin Campbell and Kay Whitmore, in challenging conversations.
“They represent a constituency, you represent a constituency, they see it a certain way, and you see it a certain way. You both have a better understanding of each others views, you come to a conclusion, and you move on. It can get complicated at times.”
He continues, “The whole idea of representing players is complicated – it’s not black and white 95% of the time because your decision about one thing might affect one person one way and another another way. There’s a trickle effect every time you make a decision.”
In his pursuit to help, Webb spearheaded a non-profit organization called ‘Team Up for Community’ that focuses on “promoting social responsibility and community giveback through athletics”.
“We use sports as a vehicle to impact the local community we grow up in. We wanted to teach the kids about empathy, giving back and thinking of others first,” explained Webb.
Steve is incredibly proud of his Peterborough roots and is firm that the organization and network that followed is what largely contributed to his current success.
“To a parent with a 16 year old who is deciding to go to major junior or not I would say, ‘You have this great organization. You have this association who is so structured and organized, you are going to have these life long friends and connections.’ It’s pretty powerful stuff.”
