Family Ties
By Dylan Purcell
rLethbridge Herald Sports Editor
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rFamily (in particular the brotherly bond) has always played an important role in the history of major junior hockey in Lethbridge. Especially in its incarnation as the Broncos, Lethbridge¹s junior teams have been linked to some impressive sets of siblings.
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rThe easiest to remember is undoubtedly the Sutters – Brian, Duane, Darryl, Brent, Ron and Rich all played junior here for the Broncos. All went on to NHL fame.
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rThey might be the most famous, but Lethbridge¹s history isn¹t complete without mentioning the Ruffs, not just from one branch of the Ruff family tree. In addition to the quartet of Lindy, Randy, Marty and Brent, Lethbridge hosted their cousins, Jason and Gary. Randy was an assistant with the team in the early 80s, something Jason has helped out with the last couple of years.
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rA discussion of brothers can also include Todd and Darin Sceviour. Darin¹s son, Colton is presently plying his trade with the ¹Canes. Don¹t forget Mike and Randy Moller, two who distinguished themselves at several levels of hockey. We¹ve even seen Dean and Steve Tambellini, albeit for a short spell. There have been Dietrichs (Nick and Jacob) and Kings (D.J. and Dwight).
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rKris and Mitch Versteeg are homegrown Lethbridge minor hockey products, while Nick Tarnasky and his younger brother, Neal, are imports from Caroline, Alta.
rNick finished his junior career with the Hurricanes and Neal is hoping to start his soon. All four were in Lethbridge for the annual Lethbridge Hurricanes/Broncos Alumni golf Tournament Friday and they took some time to talk about how special it is to be brothers in arms.
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rLittle brother’s biggest fan
rNick Tarnasky was having a ball at the Lethbridge Hurricanes/Broncos Alumni Golf Tournament. He brought a crew down with him from Caroline, the small town he and younger brother Neal grew up in.
rWith a family friend and his father in tow, Nick arrived in Paradise Canyon like a conquering hero.
rLife is good when you¹re a bona fide NHL regular.
rSo what did the Tampa Bay Lightning forward want to talk about? Little brother Neal, of course.
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r"My brother here, he¹s going to be playing his junior hockey here, hopefully, in the next year or two and he¹s going to come back to this golf tournament for years, too," said Nick. "He¹s been working hard, he¹s getting ready to play." The Hurricanes generally try to avoid bringing their younger players to the annual golf tournament, for reasons any self-respecting tournament regular can understand. The event is less about scores and more about having a little fun and cutting loose on the course.
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rSo naturally, Nick brought Neal, who the ¹Canes selected in the eighth round of the bantam draft last year. But 16-year-old Neal could never see Nick as a bad influence.
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r"I¹m probably a bad influence in some ways," said Nick, who played the last season-and-a-half of his WHL career in Lethbridge in 2003 and 2004. "No, seriously, I think he¹s his own person, you know? He¹s got to make his own decisions about things and honestly, if I was going to be honest, he¹s probably got a little more skill than me." That last comment is just one reason Neal says his older brother is ‘his biggest influence in hockey.’ Another is the way Nick has carved out his NHL career. A ninth-round pick of Tampa, Tarnasky looked like the kind of player who would make a great minor-league farmhand.
rHard work and a steady improvement has seen the 25-year-old log 169 NHL games, including 80 last season.
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r"I definitely look at Nick and hope I can accomplish even half of what he has, he¹s always been supportive of me and he¹s always given me a lot of direction," said Neal. "He¹s done so much for me, it¹s been great to have him as a role model."
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rNick is already lobbying for the Canes to keep Neal around but he was quick to point out that even though they play similar games as defensive forwards, Neal is no clone.
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r"I probably needed to lose 50 pounds (to make it)," laughed 230-pound Nick about his 160-pound brother. "He probably needs to gain it."
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rNick said he was on the road when he caught word that Neal¹s rights were selected by Lethbridge. He said his time in Lethbridge was ‘amazing’ and he was thrilled to think his brother would have a chance at the same kind of experience.
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r"I had so many great people in the organization and so many friends here that I thought it was awesome Neal would be here. you look at the team they¹ve got and he would be a perfect fit for this team. He¹s going to be great."
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rWhile Nick talks him up, Neal just shifts in place and looks at the ground humbly. His loquacious brother just keeps holding court.
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r"I can¹t really tell him what he¹s got to do, he¹s knows what has to be done and he¹s putting in the time to do it. He¹s probably smarter than me anyway." The brothers do agree on one thing: Finding a little time together as a family is precious.
r"I definitely wish he was around more, but I¹m happy for him, so you want him to be playing in the NHL but it¹s nice to see him when there¹s a chance.² ³I have to take every chance I get to spend some time with my dad and Neal and my family. I¹m gone so much that when I can come home at Christmas and here, I try to take them with me as much as possible."
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rVersteegs making their marks
rKris Versteeg is making his mark with the Chicago Blackhawks. Called up for 13 games with the NHL squad, he showed he could play with the big boys, even at five-foot-10. He is in that transitional period where he¹s proven he can play there and is working toward a more consistent role.
rHis younger brother, Mitch, knows what Kris is going through. Mitch was in that spot two seasons ago with the Hurricanes. This year, Mitch found his footing and was a regular in the lineup after he spent the early season healing from a broken wrist.
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rKris, at 22 years old, has had time to reflect on his junior career and said it¹s nice to see "Mitchell" (as he refers to him) enjoy a successful career in his hometown. Kris left the Hurricanes in September 2005 after a conflict with then-coach Lindsay Hofford soured him on the idea of playing here. Kris is quick to point out his problem wasn¹t with the organization and certainly not with the fans. He grew up wanting to play for Lethbridge, and now, he¹s happy to see his brother have that chance.
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r"I loved a lot of my time here, the people were always great to me and that has never changed, even now," said Kris shortly after signing his scorecard at the Hurricanes alumni golf tournament at Paradise Canyon. "But I¹m happy that Mitchell can be here and get a chance to be a part of something special here."
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rOn a Lethbridge team full of fast, flashy players, Mitch is a throwback. The epitome of a stay-at-home defenceman, he also gets called on to swing a few punches, throw some big hits and keep the other team away from the front of his net. Jobs that rarely hog the headlines but are always appreciated by coaches and fans. Two seasons ago, he was in and out of the lineup but as the 2007-08 ¹Canes drove to an Eastern Conference title, Mitch was called on a lot by head coach Mike Dyck.
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r"Definitely, I was happy to be out there in a lot of situations, show that I can do some different things. It was great that the coaches thought I could play as much as I did," he said. "But you know, you just go out there and play and hope they like what you do. I think I was ready for it more this year than maybe in the past."
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rThe two work out together during the summer, and Kris has found that time together means a little more now that he¹s playing across the continent.
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r"I think you have to treasure that time," said Kris. "I don¹t know if you always do but especially now, when I¹m not around, it makes it that much more special."
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rAccording to Kris, Mitch is more like their dad. Roy Versteeg coached his sons at various times during their minor hockey days in Lethbridge. Roy is still active in the local hockey community.
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r"They¹re definitely more alike. Me and my dad butted heads a little more than Mitchell ever did," laughed Kris. "But you know, my dad was never one to scream and yell or push us. He would give us straight talk if we asked the questions, but he never forced us to do anything."
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r"I think we both owe a lot to him that he was never like that." Six-foot-one Mitch just smiles and nods at that, just one more difference (along with at least four inches in height) between these brothers. The talkative, blonde-haired Kris stands in striking contrast to brown-haired, quiet Mitch.
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r"We don¹t play the same style, or the same position, obviously," chuckled Mitch, "but I think I try to work as hard as he does and we push each other when we¹re working out. I don¹t think we¹re as different as people think."