Jeff Guay knows a thing or two about hockey. Like so many in this area, he grew up eating, sleeping and breathing little else besides hockey. For eight years he played the sport in high school and on a team similar to the Maineiacs, all the while getting to know the ins and outs of what makes a great team and how to recognize talented players. It’s no surprise then that his return to the Maineiacs’ coaching staff after a six-month hiatus has this 37-year-old raring to go and excited about the team’s future.

Job: Primary assistant coach for the Lewiston Maineiacs.

What’s it like being back after a brief break? It’s good to be back on the ice, coaching the kids. These kids are highly skilled, but they still need some guidance and teaching. One on one after practice is very important to the development of these kids.

With the team struggling this season, do you have any drastic plans to turn things around? We changed some stuff in a short period of time already: different teaching systems to teach and execute on the ice; video work with team members one on one.

Hockey has been a big part of your life from playing to coaching. What would you do if the sport didn’t exist? You know what, honestly, I’m not sure. I’m not sure what I’d do. Growing up in the Lewiston-Auburn area — most every boy grows up playing hockey and that’s pretty much their whole life.

New Year’s resolutions? Make the playoffs. That’s what I want to do with the team.

Favorite moments in hockey: I’ve got two to three. Winning the national championship as a player in the USHL (United States Hockey League) in 1992 with the Des Moines Buccaneers (a junior rating similar to Maineiacs). Of course winning the President’s Cup with the Maineiacs. Just lifting that cup over your head is just a feeling you can’t describe. Being part of a team, being together all year, and lifting that trophy over your head with all the players — it’s a feeling you can’t describe. And also that same year participating in the Memorial Cup, which was in Vancouver, British Columbia, was a good experience.

What did you ask Santa for? A Metallica DVD, a new one from their new tour. I’ve seen them 17 times; I went to go see them in January in Boston, Montreal in September and before I
started back last month I went to see them in Albany, N.Y.

All-time favorite hockey players: Ray Bourque and Paul Coffey. Paul Coffey played on a lot of teams, but really when he was with the Edmonton Oilers.

Is there weather that’s too cold for you? I’d say no, I’m used to it, but it’s colder in Val d’Or and Rouyn Noranda, Canada. When you walk on the snow up there it is like walking on fortune cookies. They don’t even put salt or sand on the roads, the snow gets packed because it’s so cold. We’re going up there in January for six days. We only go once, but we play each of the two teams twice.

What’s the hardest thing about what you do? I think the travel in this league, not just for me but also the players. There’s a lot of travel. For myself, getting the video done and preparing for the next game, coming in at 4, 5, 6 in the morning after very little sleep on the bus, then back into the office and preparing practice. It’s a fast turn-around.

Most interesting places you’ve been: With hockey, I’d have to say Alaska, California and Texas. Not related, I’d have to say Las Vegas and N.Y.C.

What do you think is in store for the Maineiacs? I think we’re young, but the kids are talented. I’d say in the next year or two the goal is to compete for another President’s Cup run.

Copy the Story Link