Quality junior hockey coming to Troy

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By Alex Sator, Contributing Writer 2:42 PM Thursday, July 16, 2009

TROY — It’s summer, and while most people are looking for some shade, JT Szabo’s thinking about getting the word out for the Troy Bruins — a new Junior A hockey team that debuts in September.

The 23-year-old Szabo handles public relations for the Bruins, who will play in the United Junior Hockey League. He’s also the former play-by-play man for the Dayton Bombers.

Junior A is a strong brand of hockey and its teams send many players on to college or the pros.

“Almost no one skips junior A,” said Szabo with a laugh. “And all of these guys can really skate, too.”

Here are some highlights of a question-and-answer session with Szabo:

Q What is your background?

A The Bruins are a family business. My father, Rick Szabo, came to town 25 years ago and the Troy Sabres were his last stop as a professional hockey player (a goaltender in the ’80s). Originally from Ontario, he played 10 years in every town you can think of — then he met my mom, Gaye (Heffelfinger). Dad’s the president and general manager. The Bruins represent his dream.

Q And you?

A I graduated from Troy High School (2004). My dream’s to work in the NHL. I was lucky enough to be able to call my first game (the Bombers) when I was 19, but there isn’t a need for a play-by-play guy now. So, it’s pretty bittersweet.

Q Did you play?

A I did, at Troy High School. My dad was my coach. He actually founded the Trojan hockey program (1996). He coached here for 11 seasons.

Q How did you hook up with the Bombers?

A I worked for four years while I was in school for the local cable station — Channel 5, Troy Public Broadcasting — and I developed a friendship with the station manager, Steve Dunn. He took me under his wing and showed me the stuff behind the camera. Eventually I moved in front of the camera doing high school sports.

Q What can yo tell us about the Bruins?

A It isn’t professional hockey, we’re a junior A team. It’s a developmental league for the best 16- to 21-year-old amateur hockey players who are looking for exposure so that they can move on to the next levels of play — which would be NCAA or minor league. It’s the top amateur hockey in the world, but the best of junior play is in Canada. It’s big there, like high school football is here. There’s a Hobart Arena in every town. Ninety-five percent of NHL players played junior hockey.

Q Are you affiliated?

A We’re with the United Junior Hockey League. Our division will have teams in Wooster (Ohio), Johnstown (Pa.), Philadelphia, Albany (N.Y.) as well as some other Eastern cities.

Q Where are you getting players?

A We had tryouts late in June. Players from Europe and all over Canada were here. In mid-July we’ll have a second camp in Denver, Colo., to complete our roster.

Q What kind of promotions do you envision?

A Good stuff! For example, we partnered with the Columbus Blue Jackets to bring in their traveling street hockey tour for the Troy Strawberry Festival. I don’t know about everyone else, but I had a great time!

Q Your new coach?

A Shane (Hicke) coached a Junior A team last year (Innisfil, Ontario). He’s from British Columbia. He’s an outstanding coach. His father, Ernie, played in the NHL and he’s serving as our head scout.

Contact this writer at alexsator@verizon.net

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