Commentary: “It Made Us Tough”

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Watch for an appearance on an upcoming RP Show from former Philadelphia Flyer, Detroit Red Wing and Swift Current Bronco Bob Wilkie.

We connected yesterday for the first time as Bob had reached out about sharing his story, helping others, and providing details on his Calgary-based corporation “I Got Mind”, which provides Mental Health support in the business and sports worlds.

I think we all know what Bob’s trauma was; surviving the Broncos bus crash in the 80’s, playing for Graham James and then, navigating the life which followed.

Bob and I’d never met, but we got to the heart of the matter fast. We decided Bob would come on the national TV show to talk current NHL hockey news, then talk a bit about his road of dealing with trauma. Maybe it’ll help somebody who’s watching.

I’m always up for that!

Wilkie played in the NHL for Brian & Terry Murray as well as Jacques Demers in some of his stops, and has great stories about them all. And many more about bouncing around the minors for years which sounds fun, but is no easy life.

Wilkie also talked about working with Junior hockey teams now, entirely on the mental side of the game. These kids aren’t the same as we were, and need plenty of guidance and support if they’re going to get to the next level. Bob’s a guy who’s been there.

We discussed our backgrounds, which are all pretty similar in the Western Canada hockey world, and Bob offered the line, “It made us tough.”

Yes, yes it did.

We probably should be very grateful for that.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.

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