Rob Brief enters because the second most capped Canadian hockey participant
Within the Athletes Class of the Corridor of Fame, Subject Hockey Canada proudly inducts Rob Brief, a trailblazer whose affect on the game has been each profound and lasting. Famend for his management and dedication, Brief’s illustrious profession has left an indelible mark on Canadian area hockey.
Brief, who captained the nationwide group for seven years, stands because the second most capped Canadian nationwide participant of all time. His journey started in Tsawwassen, BC, the place his preliminary ardour for ice hockey was redirected by his mother and father in direction of area hockey. “They made it clear that ice hockey wasn’t an possibility, so area hockey turned my focus,” Brief recalled. “We had been lucky in Tsawwassen to have a powerful area hockey program.”
From these early days, Brief’s profession soared. He honed his expertise with the Tsawwassen Falcons, the College of Victoria Vikes, and the BC Provincial group earlier than making his mark on the nationwide group. At simply 12 years previous, Brief’s ambition to achieve the Olympic stage was sparked when he noticed his coach, Mike Mueller, on tv. “Seeing my coach on TV made me understand the scope and potential of area hockey,” Brief defined. “That second ignited my dream of competing within the Olympics.”
Regardless of his early aspirations, Brief confronted important challenges on his path to the nationwide group. “There have been instances once I struggled to make the group whereas watching my mates succeed,” he shared. “It wasn’t till a brand new coach acknowledged my power and potential that I lastly obtained my probability.” This pivotal alternative marked the start of a unprecedented profession.
Brief’s spectacular profession contains participation in 5 Pan American Video games, 4 Commonwealth Video games, and two World Cups. His crowning achievement got here when Crew Canada secured gold on the 1999 Pan American Video games, fulfilling his childhood dream of competing within the Olympics. “Once we certified for the Olympics, it was a surreal second. We ran to our households, overwhelmed with pleasure,” Brief recalled.
He lived out that Olympic dream a second time when Canada certified for the 2008 Summer time Olympics in Beijing. All through his profession, Brief additionally performed professionally in Europe, showcasing his ability and dedication on a global stage.
After retiring from enjoying in 2012, Brief transitioned into teaching. “I noticed I wasn’t absolutely ready for this new section, however teaching shortly turned my ardour,” Brief stated. His dedication led him to determine the Rob Brief Subject Hockey Academy, the place he continues to mentor and encourage the subsequent era of gamers.
Reflecting on his profession, Brief emphasised the eagerness that drove him. “I liked the game, the group, and the mentality of area hockey,” he stated. “I hoped to be remembered as somebody who liked enjoying for his nation and was deeply passionate concerning the sport.”
As Rob Brief joins the Subject Hockey Canada Corridor of Fame, his legacy stands as a testomony to the facility of dedication, management, and love for the game. His contributions have set a excessive commonplace in Canadian area hockey and proceed to encourage future generations.