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JONES:Kurt Browning named Oilers honourary captain for NHL's 75 anniversary
| Source: |
Edmonton Sun |
| Date: |
May 13, 2022 |
| Author: |
Terry Jones |
The Edmonton Oilers haven't brought a former "captain" to town to
skate on the same ice as Connor McDavid, it just looks that
way.
Yes, that's Kurt Browning in town with an Oilers jersey on.
"On the 75th anniversary of the NHL each team chose an honourary
captain," explained Browning who is actually here to star in, the
thrice COVID cancelled, Stars On Ice revival Sunday at 4 p.m.
"The Oilers chose me and allowed me to practice with them. Super
cool," said the figure skater, that won four world championships
skating out of Edmonton and ended up as the No. 1 show skating star of
his time.
But Browning, like everyone else in Edmonton it seems, is here wearing
an Oilers jersey and talking hockey.
"Craig Simpson and I had done some charity work together,"
"Mark Messier tried to sell me his Porsche, It's hard to say no to The
Moose."
"I practiced with Kenny Linseman when he was injured and the team was
on the road."
"Kevin Lowe gave me a bunch of his sticks with his name on them and
(the) No. 4, I still have them and I still use them on the
lake. They're real heavy."
"Oh, and I once scored on Bill Ranford, We would take five shots each
from a semi-circle and my third shot slipped in over his shoulder, I
just froze, Ranford just screamed at me and slammed his stick into
both posts and then just stared back at me to take the last two shots,
I couldn't even get them to the net."
Browning is somewhat surprised to be back as the No. 1 attraction of
Stars On Ice after the better part of three years on COVID
protocol.
If you thought you remembered reading a column here about the legend
out of Edmonton's Royal Glenora Club deciding to retire as a show
skater, a funny thing happened on the way to a life of
leisure.
Browning, who originally took up the sport at the suggestion of his
mom to improve his skating for hockey, says he returned to skating
because of hockey.
"To be honest, yes, I am a little surprised to be back skating. But
when I retired, that allowed me to return to my love of playing hockey
and what happened was that I got hurt playing NO HIT hockey."
"It was a cheap shot as far as I was concerned."
"The collision left me screwed up. I had nerve damage to my upper back
and left arm."
"Rehab took me to Brad Thorpe, inventor of ISOPHIT, It brought me back
to train to skate again without getting injured or sore and that's why
I am still skating."
With Stars On Ice shutting down for the better part of three years,
Browning making it back to skate a show in Edmonton ought to be
considered remarkable.
"For me, being over 50 (he'll be 56 in June) it was frustrating since
I was not motivated to go to the rink without the reward of
performing."
"I struggled but stayed at my off-ice ISOPHIT stuff and when it came
time to skate again, my body and love of the sport was there and ready
to go."
Making this Stars On Ice show, featuring the legendary likes of
himself and two-time Olympic silver medal winner and three-time world
champion Elvis Stojko in combination with Olympians and other high
profile skaters has turned out to be an absolute delight.
"After all these years I am still amazed at how the young guns
appreciate skating with Elvis and me, they are so kind and I honestly
think different generations can inspire each other in different ways,
I love sharing the ice with people."
"It's been fun skating with people. I just commented on it at the
Olympics, It brings out the fan in me," said the Olympic commentator
who has also broadcast 16 world championships.
Browning has skated in Stars On Ice every year but one since the tour
made its debut in Canada in 1991, Canadian champions singles skater
Keegan Messing, pairs combo Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro
as well as dance duo Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier are part of the
show.
So is Edmonton's Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalist Kaetlyn
Osmond and world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey
Buttle.
But the hit of the show, he swears, is Canadian junior champion Elladj
Baldé.
"It's wonderful to have Elladj bring so many new fans to the sport
with his online personality and his unique style on the ice," said
Browning, who can't wait for the kid to experience the traditional
No. 1 attended tour stop.
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