1-On-1: with Steve Potvin

Roadrunners Head Coach Steve Potvin joined Jonathon Schaffer and Kim Cota-Robles on this week’s Happy Hour Show. For the complete conversation and to hear about Steve’s trip to Utah, download this week’s show below. 

Listen to “2024-25 Season Premiere With Steve Potvin” on Spreaker.

What are you looking to achieve in training camp? What goals have you set for the guys?

Well, that’s a good question. That’s what we led our meeting off with this morning. The guys that were at NHL camps, we want to see what they learned and what they brought from from Utah to Tucson. We want to make sure that they’re building off of that and trying to work on some of the weaknesses and build off some of the strengths of the players. We want to give an opportunity to the guys that are coming in from the Coast League or on tryouts to really showcase what they have. We have a great example of a player that came to our training camp five years ago and really never left. Hebig is still here with us five years later and he ended up scoring a goal and exhibition last night. So, we’re really proud of his effort and his contribution over the last five years. And listen, he’s a perfect example of a player coming into camp with purpose and intention. It matters what you do and what you say.

How was you summer? The last time we talked to you was before the end of the AHL and NHL playoffs.

The summer was good. It’s always nice to get a reset and be able to spend time with family. We also learn a lot from the playoffs and you can watch video and then get yourself prepared for some of the things that you’re seeing during the playoff time and you want to try to implement it or try to get the guys to shape and form to what we’ve learned. So, it was a real valuable summer. It was great to be able to get the rest. But now we’re excited to get going.

Any games that people should be watching out for? We’re getting a lot of questions from fans about that.

It’s hard to pinpoint, because every year can be so different for teams. I think Colorado is going to have a really strong team and it’s going to be filled with talent. I know that they want to expand on last season. I don’t think they were happy with the first round and they want to continue on so they put a lot of talent in their lineup and I think they’re ready to take that jump. I’ll be curious to see what Coachella looks like, once they got into the league they didn’t really have a stockpile of prospects, so they were able to get a lot of veteran players. It’ll be interesting to see if they’re a little bit younger and what type of mix they have with their veteran players. But I think those are two interesting games all the time.

Jessica Campbell got the call to move up for the Kraken and the PWHL is popular with fans. What’s you insider perspective on women in the future of the league?

I think it offers a different perspective. I think sometimes when it’s a coaches voice and it’s coming from a man, sometimes there can be a little bit more emotion that comes from with it, but I think sometimes when it’s coming from a woman, it could come off as a little less emotional and it’s just very good information. Sometimes we have sports doctors that talk to us and sometimes when you hear it from a woman, you’re hearing it from without the worry of “I have to be a certain way” or “I have to be a man,” but sometimes you just listen to the information and it can be taken very matter of fact. Sometimes you take the information from a man and there’s a more emotion. Like, can’t tell me what to do, you know, I’m saying maybe you’re probably more receptive to it at time. So, I think it’ll be very interesting. I think it’s great to see it in the game. I remember going to Toronto and watching my best friend’s daughter play and the arena was full from Friday to Sunday of all ages playing the game. I think it’s fantastic for the game and obviously it’s going to fill the seats and the viewership, and I think it just continues to help grow our game.

How do you take a brain break? What kind of things are you doing to keep a healthy mentality and decompress?

Yeah, that’s important, right? You have to really be able to take time for yourself. I think most of us use down time to exercise and to maybe listen to something that’s going to help you through the day or read something that’s going to get your mind off of the game and keep you in flow. Maybe it’s just taking care of yourself first; I think if you’re not taking care of yourself first, then obviously it’s hard to be able to handle your job and take care of other people. It’s important that we get the proper rest, but the exercise is the biggest thing. First thing in the morning, you get to work out in and try to listen to something that’s going to maybe inspire you or move you in the right direction, or if it’s just something that’s going to be leisure that’s maybe you haven’t thought of before or, something simple like that. It could be just music.

We’re going to do a quick Buzzfeed quiz to see which pancake you are. These are all multiple choice and they’ll be rapid fire.

Maple pumpkin cheesecake pancakes, original buttermilk pancakes, double blueberry pancakes, cina-stack pancakes, chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes or chocolate chip pancakes.

Chocolate chip.

Mexican tres leches pancakes, New York cheese pancakes, protein power pancakes.

Protein powder Pancakes

All right, A burger. The classic, western bacon, cowboy barbecue, big brunch or jalapeno kick.

Jalapeno kick.

Waffles now. Belgian waffles, Strawberry cheesecake, Oreo cookie crumble or chicken and waffles.

Belgian waffles.

Lastly milkshakes. So Oreo cookie, vanilla, strawberry, cina-stack, cupcake or lemon Oreo.

Strawberry.

You are spinach pancakes. You’re a pretty healthy person who likes to stay active and busy.