Cougars News

INSIDE THE COUGARS' DEN -  A Q & A with the Diminies'.

FUN - It's all about that one word for the Diminie clan when it comes to maximizing their lifetime enjoyment of hockey.  I recently sat down with Matt, James and their dad Mark to chat about hockey, life and being a home-grown Cobourg Cougar!

Earliest hockey memory?

James - "Going to my dad's games, watching him and then afterwards we would take turns riding around on his shoulders."

Dad - "that's a tough one, there are quite a few of them. First time they made a REP team was very memorable or their first goal.  I still have their sticks from their first game - I saved them for them and their first sweaters they ever wore. I guess the best one would be when they first started skating on their own without any help - that was pretty nice"

You two are only 14 months apart in age - lot of battles when you were growing up?
Mat - "Still a lot of battles going on!(both boys laugh) But it is all for fun now - competitive stuff in practice and so on. "

Any particular battle growing up stand out?
James - "I remember a few years ago (10 yrs old) when we had the backyard rink. Mat and I got wrestling on the ice and he punched my two front teeth out - I remember that."

Dad - "I thought it was pretty funny too!"

Dad - any other funny stories stand out for you?

"I remember the kids use to play mini sticks in the basement and they would always take my helmet and gloves out of my hockey bag and put them on and go into the family room. Usually about halfway thru playing they would drop their gloves and throw off their helmets and say FIGHT! So then they would roll around fighting with diapers on so that's a pretty funny one."

Dad - when did you realize your kids had some talent for the game that would take them a little further?

"When they were in Atom you could see they were both pretty natural athletes - didn't matter if it was soccer or baseball or hockey, they would always excel and be at the top of their teams. But I would say when got into Minor PeeWee and Minor Bantam you could really see they should be moving up to say Triple A and that they had a bit more of a future there."

What advice would you give to Father/Son hockey combo's out there to maximize their enjoyment of the game together?

Mat  -"I would say to not be to hard on them -you got some parents up there who yell and scream at their kids when they are not doing something right. I would say to just be a little more calm with them."

James - "Don't lecture them - just talk to them. It helps a lot more if you just talk to them and don't lecture them or talk at them."

Dad - "Definitely let the kids have FUN first! They have to enjoy what they are doing and if they are not enjoying it then they are going hit say, minor bantam, and they are gonna quit because the fun has been taken out of it.  So start out having fun, keep the fun in it and let the kids develop on their own as opposed to forcing them or rushing them by saying you HAVE to go to triple A or you have to do this.

Just let them have fun and let it happen naturally at their own pace." 

Playing for the Cougars - the hometown team  -what does it mean to you guys?

Mat - "It means a lot  - I remember growing and going to the games every Monday night and we looked up to the players then and now we have little kids doing the same with us so it is pretty cool to play for them"

James - "Same for me - still remember the players names from when i watched them and how much it meant to me so I hope the kids today can enjoy it the same way."

Dad - "I am very proud that they have excelled to the level they have and the fact that it is a local team is an added bonus of having them around all the time. They didn't have to move away etc.  I am very proud of that connection locally."

Being Role Models to local kids -how important is that?

Dad  - "We have talked about that before. Because they are local boys - born and raised in town - a lot of kids know them and recognize them a lot more than other players on the team.  That may seem unfair sometimes but the reality is that puts on a lot more pressure on them but they seem to enjoy it and when they see the smile on the kids faces when they come out on the ice, I think they enjoy that too."

Biggest challenge - on or off the ice?
Mat - "People telling me I can't do it - I am too small or whatever. You just have to prove yourself and to them you can do it no matter what."

James - "I can remember the Santa Clause Parade last year and us on the Cougars float going through town and some people heckling us. That ticked us off and well now we want to go out and prove we can do it. 

Any superstitions before a game?
Mat "Like to relax before games and then I put all my right stuff on first and that's about it."

James -  "I am opposite - I like to put all my LEFT side equipment on first."

Dad - "When they were growing up I used to make sure they were there an hour before, etc. But now they are grown up and driving, I just toss them the car keys and say ‘Get out of here,  I will see ya at game time."

(they all laugh)

Biggest influences for you growing up?
Mat - "I think I would say the Cougar team back when we were kids. I mean, we always looked up to them so I would say them  for sure."
James - "I would agree. That and various NHL players we looked up to over the years but I can't forget good ol' Dad! He has always been there for us too."

Best Advice you have ever received?
Mat - "Have fun and play hard. Doesn't matter what you do out there as long as you put your best out there that is all you can ask for."

Why do you love hockey so much?

James - "It is the greatest getaway from everything else.  At school you worry about stuff and so on and when you go to the rink you can focus on the one thing and forget about everything else for the couple of hours you are there."

The Future - how has hockey helped you prepare for life?

Mat  - "Playing at this level you learn a lot of good attributes like persistence and perseverance.  They help you in school and stuff. Respect -respecting our coaches and our community is really important as well."

James - "You meet a lot of good people through hockey and make a lot of good friends. Through those friendships you pick up a lot of good values to carry with you in life."

Best advice you would have for kids playing hockey?

Mat - "Just keep working hard. Pretty much all you can do is put everything out there on the line and if it works out great - if not, you know you did your absolute best. But first and foremost - have fun.'

James - "Be dedicated and give % 100 all the time but I agree - remember to always make sure you are having fun at whatever you do."

Dad - "I agree. Have the dedication and respect for whatever you want to achieve - have that goal and give it your best all the time. Knowing you gave it your all, that should help keep it fun for you too."