CORNER BROOK - Dwayne Hay has stepped onto the ice in plenty of rinks in his hockey career.
From his junior days with the Guelph Storm of the American Hockey League, to a 79-game career in the National Hockey League which included stops with the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames and finally, minor league stints with teams such as the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League and Pensacola Pirates of the East Coast Hockey League, he's skated all over North America.
In all his stops, he's always tried to play the same style and, according to him, he doesn't plan to change things this winter when he laces up his skates for the Corner Brook Royals at the Pepsi Centre.
"I think I'm a guy that sets the tone as a well-rounded player who shows up to play every night," Hay told The Western Star from Calgary. "I'm more of a two-way guy than a one-dimensional player, that's what I've prided myself on over the years. I'm looking to do no less out there, I'm going to finish checks and be an in-your-face kind of player. I think with my skill level, that creates opportunities for me to get some space on the ice and put up some numbers."
Hay played last season with the Bentley Generals of the Chinook Hockey League in Alberta notching 13 points (4G, 9A) in nine games in his first taste of senior hockey after 10 years as a pro. He admits he struggled to make the transition to life after pro hockey, particularly since his career ended due to injury, something which left him bitter with the game.
It wasn't until Bentley made it to the Allan Cup final last season that his passion for the sport was fully rekindled.
"I kind of really had a hate on for the game before I started playing senior last year," he said. "The turning point for me was when it started to mean something before the Allan Cup run. Then I could compare it more to what the pro atmosphere was like. I could have the best of both worlds because I was able to play hockey and get that fill but also kind of get on with some life stuff."
Now living in Calgary and running DH One Speed Athletics Hockey School and Bootcamps, Hay said he turned down a pro offer in Sweden this year because he didn't want to face the prospect of eventually settling into life after hockey again.
"I decided it was best for me to keep with what I've got going with my business," he said. "Then, I can get away from that on the weekends and go have fun, let my hair down and play some hockey."
The six-foot-one 203-pound native of London, Ont. is excited to play with the Royals this season and despite having to travel cross-country to do so, he expects to make at least every game at the Pepsi Centre.
"I've committed to being at all the home games," he said. "I want to be a part of that atmosphere and I'll make it to the ones my schedule allows me to on the road. If I can make every game this season, I'll be there but they were asking for a minimal commitment to be at all the home games and make the people who are paying their money to watch the home team win happy."
Despite being new to the city, Hay is no stranger to hockey in the province since he played 51 games with the St. John's Maple Leafs during the 2002-03 campaign, a squad which also included Royals captain Morgan Warren and Deer Lake Red Wings new recruit Harold Druken.
Hay admits Terry Ryan, his teammate in Bentley last season and someone will now join him in Corner Brook, has already filled him in on what kind of atmosphere to expect once things get rolling in the West Coast Senior Hockey League.
"He's told me its like that (St. John's) but escalated in a small town mentality," he said. "People love the players and will give their shirt off their backs for the players. We're just looking to go out there and be a piece of the puzzle and basically be able to give back what they deserve for what they put out for us."
With Warren back with the Royals this year, Hay would love to team up with the smooth-skating forward to form what could potentially be one of the most potent tandems in the league.
"We played together on a line for a bit when I first got there," he said. "I certainly know Morgan well and we're good friends from that season. He works hard and we have a lot of the same attributes. It might be something people see as a combination through the year because he's a right hand shot and I'm a left so we might have an opportunity to play together."
Hay and the Royals open the 2008-2009 season Nov. 8 on the road against the Clarenville Caribous.
