Adam Sturgeon was always destined to be in front of an audience. These days, that means playing in the rock bands Status/Non-Status and OMBIIGIZI — but in his teens, he was poised for a career as a professional hockey player.
He played in Junior A before moving on to the OHL, and he attended the training camp of an NHL team. It looked like he would follow in the footsteps of his father, Peter Sturgeon, who was drafted to the NHL by the Boston Bruins.
Adam ultimately left hockey following what he calls a "terrible arm injury," but not before crossing off some bucket list items: he got props from iconic goalie Vladislav Tretiak during a tournament in Russia, crossed paths with Don Cherry and played against Chris Chelios.
As OMBIIGIZI go about promoting their debut album, this winter's Sewn Back Together, Exclaim! caught up with Sturgeon to discuss his father's hockey legacy, having KGB bodyguards in Russia, and why being the tough guy on the ice wasn't for him.
How did you start playing hockey, and how long did you play for?
I was born with a hockey stick in my hands. My father passed it to me through his blood. I can't remember a time in my youth where I wasn't on the backyard rink or shooting pucks in the basement, destroying the walls in the process. I'm not sure how my mom and sister could deal with all the noise.
I was big for my age and ended up fast-tracking through minor hockey, playing with the older kids. By 14, I was playing Junior for one of the best teams in the country, the Milton Merchants. From there I was drafted in the first round to the OHL.
I spent most of my time in Michigan for the Saginaw Spirit, where it was my job to keep everyone on the ice honest. I was a D-man and spent an awful lot of time in people's faces and in the penalty box. I'm not too sure that was me, but it was a necessary leadership role, and I did my best to put my efforts into playing the game. I was fortunate to play pro, but an injury ended my career far too early.
What was the highlight of your hockey career?
When I was 17, I got to participate in a tournament representing Canada in Russia: the Tretiak Cup. Tretiak himself called me a player of "great poise and character" — pretty sure my agent at the time used that to impress me upon folks. Anyway, my mom went with me and it was an experience you only get once in a lifetime — people smoking in the airplane on the way to and from included. I think we all found customs very intimidating. We had KGB bodyguards and police escorts, the whole deal. McDonald's was the only thing we ate. I still have my jersey, which I wanted to wear in the "Genocidio" video. We decided against it, though it's an interesting conversation — representing your country with the history my family has and all.
When and why did you retire from hockey?
When I was 18, I went to training camp with the St. Louis Blues. I got a couple points in the rookie tournament, but I can't really say that I accomplished my hockey goals. Things were on the up early in my pro career. Playing against Chris Chelios during the lockout was a highlight. Sean Avery was even out of control back then. A terrible arm injury put it all to a halt.
Do you still play hockey at all?
The last time I was on the ice was about 10 years ago. I was helping to coach a young Inuit high school team in Salluit. They were preparing for a tournament in Montreal and lost funding for their flights two days before the tournament. It was a huge disappointment for everyone involved and was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Hockey had been tough, and the opportunity these kids missed out on broke my heart. Still, I think we'll teach my son to skate and see what happens. I'm not in it to push him into anything.
What do you remember of your father's hockey career?
Hockey was everything to my dad. He was a second round pick to the Boston Bruins and played nine years professionally before injuries also took his career. I got to see him coach a bit. Interestingly, both he and I played for Don Cherry. What a life!
Are there any ways that hockey informs or influences your music career?
When my dad got hurt, I'm not sure he knew anything other than the game. It pulled him off the streets, and I see his passion in life represented through his success as a player, and the struggles he had to overcome to get there. He decided to try and help others pursue that passion and created a development program to do it. He helped a lot of people, and this in turn helped him. My dad left it all on the ice, so I figure I'll leave it all on the stage.
He played in Junior A before moving on to the OHL, and he attended the training camp of an NHL team. It looked like he would follow in the footsteps of his father, Peter Sturgeon, who was drafted to the NHL by the Boston Bruins.
Adam ultimately left hockey following what he calls a "terrible arm injury," but not before crossing off some bucket list items: he got props from iconic goalie Vladislav Tretiak during a tournament in Russia, crossed paths with Don Cherry and played against Chris Chelios.
As OMBIIGIZI go about promoting their debut album, this winter's Sewn Back Together, Exclaim! caught up with Sturgeon to discuss his father's hockey legacy, having KGB bodyguards in Russia, and why being the tough guy on the ice wasn't for him.
How did you start playing hockey, and how long did you play for?
I was born with a hockey stick in my hands. My father passed it to me through his blood. I can't remember a time in my youth where I wasn't on the backyard rink or shooting pucks in the basement, destroying the walls in the process. I'm not sure how my mom and sister could deal with all the noise.
I was big for my age and ended up fast-tracking through minor hockey, playing with the older kids. By 14, I was playing Junior for one of the best teams in the country, the Milton Merchants. From there I was drafted in the first round to the OHL.
I spent most of my time in Michigan for the Saginaw Spirit, where it was my job to keep everyone on the ice honest. I was a D-man and spent an awful lot of time in people's faces and in the penalty box. I'm not too sure that was me, but it was a necessary leadership role, and I did my best to put my efforts into playing the game. I was fortunate to play pro, but an injury ended my career far too early.
What was the highlight of your hockey career?
When I was 17, I got to participate in a tournament representing Canada in Russia: the Tretiak Cup. Tretiak himself called me a player of "great poise and character" — pretty sure my agent at the time used that to impress me upon folks. Anyway, my mom went with me and it was an experience you only get once in a lifetime — people smoking in the airplane on the way to and from included. I think we all found customs very intimidating. We had KGB bodyguards and police escorts, the whole deal. McDonald's was the only thing we ate. I still have my jersey, which I wanted to wear in the "Genocidio" video. We decided against it, though it's an interesting conversation — representing your country with the history my family has and all.
When and why did you retire from hockey?
When I was 18, I went to training camp with the St. Louis Blues. I got a couple points in the rookie tournament, but I can't really say that I accomplished my hockey goals. Things were on the up early in my pro career. Playing against Chris Chelios during the lockout was a highlight. Sean Avery was even out of control back then. A terrible arm injury put it all to a halt.
Do you still play hockey at all?
The last time I was on the ice was about 10 years ago. I was helping to coach a young Inuit high school team in Salluit. They were preparing for a tournament in Montreal and lost funding for their flights two days before the tournament. It was a huge disappointment for everyone involved and was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Hockey had been tough, and the opportunity these kids missed out on broke my heart. Still, I think we'll teach my son to skate and see what happens. I'm not in it to push him into anything.
What do you remember of your father's hockey career?
Hockey was everything to my dad. He was a second round pick to the Boston Bruins and played nine years professionally before injuries also took his career. I got to see him coach a bit. Interestingly, both he and I played for Don Cherry. What a life!
Are there any ways that hockey informs or influences your music career?
When my dad got hurt, I'm not sure he knew anything other than the game. It pulled him off the streets, and I see his passion in life represented through his success as a player, and the struggles he had to overcome to get there. He decided to try and help others pursue that passion and created a development program to do it. He helped a lot of people, and this in turn helped him. My dad left it all on the ice, so I figure I'll leave it all on the stage.