The Cat unmasked
Felix Potvin talks hockey, the North and life in retirement
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
RANKIN INLET/BAKER LAKE
Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Felix (The Cat) Potvin signed his name to more than 1,000 items during stops in Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet this past week.
Former NHLer Felix (The Cat) Potvin signs Josie Connor's sweater at the Rankin Inlet community hall this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
And The Cat posed for the same, if not more, number of photographs during his two-day visit.
The man responsible for Potvin's visit was Arctic Connections owner and Arviat businessman Jim Ramsay.
Potvin said he's wanted to visit Nunavut for many years.
He said when he met Ramsay a few weeks ago, he was quick to offer him the chance to come to the Kivalliq and meet the people of two communities.
"I met an awful lot of kids in the two communities, as well as many, many Inuit and it was just a great experience," said Potvin.
"It's really striking when you visit a community way-up North for the first time, but what really jumped up at me was the friendliness of the two communities.
"Everyone I met seemed really happy and excited about my visit, and it was a lot of fun for me to meet the people of the communities."
Potvin also paid a visit to Agnico Eagle's Meadowbank gold mine.
He said his group drove to the mine from Baker, and it's an experience he won't soon forget.
"We left Baker Lake and drove, and drove, and drove without seeing anything and then, all of a sudden, you see this huge pit of gravel in the middle of nowhere.
"It was certainly something that made a big impression on me."
Potvin is well known for his willingness to help out good causes, especially when they involve children.
He said he would be more than open to returning to the Kivalliq, should an opportunity present itself.
"I would certainly have an open mind towards a lot of things here.
"What really struck me is how everybody is a huge hockey fan here; everybody loves, watches and plays hockey here.
"I would always be open to come back, whether it was for an event or helping kids in some manner."
Potvin, 45, loves the outdoors and does a lot of hunting and fishing in his retirement.
He also coaches a midget AAA hockey team in the community he lives, the Magog Cantonniers - which he led to their first division championship since 2005-06 - and is happy and content in his life away from the glamour of the NHL.
"I had a lot of things I was ready to do once I finished playing the game, and I don't really miss it.
"Of course, it's hard to watch the games on TV, especially in the playoffs, but I don't miss the lifestyle."
Potvin, drafted 31st overall by Toronto in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, played 14 seasons in the NHL.
He is third in career wins with the Leafs (160), and is fondly remembered for backstopping the team to the brink of the Stanley Cup finals in the 1993 and 1994 playoffs.
Years later, during the 2000-01 season when in Los Angeles, the Kings upset the heavily-favoured Detroit Red Wings in the first round, and Potvin found himself duelling with none other than Patrick Roy and the eventual Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.
Potvin put on a legendary performance in that series, winning back-to-back games by a score of 1-0 (one in double overtime) before falling to Colorado in Game 7.
Potvin said the two Toronto playoff runs and the L.A. run are among his sweetest NHL memories.
He said the Kings were down in games 3-1 to the Avalanche before two shutout wins drew them even.
"Beating them 1-0 in games five and six was really nice.
"To go head-to-head with one of the NHL's greatest goalies and beat him twice like that is a great memory.
"But, you know, we had the team in Toronto to go all the way in '93, with a great bunch of guys, great chemistry and great coaching with Pat Burns.
"The season started without much expectation - I didn't even know I was going to be there for the playoffs - and then to lead L.A. 3-2 going to L.A. for Game 6 is still hard to watch today."
The '93 Cup semifinal series against L.A. is infamous in Maple Leafs lore, due to referee Kerry Fraser's non-call on Wayne Gretzky's high stick to Doug Gilmour.
Potvin said Fraser's admission in his book that he may have blown the call did little to erase the bad taste that still lingers from the Game 6 overtime incident.
"I wish he (Fraser) hadn't said it, because, at least, maybe there would still be a little doubt in our minds.
"It was a tough break for us, but it's all part of the game and the game was so fast back then for just one referee.
"At least he finally recognized that he might have made a mistake.
"A lot of things like that happen during a Stanley Cup run, but it certainly was tough for us.
"And it's still tough to see when they run highlights of it."
