Sir, by those on me, when I say resort, No, last year. I travelled to montreal to get to know canadians, rookie defence, men, arbour jack. I his path. In wasn't easiest, but neither was his life. We produced a fifteen minute feed on arbour his family for hockey day in canada, but was productions along the conversation gets left on the cutting a room floor. We felt that it was important

share these conversations on added with our audience in this speech the of the thirty two thoughts, podcast you'll, hear chat with arbour and then later with his parents, jack in simona. If you'd like to watch Tire feature we have left them in the show knows what that lets heads we offer our sit down with arbour jaguar. We're good care. once you look around see where we are. What jumps into your mind came believe a man so surreal, everyday waken up and knowing that I'm here like I go soaks things uneasily like I just keep le passionate and put an end to all There was no longer there like. Obviously we wanted each of lasher. Now I just can put into perspective until until I laughed- and I was I was over

in montreal all gone and the miller roommates assembly wants its. I was a dream, come true, do you remember the day, walked in here you're stalls just over a year left shoulder do you're the first time Walked in- and you saw canadians jersey with your number- and your name I appreciate, and our last year. Is to see that in just a whole new jersey like this is my name on it in obviously I wasn't sign or anything yet I still trying out but justice with my name on it. I was like this is a man. Is the real deal? Did you sit there within your hands for a few minutes? I did not like I held my breath when I put it off a wise something I did but arbour their point here were you I mean? I don't know what you expected. Did you expect expect that you would make the canadians the season. I personally I thought I was going down to the h: honours gonna hafta,

In my time there, like spent my years there and develop as a guy and a player and a person, but just in the back of my mind, I'm like I can crack this roster. I was seeing how his skating with the the players in the team- and I was like, like I'm there it's there and I was like I was feeling very comfortable with my game on the ice and should the back of my mind. I had I had that its narrowing. I can make it and what was the first moment you began to thing. Ok, this might be happening there wasn't like. really a moment because they kept so many young guys to the very end so and they never taught us anything. So we are all good bodies or just sitting there like looking at each other like man, they quitted what's gonna happen here like what's going on and we didn't know like we just control their own, our own games, and we also worked hard and plainer games and let them on the place, but there's never really a moment until that that day, when the poles in the office describe it

as we are in a jam, and it was me gully, slav and harris so they call this one, the room, we're walking and we're we're scared or like oh, no. What is what is going on, but obviously I feel like they're all good players on like this. This can't be bad. This can be bad trying to think positive. We get pulled in and then they're like. Congratulations guys like you made the team and like chill just ran through my whole body and like so many thoughts going through my mind, I was like I was speechless. I was just Thank you. I had in the sales while this happened. I just made it the best reaction, we were off. and here we are looking at each other like some sort, smile and we're, like all mad because we are all really good buddies, throw camp so that when that happened, it was like. We were just like man and like we, we left the room and we were giggling and we're like all this is it like

it was. It was awesome, you know. What's interesting was when we were talking to Gallagher and to march at ST louis about you. They didn't talk about any of the physical stuff. I think You know we had seen the clip of him in la whatever the prospect camphor him fighting and in others there's guys it can do that. But If you can do that, but you can play the game in accra. For a long and there's a lot more. That goes into a matter as a huge scale, I'm in theirs there's only so many guys in league that can do what he does, but in order to be able to do what you do, there's so much more the haskell into your game and he's able to do that and to play at this level and also bring that little bit of intangible that you know guys are going to have to be aware when he's on the ice and at the same time You know the other nine percent games when he is in doing that is still an effective clare and making good smart place for us. it- is these very good player we ve enjoyed, haven't omened keepin better. They talk, about your hands. They talked about your skill.

Making a pass. They talked about your iq. You know he can rigged epoch out what the effect is that allows us to play in transition in possession of a neutral zone. Now yeah. Can you go off the glass absolutely, but he's got I intelligence with he'll set that allows them to do what is brains telling him to do and is brains great. Or in the ozone in always got the is he's got great shot in these. I on whose getten israel shot block and stuff, and we were on changing the ngo. Little bit he's got a nice little snapper that he throws these he's. Really. Outside ned their heavy, their data come off his blade, quick, We in obviously he's gonna want time or to which we have seen that as much. I think it's harder for for defence meant a pie now, to take one timers from illness yonder, partly because you know the defensive schemes or arms,

Your face little bit where, in all those those little quick res shots, probably happen more, and you can do that right. So he helped her office but also You know you see as physicality big hits. You know he can take care of himself. Ass, a drop, the glove, there's a lot of things that that that arbour brings to the game that helps us. You know it's, it's not one particular thing, but it's a action of all these things. I think he used at the right time as he still learning went to use what and how, but so far has been good. The fans- love you for the rough stuff, but your teenage in your coaches talk first about your skill, yeah it's it's pretty special to hear that cause. I always everyone always used to say when I was younger, that, like you're, a goon you're, a goon, I'm like I'm, not a goon, I got good hands I think I can make plays like I'm. A pretty good break o passes, I'm out enhancing. I got a good shot from the point like I've always

when I've been a skills guy offensively, but not a lot of people have seen that and now I'm obviously a like on the second powerplay unit. Sometimes- and it's like Are you crazy because I never pay partly my whole life cosette? That's just not role I was put it with, but but its pre specially you're that that they like that, that's out of my way they see the best in you. There is no question about that. They see the bastard you is there anything like any whether it's been ahead or physical player fight or anything like that where you were like. Okay, this is, I think I'm a little bit nervous about this yeah. I don't I dunno. I don't seem to put that kind of pressure on me. It's like kind of like whatever happens happens. My first fight, obviously I was that huge, but in that moment I was just thinking like I have nothing to lose here, like I'm, going to get a pretty tough guy, like he's been he's by itself. As all of your career in their age. Also, it's like. I got nothing. so? Even if I were to lost the fighter just unwell, it would have been a went to me. We ve been went to the fan, so it's as a pretty big moment for me.

I would think the only one that might have made nervous was delorean just because of who he is ya. That was tough khazar. I was gonna. Think in like I thought he was going to ask me at the start cause they were on a five game losing streaks at the start of the game. I was thinking I'm getting ready. Mentally radio Michael gaelic. The true anyway, like he's, he's the tavis at the top of the league right now so many. How are you gonna? Give you deliver shifting he was wondering my I've right away and housing punch large, the junior, and It's been a been a tougher one bite off as my first my first loss. I think so. It was tough pill to swallow, but on sunday, while also like that's the best said the best of the best, like you're stepping up to deal with him yeah. So it's like the in the fans eyes. It's like man like that's as tough as it gets there and it's like that's, not a loser. my eyes, what are teammates after moments like that? What are they say you either? she's supportive and of that stuff in there

just come in and give me a top and they're like man like that's. That was the toughest guy like it doesn't get much tougher than that, and you you hold your own so like they love to see that tell me about. Smaller samara. She's she's, the best man she's. I've never seen a woman's shoney's her before in the way they my parents are life and from nothing it's like it's. You can't see that and I think that they brought all all the toughness on the kids. Mom she so carrying and put all their money and, in those kids like it's, every penny they got, they put it towards the kids and that's that brings them joy like to see us do well in life. And

I never understood and seen all everyone else's parents like they go on vacations and all that I never see my parents go on vacations like obviously it was, it was pricey and they couldn't afford the time and it's just they actually dumped all their money into us. So as we never understood what like why, but it was just like they are like like we want to bring you guys, a good life you know and to see them like working every day and like non joiner were like you're going to enjoy too. It's obviously, as the kids started moving out, and I did where I did, and my brothers now are playing the o h. All it's. It's been a lot better for them to start going on vacations and start enjoying nuts. That brings me joy. what does she told you about her journey from checks? back as it was known then to canada. Yashiki obviously wanted her to find something else and goes: go, try different life and her friend here so she she came over here to start life as a nanny, and she was a teacher over there. So it's like she didn't have to leave like she's, wanted to try something else and ran some family stuff, so

she got over there in Sir life is an annual from scratch and like rc, her journey was was very tough to to leave your whole family. You she had not. No one year like she sought her one friend, but at a young age. I think she was twenty four, so was extremely tough for her to to start a life from scratch and as he were, that she's came to now. It's it's special. Tell me about jack. Jockeys is about as tough as a comment. I think I have a lot of people say their doubts, the tawiscara they know, but he's something I'll see. He tells us. He said I have no fear like it's not a good thing to have no fear the things I've been through like he has no fear like he grew up like prius pours as they come like he said between his three brothers. He had one pair of shoes like use were like the water rather we get the biggest pursues and they would all they would all where I'm so he and

We see where he was growing up. It was. It was tough with all the wars and that so he he didn't want to get involved in that, so he he found a way to make it up and he got the passports made and packed his bags. Not he didn't even have a bag, he didn't have anything to pack, so he just he got out of there and my dad actually came here with with zero dollars in his account and he found his way in is extremely tough unease, the super kind guy and whenever he talked to amuse, you think he's a shy almost but he's noddies is amazing man and news, suppose tries man has ever met and to see star life again, like my mom from absolutely nothing. It's it's amazing has. He ever told you about his journey albania to sweden to hear about what he had to do to get out. Yeah yeah yeah. It's like we can believe. Like you know when people say like when their power,

it's tell you about their the way they walked. Discords, like they're, like going through forest chop, lower It says like going all this way just to get through school, like that's how they got school like he. Actually he had that, and I mean he had to. He actually had to run away from home like to get out cause. I mean if they found out, he was leaving they. They probably would have brought him to the army, and he didn't want to do that, and that was not something that you want when he was interested and he so he had to leave and he obviously went to sweden for a bit and played soccer there for a little bit and then he went over to england with his body and then finally, they made it to to toronto. So that's where they started their life and the things he had to do. It's like we can't even imagine like you would always remind us, like my parents, they're both big and minus, like you guys, don't know what you have, because we weren't the route we were after

his family, like my parents, they grind for every dollar. They have and we're seeing all these other kids have this nice staff and this nice gear, and this nice steaks and like. Why can we do this? Why can we do that? We never really understood or appreciated their like. They always reminded us. You guys, don't know why you have like you, don't know where we started and the kind of things we had to go through, and that was as big for them to keep that in our heads. Did they ever tell you how they met yeah there? mad at the sheraton. O talent and hamilton foresaw downtown yeah, so my mom came came over and I think the first week she was here. She met my dad and then the next day. They and their first date so yeah. I was snooping around one time in my house. I found their first year together and I was tearing up. It was like you can't find love like

at the pictures and then yeah. They have like a photo book of them their first year together. So I was like I was tearing up. I was like man like this is like a love story like it's: it's unbelievable how they stay together, because Normally an albanian man will find an albanian women and the same with the check that's just in there it's in their nature there, but it's pretty rare for them to to go off off the grid like that and it's it's it's crazy. How they are they ended up. Is there a picture in particular from that scrap book, that you remember, there's a lot at a gauge park that, like one of the parks thy we I grew up in and it was close to our house and my parents were taking us there every day and making sure we got her or outdoor activities and we put the kids in the wagon and bring us bring us to the park. So they had a picture at the fountain and that's that's one

keeping my mind. I understand your mom one of your mother's. Big sayings is: if you dream it, then you can do it yeah. If you can dream it and put your mind to it and believe in yourself anything is possible. Always choose unit on us to believe in ourselves and she's like you have to be resolved. I never understood it when I was younger um, I'm thinking I'm like man that come from trying to blame. self. You never really know until until you know and your father's. I think your father's big line is don't compare us to any one else. Yes what it. What does that line mean that's a special line? He would always tell us like don't compare yourself to other people, you don't know how they started, how they have money like you, don't know how they got to where they got. You know like we don't have that, like you, don't compare yourselves cause. We started a completely different way and

raised a different way. So that's a big line here. He would always say: do they have any other favorite sayings that you remember really well one that always stick? My head is my mom saying believe in yourself, like, if you believe in yourself and trust where you can do like. so you can succeed. Where does the angriest your parents ever got it you? Ah, I'm not sure I mean having one time. I took my mom's car odor at every night. I scraped is creep designers, brand new car and I like she always way for me, I was younger, so should always way for me on the couch before I came home and she fell asleep such Need buyer byron. Like man, I gotta I gotta tell her like a cat Yes, yes in the morning, so I think those when I told her she was pretty anxious, lives as one of the most actually well you're a car guys. So could you fix it repayable to repair that one then I didn't. I didn't know too much about that, and also

I was telling her I'd pay for it, and I know how expensive it was going to be, but it was. It was pretty expensive and. for now I see, but back then I can afford in either so she can. Let me offer down when you got your first payment that you buy your parents, all new appliances. Is that true yeah, so I was thinking of giving them a chunk of money, but I'm like like I can do something better than like they, when I didn't even think they would take that. If I, if I offered damages like a big chunk of money, they would just be like no like it's yours as you keep it. So I went to costco and grabbed new fridge new wash her new drier and like when I said whenever you guys want go on like I'll pay for it. So I gave them like three or four vacations and.

for christmas. The one year I I wrote down like you guys can have a free trip back home are free like vacation for you too, so so they took one of those and that's something I do like it's any chance. I can. I can get to just give back to them. I'm gonna do it must be incredible feeling it is when we are all in the fridge an all out. It's like to ratify downstairs that, like came with the house like windows, old way, fridges and that fridge will now break and we went through so many new fridges like so once it breaks is pushing aside and pushes I that's a big there. My parents, though, push something first four years. I know we don't need a new one. We can use that one and finally, I was like I'm getting you guys. A new fridge like I don't care what you say: I'm getting a new fridge and

I have heard. Apparently you've told them that you're going to retire them someday as that troupe dad. So that's that's my next goal. Actually, my side set obviously goals every year and and my goal was to make the nhl and then nominate schools to Retired my parents, shoes I can so what do they say too, that there are two you're not like they are they get very emotional on? because they didn't have much to say about that, but that was just I kind of kind of acquire them a bit but yeah. That's that's something I I want to do for who is the best? Sadly, the family we pray athletic family. I see I'd. Say me, my brother's going can tell you have but I'd say, I'm pretty good at a most ports I didn't grown up in my mom also was was very. I anything she picked up. My daughter's go get soccer player, but I like basketball, unlike the rackets, if he is, he says, he's good, but you isn't the best, but

Her mom is also always really good at pretty much anything she dead so grown up. I think I was. I was bored pretty scale that most stuff and sale of my younger brother use by the same who's, the most competitive pricing myself again, but My brother is competitive like he. He takes his losses to be personal, like he hasn't, beat me in much in in anything, and we always we always go out in every sport, and I think one time I lost him in ping pong. So then I I was training like I'm like I'm, not letting this guy vb like it's just something I have on him like the big brother little brother type of bond. So it's it's great. You know we did. That was Michael Jordan. He last saw pink on to someone on the bulls and he bought the table in his house put it up against the wall. He became the best ping pong player on the team, while a that made him crazy. It's one of the one of the great stories about him with your parents here when they came to montreal to see you play what was that night? Like a special, I mean:

The most special encounter with my parents was when I first sign my contract saw or when, when they told me, I was in the sign So I went to the rank. They told me. I was going to sign there waiting at the hotel and it was like the last game before like they were going to make a decision. So I went back and opened the hotel room and I was like jack eyes like we made it, we did it and then they just completely broke down a nose that was, the more special, but I doubt is here for the home opener, so he had to experience that knows as an excellent game and a more my mom came with my dad, like they just and join the atmosphere in their like. While this is this is the real deal like they are brought them in the room and showed them around and they dislike. I doubt as I can a picture of her dad come on. Let's take a picture. How do you do it you I like this when I was eyes years here like this together, like they're, taking pictures of my stall and all that I'm, like I'm dead, military, my guys, like I've, a game like

get out here. You know like ours. There was also for to soak it all in your dad albanian. So he liked title me right, but then he said to the montreal tyrants: has your dad switch from low tied all me in the maple leafs to them. we're all canadians- oh my god, never never big aki family key, never knew much balky, but he also came here and the biggest sport here so these are watching with his bodies and you found out tied all muse albanian and he thought it using the bass like he was always a tough guy might out. So you loved title is his toughness and our use a smaller guy and went back down to anyone, because that's that's another one of my dad's big lie. Just don't ever back down like on back down, anyone like don't give anyone an edge, and he also he loved he loved ago, that's how he got into hockey, but in hamilton, there's a lot of montreal and the fans, but he thought everyone was a leaf fan like so many guys are leaf. Fans like

Is there any other team? That's canadian that I can cheer for that, the least alike and as much It also has like okay, I'm a montreal fan and we want you all fan my whole life. So that's how we are switching over and I have a seat. I took it upon myself to be a much all fan because of Emmi. Is- that is the situation with the canadians cause. I heard at that time there were some other team starting to look at. You too was the reason he chose montreal No actually there is there is a few teams. I was gonna go to their camps, but I knew Guy here matter can using my corner and. I trust that guy my whole life and he's he's helped me out with like having skates for the summer and and payments like he's he's been he's been the best for that, and I trust I go with everything and

It was always like man like come here. You have a good chance like they got. They got some deeds that have the similar style like they are edmondson, they got weber, they got sure. I, like those guys were called the guys. I was modeling my game after and junior. they said they, like your style, a player. So that's kind of why I direct myself towards the steam tells will Kelly reed yeah. Actually I mean calorie real way back and when first- came to hamilton our eyes. And over to his escapes, deserve pretty cheap at the time- and I was like his guy like after a couple years, ike our shown the jewels reverie one- and I was like the guy for him- and he did a camp actually and he didn't charge us anything, and I think it was like five hundred a week like it was pretty expensive cabin. Yet and therein, both Sudan others, so I gotta I got to meet them and calories has been a great guys. Help me my life and always thank him for that

So take us back to you. Fourteen hamilton and how you got here from there s all I saw airplane like aaa for hamilton. I would like the number one guy therein For years I was kept in assisting captain like I was by one of the top players in the in the alliance, and then we had some friends that went over to the g therefrom hamilton go play in the gts jaw and they were autonomous like man. This is the place like the quality of hockey's is excellent, like it's it's high aki. So so we decided to get release and go, go play and now in toronto and tissue without was about so when I got there, wherever being like, the the guy in hamilton to toronto. They had their guys on their team, so I ended up being like five six on the on a team. Like fifth defenseman six defencemen- and that was kind of when I I started slowing down, because I wasn't

Much I wasn't really taking practice serious either, and so those two years in the titans- that's kind of one I've? I fell off Abed and I've always growing. Also- and I didn't I wasn't a beggar guy like I, I was back then once everyone started growing, they passed me- and I was I was like- I gotta find a way to to compete with these guys like I used to be able to compete with them like why, what's going on now- and I was so impatient with the with the growing thing- and I would always tell my mom like when am I going to all like what's going on, so I went to toronto for two years or three years and then so minor midget. I was, I want to say around five ten, maybe one hundred sixty pounds saw allows one. I almost started growing. and had a pretty good year, but I've run my team was talking about which all teams, I think we had nine nine guys drafted analyses. I am I talking to unlike where, where these teams are talking to you, like, I have an age,

at the time are anything, but I wasn't talking to any teams there, and I thought I had a pretty good year, but I wasn't a skater so and you have not getting drafted. And that wasn't the biggest deal for me, because I was looking at the players that were drafted and I was like I'm. I know I'm better than this kid. I know I know I'm like I know in my head that I'm better than some of these guys like I could have got taken in on. I didn't really take it serious and my mom got out to sit down with me and she was like you can either quit or you can keep going and prove everyone wrong like you got two ways it's it like.

you either stop playing or just play for fun. Free concert proven guys wrong. So I took that really serious and that was a big summer. For me. I ended up growing. I grew to around six monash and and ended up trying out for a couple of junior b teams just for fun like not for fun, but just to see where I matched up. I wasn't going to make them. I was going to play major major, like upset. I was going to play for the bulldog it's major midget, so I ended up doing well in both the junior b skates out. I always ended up as a kid and like why everytime I play high school hockey or something I always played good with the older guys like I could think like them like. I was always going to making quick and so that was something that, even though I was undersized,

something that I always was always pretty good at so in junior, be at those at those tryouts I was. I was a pretty good player and I was like man. I can compete with these guys like physically I'm there like. I can play with these guys, so I ended up making. Teams in katharine's and the world as a sixteen year old. That's that's huge for especially for and on drafted player, because teams, yours you take drafted guy that they know are going to go up to which all next year like cause. They want that for their their organization. So I ended up picking ST catharines because they were they were big time organization for junior b and they always developed good players and always had good teams. So that year I kind of put myself as a player that was going to be physical and hard to play against as a defenceman but still had that offensive flair a little bit, and I realize how big and strong these guys were. So I was like I can't just sit here and and do nothing like I gotta I gotta get

are in sugar. So as a year went on I'm trained in all year, I'm in the gym all year that your get just trying to put on weight. So after that year I end up talking to her, like almost every team, though hm well, and so, when I actually started in ST catharines, a lot of the guys were like don't worry by christmas, the guilt you'll be talking to teams. I never really believed them. I was like I dunno. If that's how it works, then, by christmas, all the teams started coming in and I got invited to almost every o, H, l camp and then ended up picking three camps ago: news, twelve hamilton and kitchener so all three of those camps, and then I ended up liking. Kitchen are the best and they said have a good main cabin there. There might be room for you so that summer trained again all summer long and a lot of my buddies were saying,

you should side with a junior, a team like sign of the junior b team. So in case that doesn't work out like you can go to junior b team, and that was just in my head. I was like why I would you go to a trial, knowing you're already on another team like you're, just gonna, be like. Okay, if I don't make it on that yeah, I got a safety. Not exactly sounds like I'm not doing that. I'm I'm going to kitchener, I'm making that team I'm going to make that team. So obviously I went and they offered me a spot, so that was as huge at the time and playing there for for three years was awesome and obviously develop my game a lot throughout the years with the Dennis wideman Jay Mckee, then obviously the time came and they trade me to hamilton and Jamie Keegan. My coaches was special and he is, I glad to have you back and I see he had me when I was a younger guy, so I wasn't his guy. I was I was working,

into it and then being an older guy on his team and being b and his guy go to. Guy was pretty special, and so we ended up winning the championship and then, after that, obviously I came here and I didn't I wasn't expecting to to make it really, but I kept my head down kept grinding I've kind of spotty or sos it's been a long career, but it's it's it's it's starting yeah! It's been a it's been a long journey for me. Like all the ups and downs. It's it's been crazy cause I've never been the guy like. Since I can remember, I've never been the guy. I've never been drafted higher or anything like that. So it's obviously going undrafted nhl. This was pretty tough too, but I just took it as a hl draft mike it's the same thing like you. Rather, you can get drafted, keep going, prove people wrong

or you can just give up like and goals go somewhere else. You know so there's no way your parents are learning you give up now. No way out is not tomorrow, not in our nature. It's on the jacket family nature to give up its the seed. I've never give up. I would but do what they want in a life where we're not quitters so and of can in toronto in the nhl around the ones that were ahead of you, not that I can think of man. It's not so it's as pretty cool, and they this most of them are texting me actually and they're. Like wow like to see you do it. do it's it's unbelievable. We met she, whether at all or is woven, am time. I was when I was here for the first time I was so nervous and the price were standing. There are those guys, religions are like I'm pretty sure they said like amount operators as a good hour. You, unlike head down the way I was like what am I doing text. My mom is like this and hey what's up like I've. Never actually,

to him, but I'd love to sunday of all your nicknames, which is your over one- I got a lot. I thank god. the new ones wifi now that it's it's pretty funny, but I think my favorite is owl cause a dennis wideman. He was like what do they call you like what what's your nickname and I was like well, my friends back home call me arbs and he's like arbs, I'm not saying that until he's like I'll think of something. So he came back and said: you're going to be AL like Al Arbour, the coach, so that is a you know that isn't at the time I was like. Oh I dunno, who that is. I know that is now, but at the time I didn't know that was, and that was kind of a nickname that I really liked, and I didn't think it was going to stack. I might keep calling me I'll, no one's going to call me out, but in kitchener every time there are known as owl from every player from people outside of the rain click it, and I was born my favorite. Hopefully it sticks now you shut it. Am I not they like wifi year. Our thanks so much

Like you, I really appreciate your after the break you'll hear from arbour. parents about their journeys to canada and racing. A family of four children in hamilton, okay, hey mom and dad. I just want to say thank you guys for everything and if you guys so much- and I know I'm just starting my career- but it's going to be a long journey and and a great life In early december I travelled to hamilton to meet up with arbours parents, simona and jack. The sheridan hotel the place, the two of the man- almost five years ago. Everybody go here's our car precision with simona and then here. The sit down with generally willing are so what were you doing today before he came in for the interview that nato is changing,

I was doing my job and, as such I said, I'm working calls glow in dire chopin, Yeah braywick tyres winter season. Right. That's right: how long have you been doing that for three years, yeah just indices unlike in spring and full and otherwise some work on the floor as a as a stoker on or whatever is needed to be where are. We gets his hands from now in from two he's dead, because the system which has been like the last not only to see your son in the age l, but the overall well, mainly positive reaction to your son's arrival in the nhl ads. It's crazy, isn't it. It really reflects reflex omni scarp there, because he always mule what he wanted and for us it was kind of in oh ok, just sluts go with the flow bogged down.

I I think, is just reflection of his determination and unwell to succeed, and I feel that duh. He knows where he came from what kind of shrug off my cell phone and my husband. Now you know I've sacrifice final form. I am an all children relate and done. I felt that he's doing this for all of us and he wanna broth, really what we came from here. Right. Tell me what it means if you believe it, you can be it if you very few achieve what does that mean? It's me Don't you know like became to Canada who but a future, I didn't mean to stay. Here and there I just gainful a bed and done I seen the year abort. Turning to him, I think like anybody can be anything you like anybody can achieve whenever you know its desire to yourself and depend

How are you want it and a large you work for it, and you know I just taken my gets like don't take no fund some tommy, Will your during your born in the former czechoslovakia, I read that you were there during the velvet revolution, that's right, and so how did you come from there to here Actually I went to england right after the revolution and are just too old four off my my english, because I am most each over there and there was something that it was just coming into our country. Unlike the more english than russian, we were occupied by russia right so just to go. England, learn a lot better information and damn it didn't turn out as I expected Ivan school there, but it was mostly working seven days a week, and so I came back two years later and I start de chain- and I had my own bar- I will work

in the night, I'm in the bar at during the day as a teacher and down, I fall in love. and unfortunately it didn't work out very good and die girl that I have met in england. She was already here and I was into her, and she said you know I just pack your backs come here applies than any man. Just get your mind, oh bed and and down you know come here. It's got so I did a blog. I unlocked one off because I spoke in english and a little bit and I was the triumph that like family reconnect dead within. months- and I came here- that's how it really there now and how I was outside today on twenty six years Did you ever imagine that twenty six years later, he still be here with a fan

some of them out of it. Now, as I said, I just came now, you know to have a bright and down. I was here one week and I am jack. Of course. At that point I did I'm gonna, do nothing in others to any man ever kind ever see. Oh, so he whispered empiricism. So yet now I understand that we are late meter away. I know that's that's race area. Can you tell the story of how you and jack Matt? I was here with my girlfriends that I just saw recently met for the first time most one week that I was here and die, then I will sit right there

adding us and do one of the girl. I guess she had a crush on a yeast friend or whatever and DA she kind of poke me as she sat down. You know it's off the eleven. The boys finish work and under they are coming, and yet it's like yesterday, I can see him as the is the huge baggy pants and a red velvet blazer and, busies cowboy boots that he always loved, and yet you just was standing by the beyond on now. Stand me down. So when I get up to go to the bathroom I boss, anthony descent, I can I introduced myself and add. The rest is historically How was it was an attraction right aware? Did he did he have to work? I think he dead yeah make us I think that

For me, you know meeting somebody from different countries like there was no question that I would ever married somebody else that check I like it was kind and for him I think it was as of all like we're, like all alts was really against us. Like my grandmother gnit, like air to enter. I think he's family was against. You know him to finding some other. You know: nationality, girl and he's france, and they all telling him that I want to just marry him because, as though paper some stuff like that, so that we can approve Everybody were all the talk about. The job in and there were people helped you along the way and helped your family, not only arbour. That's a lie the way but you'll come generosity. People show our definite, nay. Like, Mr Mr sport, ride. Like it's it's time money, you know dedication other families taking the gates for tournaments.

we were working in an down abbe born rarely giving us break because they they seen in a way as is the friend when you grow up here, and you have got your bans here that you know you can pick up the phone then say, mom, I'm running you know. Out of Can I jump over and whenever bogged down at song, its referendum new depend just on each other, and we had done just each other for four kids and down. So, as I said, MIKE was the mister time we found people that do in know give us break even financially. Thou wast made some kind o ideal- there's- always good people. Yes, always always you find good people have. You are right and, as I said before, we always saw you know, Ghana found that redone belong like I will some unknown my on this one will solve. We are sold ice

working in an importance night shifts. That's the only thing that I could do, because the gentlest of main right make our right so and the sports go too expensive and I was four of them it was. It was difficult, so I have stopped working and importance to how about financially ride so like having gets in sports and everything it sound. You meet to doctors, bodies of his son and doubt teacher. son in also long, so I couldn't take every friday or I could em you know thank them to drawn. I couldn't take them to other cities for their no man, so it was mostly jag who did downloaded driving on a beacon but on a friday we always doing it. How tight and, as is amiss that gets so kelly red eye He was very helpful. Two hours a day with that it's really golden guide this, it's one of the union,

Well, that you meet and they steak right so and and and he was always- I think I think he liked us sub because, sir, as I said like we don't have no families, it was just sir jack and myself and not like gila arbor skates few times he had humanities discipline for free and and yeah. I mean it's hard because his people's business- and you just feel you know you don't want to be around you, don't wanna take and men, they tried they like calling you and they said no bring him like. I can and he its funding. Gus gully always seen something in arbour. You no other people, s like all whatever, but there are few people that you now seen something in him since he was le like he was really really good hockey player manual slow. I can using LAO right, but they so many gets like that. I'd like it something it's something that

it caught his eye and and he was very, very helpful yeah. You know what I would like to think that anybody in my position would would do the same when, when you find out somebody's hockey is expensive. The training is expensive. Ice costs are expensive, equipments expensive, it adds up, and when you see somebody like arbor come out and work hard and his focus is a great kid he's at the front of the line trying to win every drill and battle you want. You want to help. Somebody like that and jack simona and and Florian the younger brother, they're, fantastic family, so at least I could do was was help out any way. I could- and you know obviously it's It'S- it's terrific to see see all his hard work paid off. I always sowed you know tell them. I tell my kids, all of them that it takes just one person. One person to believe.

You I give you a chance and what you do with that. It's up to you either you can take it and you know run or you can just boss it out of eight zero moment when you guys, like you said you tell your son and your daughter's always to believe, but I'm apparent we always till her children to believe, but the odds happening for an nhl player are so slim was there a moment where you actually began to think ploy smokes. This could happen. I think than big big moment of austrian. He actually sign when he sign of as the canadians he got invited in a few come see, invited than in montreal in tehran. Awe- and I believe in florida and down of was talking to me it's funny because during the

like all the interviews and everything was done through their fates time or zooming right. So this always arbour, like you, throw me in a basement men and he's telling us like. Like guys, you need to be quiet, because on his own ways of whatever right rangers, and so we in my husband might have got the ears nor I think I'm listening and lay like what's going on right like near the so how they finish jump like anything is happening right. So he comes up sesame alike solve like what did they say, while nothing like like it's all good, like he's very cool like he doesn't want to brag nothing, I can't it's like nothing. So we like on, like all shrank away so jack, like a date that he tells you know a bit more or less. make sure you know you talk to him so anyway, so van now Alban down, so we kind I think it was in this matter up right, like they talk and they cannot decide. Ok, let's do the monterey

I think it would be grateful for your whenever soul, when he must such leaving our mike now. This is from the arctic, like eagles invited like people's gonna. Look at him. I, like it important people so when he was all the time now. Ok, I'm not count, I'm not god to them. Like, oh, my god like what's goin on So we went there for the last hour braces enjoying myself and my husband begun. Their disdain he's hold thou, so he went. and I'm online became to be seen, the hokey game became too hot thou. The our online, like this humble son, to a child this on its cupful. There's this on an he s. Name is not coming up and I'm like. Ok, I said the jack openly line like I'm, I'm getting like really anxious like out. What's going on like we did, he had no idea right, so we waiting for an hour. I said: ok, let's go eat something because I'm gonna bust idea, so even

sweet. We came back there. Another hour passed, nothing some texting in nothing. Looking online, nothing, ok, so so sitting there waiting for him and suddenly the door of the of the hotel room, but oh ben, and he standing there and he spread his wings and he said mom and dad. We did it an if I don't wanna get motion, but it was the momentum that I seen him achieve these dreams, and I make this is it. It was something I thought to myself. I did in o thou anybody about that moment. That moment I thought anything is possible. Tell us

I it's a it's a beautiful story. I mean I don't know what could top that, but watching an occasional what it's like to watch. The fans react for him cause. He gets big ovations and big cheers cleanings fans they love. Imagine anything better than what you just described but to see the way the fans of embraced. It's funny, it's funny because som I was back in the czech republic visiting my family. When was the opening night, of course, the time difference. So my best friend she said I'm working tomorrow. but come begun a watch. It still work in a morning. Whatever was that, so we came as my daughters and down watching that I was crying and I was like it. I cannot imagine my husband

If there was my son- and I I cannot imagine he's hazards that due to Florian he said, can you pinch me like in your country, and I talk to him after he was like out and like I felt like I'm it as something unimaginable gripes oh yeah. It's it's crazy! It's crazy and seeing all the you know, kids wearing these jerseys and her the other day. I was in an important new line and they're scared with the jacket the shirt. So it's like that's my kid the cell to say that to the now without ours is not right. That feeling. next day wifi, you know enough, but now I like sharing better achieve better but whatever whatever, thus ryan diesel. I understand you bought. You knew appliances,

when he signed his contract and I actually reached his told you he wants to retire you a dead yeah at some yeah. It was for my birthday. I send me text message and then he said mom. The next step is, I want you under to govern without a doubt, so as each at the edge which they were. You saw that message. One do you think I know that I am bade emotional, son and I realized so by gets. Warned me. Please don't cry on that even after, like our progress along this now it so yeah. I get very emotional special air, like with my children and down. I was telling your producers, when I was pregnant. I used, I almost lost my husband and tat enough that guy crisis. I think you know

oh, I don't know how to explain. It is just u bombed west's your child. I know it's hard to understand for the guys, but as a mom like I just feel this arbour, I have got a different kind of bond. Of course, off your kids, like it's, your kids and I want you, know, give my life for all of them, but with him is just as is just a firm as just lulla different. If you're comfortable, what happened? Would you when he was working in it's funny story jewel because I had broken. My thoughts are few days prior that it happened to him. I was song, I thinks seven months, pregnant, seven or six offspring armies arbour and

guy now don't tell your pregnant wife now. So if she need something, you need to do it right away. So I ask my husband to put by pat on the back yard and he set I'll be right. There, of course, is not good enough, so I grabbed the flight ban and I was a scurrying unabashed count, the nitrate I fell down, so I broke my foot and of course you know you got knocked as pregnant and not half know who you know x, ray tastes and stuff like that, so I was kind of lying in an account which was slanted toddler and two while she was not rarely thoughtless. She was saw almost here. She was almost gear play for his daughter, Sophia n da left for afternoon shift and die phone rotten and they go

from my national steel car, that there was some low occident over there and he's taken to hospital, adjust precaution. What happen I ask my neighbour to look after sofia and to her husband drove me to hospital, and I show up their annual sky now in your lying o, shaking like looking like he's dying, suddenly all the machine to end like bananas and they took him. for the surgery and dull seven hours later, he came out a sad dead that would have He was working in an now car. voting it and tat. They had a jack that it will spread s, I guess vowed arm and it broke, and ten thousand pound hid him in his domino cool, so he stood on wet enough far away.

and because there was no blood or anything they were taking him out of foreign clat or concussion, but what it themselves that his bank house was stolen. So he was two years without work. Author of searching me out. So ever I was yeah. It was very very at that time. I want to end this basque me, one question: how was arbour as a college going voice. He was excellent there that now very good. Then he I got to the people I liked him over there as he was very helpful. I think he was lola bit too chatty for the manage panel about that and he will he was late because he was make from training. That's another story about tat. I think he will sign was by a vague at him And I assume the whole store room for him right out. As I look like a heartfelt, let's, not just your son, it's there's yeah carried the day, the secular they gave me the jersey. She was so excited that she got me because some are we going to morrow and she's

but that he sounds. Nice saw last name on the jerseys and does who she asked me if I could get it sign, and she said when we have got, though the jersey day bear the jersey right. So she said I hope everybody who has got anything like any jersey from him. They re gonna varied it's going to be like jack Eichel skull. I thought it would be funny. I am so. She was saying that she so broad like ads. It's good. It's good, looks screwed stuff, I join with great all right now we're going for real, check all your answers jack and ensure that our one second snakes everybody they okay, so jack. Just before you got here today where we work, I was working in national scale down the road.

Stars. And how long have you been doing that almost thirty years? And you talked about how that's peaceful for you? Why do you enjoy it? So much goats my finger on why I like to work with my hands? Okay, that's what I got the job and that's why I enjoy doing now is arbor a handsome guy or no though I dont say so so you didn't area or give members got my side, but not now the guy, he's, got the other side's. What's the other side, the other side, this tough guy. Lies below stall uses sounds whatever the reasons. Why didn't an ice on all these new born oversees in the balkans Don't you end up in camp battle, was gonna get about that situation and no love?

when my mom, my mom, was alive. She was say: leave leave, leave their country, so I had to I was there was looking for me for some will army. I didn't want to go to army back home and I had to say so I couldn't get any password my uncle workforce, government, and then he, these somehow got near passport. So I to macedonia from suddenly I run to sweden from sweden, ireland who, in london from england I end up in general. albania that you laughed imagine you ran wait. What does that mean? listen was like a because when the even if I had the passport, I had a passport, but if I go to cross the border run, hiv the passports and everything still would not. Let me go through as soon as they see. My name is lay was looking for me to some do army. I don't go to me.

Was, he was lawyer, was a break in war between no laws, slovenian bosnian, croatian and I didn't want to end up in army. I didn't want to go that I want to. I want to The congress or when we ran to the border between macedonia and commercial law. Some people was be stopped, but just before the checkpoint, and Some people was written in one small cafe her breasts on so there we start talking to them on the other. We have to walk through village because you can't go through the borders. Have you all here, then? we'll. Let you will have your children are logical, so we had to walk through the village and across the border in the car, within the other side will be jumped in a car and ran to Macedonia. Please forgive my ignorance. Was that a dangerous thing to do? It was it was. I know what it was,

you have to take it. You have to take the risk, it was no other way. You couldn't go the other way. was it all. You will never leave the country and how did you end up in canada, When I went to Sweden, I start talking some people over london, one guy? I was telling him my stories or wonder, given his passport and done with pictures and then I want to take up, and then I thought london. I've heard that canada is a vast country in the world. For me, one day I bought a ticket with swedish passport and when I jump in applying plane, bundle bathroom flip the passport, and Nah nah end up in jail, and so what's the process. When you, sure but the euro? As soon as I shall happen, everybody wants rule check the passports I was sitting down and because I don't have any papers and then

There are some old lady over there. She was waving her hands. I come over for wear, so I go and she says passport. Then I didn't even speak the language I didn't speak a word of english. I learn anything and I start talking I said a few words and then she's, like I said albert, albanian. That's what I didn't. You went down the she forgot me, translator and dutch such through the phone. I haven't. I say this as a verse, his passport, I set out how passport I'm a refugee, so I work late, missouri effigy so then, after what we did all the paperwork and she saw them leave and then I don't even have a jacket on she's like what is going on that is the minus forty or low you're gonna die, so she got some jacket gave it to me I guess they called axion. They took it all salvation army because other have nowhere to go. I live. I don't know, I don't know anything.

when I wrote this always army was open. I zealously, while unbelievable. So what happened? Then? How did you get star? so the others work in and around streets up and down, and I was so One day I was walking down the street and I hear some people talking my language shall I start talking to them and I explained my my situations, all data man. in the shower and clean clothes proper foods. Then they introduced me to some other guy. In the room which is from hamilton and then he was- and he said you have no job or anything, I said no and then he said I are going to get your job with this national steel hartselle. He got midge of error and That was and is still there and I've still got our left. All my friends, I had so many fronts.

came down and they all laughed with me. I never loved. You still keep in touch with those people who helped you of course. Of course I was the source of loss, loss of france for 'em or hikers. My friends are my friends. Just as a part of my life, I still keep in touch with them, and that was nineteen. Eighty four and I still got fuel. Then they moved to hamilton saw week or something offer just to talk about the start of the old days. And what do they say? What arbour another they see, arbour officer's they so happy. I do so just now on the little, but all this not too many people and get involved with a special area. Albinism lay like soccer and for me

what might get some hockey, they was helpful than they were so they thought I'm crazy, because its hawk is very expensive war, but this Simone ass family was into the hall We started the south. The one store that arbour told I love about you was that everybody loved the leaves, so you didn't want, like the one we came in. we start. Watch and half everybody will say it. I don't I don't I don't. We saw we watch the game and all my friends are less than- and I said now we gonna be one alone. Size chose withdraw them. That was my team thing warmer when it will look at We always was mother. All games like tv and done arbours, not following the love of Monterrey. Also was there was one thing: they must be unbelievable to you that you're sitting here now and your son is all every says something is sought on the soil is just

something. I can explain resists the son of the refugee issue to make it to nhl. Is it's its huge, its use for me? The law are all our life. He was struggling because hockey is been expensive, so we had to. We decided to have forgets and hockey is very expensive worth, but reimagined somehow solve yours were good friends out. There will take care. Of course, I had villa la la la la france. La France like some of them are, are like our family, so they they help us a lot. We wouldn't do it with. Without them. It was struggle. So, two years after you come to hamilton, you get your job. I understand there's a day where you finish work and a friend says let's go over to meet some friends at the shared in downtown howled and what happened so with us with

me and my two: what is I know them for thirty years we are very good friends, one. His name is this matter and the other one is then dean. Also we, when they said the dinner at on meat in my friend so she's, unless ruined. I was working so again for work work for jason and and video here be walking up the stairs the smaller was sit up with france right there in the lessons and you are wearing a red velvet jackets and baggy jeans, baggy jeans, so this is all trend and the cowboy was your favorite, your favorite calvin might say: ok I'll wait with you still have them had. No, my friends are the the usual it somewhere? I never take them off even in the summer and way by the piano and then she would

why and we shook our hands, and that was it now. My my we always joke friends does the one you love make you work for them to do this Today there are severe mirabeau number. We start up, there's nothing to be ashamed of. What on earth then should get me wrong for number. So nice day we walk up, I've fallen and us a number of these services. And then my browsers, no worry The numbers will have called her friend and her friend was giving them the number and we start talking, and that was it. What's the best thing about your relationship with someone off it's the best, she is very smart, intelligent. She she,

besides. She puts everybody before her, so she's always look for the kids she's a family woman. She had a saying that arbour talked about, which was, if you believe it, you can be it are also suitable. You that you, eta singly, don't compare us to anyone. That's what I said this and are burnt on. There are still anybody we be doing our best lesson. We came to this country with nothing. We had no money, nothing, they win I spent a lot of people here, lay hands on Monday and laughed and this don't go barriers to any other families, because had been able to some of the families, they have massive policies and a lot of money and we are not right. We live in downtown view. We bought a house right after about twenty years ago. What I said it is what it is

just be doing our best and wait. Was there a time when you started to watch and play, and you said, wait a sec, there's there's something here. This could go somewhere, whoa whoa. Of course. I know I always believed on on him, like you could see who's got it at one, because I played soccer myself. So a lot of people think all hockey is a different sports. I started watching hockey. I started learning the game and I I could see he had a protection and then I was telling him all the time either you got it through. Just shut up go and do it with every game, and you know everybody's got good games bad games it's in reruns of the diet and sometimes really rankled the coaches and all that and there's no way home. He was saying all this. I want to wait. I said we are not quitters. This year we are going to finish the season. Next year we got a different team you're going to have different coach. We take it from there.

Does he really hockey at all you play soccer ngos and all similar exactly my table? my friends, my frank. I say here I go the event. The first time offenses hold a you're dead man, some kind of soccer player. I was, though, I like to play like that, since, like I see them, they are birthplace, same hairstyle as me. I was telling smaller before that when we did the interviews with martin, ST louis and Brendan Gallagher, the thing that they talked about with arbor was not that he was tough or a fighter, but that he very skilled and arbor really appreciated that he said for years. I was telling people I'm not a goon, I'm not gonna, very skilled player. What is it two new, knowing that that's how his teenage and his couch think about It means amene. Somebody means because

is he suffered himself an interview? I'm not I'm not a goal, and I can I can play the game. I s very skilled hog if my arm, but he's got it after so he's got both sides by tough or they can play their escape though, and I always molly than him no matter what I want is not bother, you got it it's. Just not a push yourself through you've got to do it so when he was deciding he had some opportunities. I guess the maple has talked to him. The canadians talked to him. Other teams talk to him. Did you ever say you know, arbour, I love the canadians, you should you should go there. while I agree talk about it is about time I do I myself my name. I young, I said you should go to canadians month. I said you're, the one

who's going to make the decision that you're the one who's going to play there. So him and his agent then matter, and they all talk him Allah. Then they decide to go to canadians, which was beautiful vapour me. So I just I love it, and then he went to canadians so tell me about that night, when you're sitting in your hotel room in Montreal me me and we run through the from london. She always jackson apologies. If she does all that stuff. And then she was just like that- well. She says she's alive, Obviously, still around them and then like we, we are just like it's very stressful with stars, you like me and her? We waited over there and waited and waited and then stan. Always she said they still only still in it was going on almost as I don't know he doesn't for nothing. He don't know he. Just though,

in a door and opened the door a subject. I family with data. That was something stay forever with me. That was too unreal. What did you do any? So we me her and we got off a start guide on how get home and it was really was so happy. There was something is unbelievable. Severe for beautiful story opening night, so someone is in the czech republic lodging with her daughters and you're with your son in the crowd. So, first of all, you get the honor of hearing your son's name introduced. It was like, while went to the name with his name, but that the was was real. Nice pictures I face. I took a friend from oakwell, he drove us. He's a fan. He said I'm going to dive and do mine. If I come along, I said no man, why not say let's go to go together, so we ran and it was like when they announce his name. It was like I said to him. I said man,

It is worth nothing because I dunno. If this is surreal, if just something issue play from our where we come from and no latin from our where we work and beat because we struggled paycheck to paycheck to raise the family and it's from the to make it to the nhl. It's something something vague it's just I can just ride the wards, etc. if you're, proud on very proud. I understand that ann arbor bought new appliances when he signed his first contract. That I also understand he's told you in simona that he will retire yeah. That's what urban someone else

simona was the one whose birthday was at the he was away, and then he rolled on a message. He said my thing is to retire your dad's house. He knows where we come from and know he knows will be always tell them. This is where we come from. It's not nothing handed to us in the how'd. You say in the silver plated everything we have to work for it and as it gets was gone alpo played hockey and we have four kids. So it was when there was my lesson when I was home with them and I I had to work and build a rail cars and we gather how to wear construction, though nothing that's more talked about than she's, very proud of, and I I was guessing the same for you is said all four of your children that we've seen arbor and see what a nice person he is sounds like all of your children are very very

for very nice children, respectful people are they are your children. Similar are they differently anyway, Sophia she's firefly, no she's, not exactly my kind of personality is exactly like she's. Exactly like me, she's she's, a tough girl she's, also varied tumbled down to earth a few, the approach, in a nicer way. She would give her your her heart. If your posts are in one wrong way, then you've got a problem then now arbour, norbert, is very nice. Get humbles, don't orders when it goes in eyes when it goes those the worse completed there a person. Has I always knows I was not with him when you water, we oppose those doors, is no friends over there and he knew about nanda knew that dominate our she's. Very smart, intelligent, she's value, unbelievable

thirty million algerian was young. I was very skilled hog if I'm done it all. Kitchener larvae said to him besides flow. Everybody knows you can should depart everybody. who can play the game. They want to see the societies of what is the other side. I want to see if you could double so he goes the kitchen when drops gloves and right away that one assigned him, I said this is that when they want to see, if you can write- Someone said that she doesn't like it when our fights she does those we always ask me. Ok, Ok, I love the ices. Tylenol does I do it. I love it. What's the best thing about the first thing: is the same mica succeeds. That's my

I was always my my dream to make its the bees I tell always with some of this is the contrary. Nothing is something this is just another warfare. Whenever you want to become in this country, you will become just gonna work hard for it. This is beautiful country. You just gotta doing the best thing is to see my gets succeed. That's something is unreal Thank you so much. We really appreciate your time. So beautiful story. and We would like this bank chantelle, marcia and charles, send on port wine from the montreal canadians communication team for helping us with this piece. The feature erected by Jeremy macklewain. He added by mark we produced by almost deluged with. You're mad with by zat, agis and final

thanks to simona jack and arbor, for sharing their story to watch the full peace going to sports. That's youtube, channel and search arms, jack, I or click below in our shown us listen to thirty two thoughts: the podcast free on amazon, music included with prime