This article marks the first of a month-long series in which Daily sportswriters interview members of the Boston Bruins - topics range from this year's playoff picture, to the NHL in the post-lockout era, to what it's like to live as a professional athlete in Boston.
Apparently, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Despite the fact that their combined 2006 salaries equal roughly a lifetime of earnings for an average American, three elite hockey players on the Boston Bruins say that they miss their pre-NHL days.
"I think a lot of it is the social aspect, just [the] things that go on in your daily life when you're at a college," defenseman David Tanabe said. "You miss just having a lot of friends around, especially friends that aren't hockey players or connected to hockey."
It may be difficult for college students to fathom how professional athletes could be envious of student life, given the glorified role granted to professional athletes through the litany of sports networks and internet portals - not to mention the outrageous salaries awarded to today's athletes. Yet without demeaning their current situation, the Bruins interviewed for this article all cited unique reasons why their college years were their favorite.
Left wing Dan LaCouture misses the connection that his social life had with his status as a student-athlete.
"You miss going out after the games, [because] you're really a celebrity on campus," said LaCouture, who played for Boston University before leaving early to sign with the Islanders. "I had a great time living in the dorms, and having people from your school being at the games. Everybody knows you play for the BU hockey team. It's an honor."
In an interview after a Friday morning practice, veteran defenseman Hal Gill was even more candid when it was pointed out that many Tufts students were probably still sleeping off their Thursday night fun.
"I'd give anything to go back to college," Gill said. "I miss everything about [it]. It was like you were on the edge of the unknown - you didn't know what was coming up. Life now is a little more scripted."
Gill, who spent his college days playing at nearby Providence College, said it was the things that most students probably take for granted that were the most important to him.
"Going out with the guys and having dinner, the day-to-day life things at Providence," he said. "It's the little things that I miss."
All three players agreed that there was a social aspect to college that their own lives as professional athletes couldn't rival. And while the obvious homework assignments and tests were easily forgettable, most everything else was not.
"There are so many stories and memories, and to me that's what it's all about," said Tanabe, pausing to laugh. "It's about having time and really getting it before you get out into the real world. And trust me, I went to Wisconsin, so I had plenty of fun times."
When asked to share some of his more amusing tales, Tanabe declined.
"I don't know if I can share any of them with you," said Tanabe, a grin creeping across his face. "They'll get somebody in trouble."
