Mar 3, 2010

Where Are They Now: Dave Wescott

As the Black Hawks prepare to meet Sioux City Wednesday night, Karen’s Print Rite presents an update on forward Dave Wescott, who spent time with both clubs.

After starting the 1981-1982 as a member of the Musketeers, Wescott found his way to Waterloo a few weeks into the season.  The early 1980’s were a low point for the Hawks in terms of success on the ice; Waterloo won just 11 of 48 games in 1981-1982.  Still, Wescott was among the team’s top players, in spite of missing the first several weeks worth of Black Hawk games.  Appearing in the lineup 35 times, Wescott was tied for fifth in scoring when the year ended, notching eight goals and 19 assists.

Ice has remained important to Wescott in his post-hockey career.  He serves as the Director of Facility Programs for an organization that helps ice rinks with all types of questions or concerns.  “STAR,” or Serving The American Rinks, was a joint effort of USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating formed a decade ago.  Working on issues from ice maintenance to generating program ideas for local rinks, Wescott has a unique perspective on winter sports.  We asked him about his experiences in his current job and his memories from playing in Waterloo.

Black Hawks: In the early 1980’s, before the USHL Draft, how did young players find their way to USHL teams?

Dave Wescott: Well I was fortunate enough to be asked to try out for the U.S. National Junior Team in Colorado Springs. If you look at rosters from that time, most players were from Minnesota and North Dakota, then coaches started to travel in the summer looking for players. Our team had a good mix from all over the country. The league was only a year or so [away] from being an all professional league when I played there.

BH: What led you to Waterloo after circumstances had not worked out in Sioux City?  At that time, how did the two teams compare?

DW: I was moved from Sioux City to Waterloo by the coaches. Ed Starkey in Waterloo agreed to accept me after Bob Ferguson in Sioux City who had too many right wings. Sioux City had a new owner that year and was running a good program, but coming to Waterloo I noticed the community was much more supportive in Waterloo than in Sioux City. The best part was averaging two goals a game against Sioux City for the remainder of the season!

BH: Your year in Waterloo was rough as far as wins and losses.  How did the players cope with the tough stretches on the ice, the coaching changes, and some of the other adversity in those years?

DW: The players really became a close knit group back then and we relied on each other. If you were able to go back and look, we played the best at home against the best teams in the league.  We changed coaches, but all of them were great in my eyes. Scott Murphy stands out to me, he was a local guy that did his best, and it was a privilege to play for him. Another big help was the host families and fans. We knew no matter what we had the best fans in the league!

BH: What stands out in your memory about being in Waterloo during those seasons?

DW: McElroy Auditorium was an historic place in the league and the history of Black Hawks hockey was legend. The games that really stood out to me were the games against Dubuque; Jack Barzee was their coach and the fans hated him more than we did. He pulled his team one night because the fans were so hard on HIM! I have to say my host Bill Abbas was a great guy and has done more for players, not only on the Black Hawks but also the baseball players he hosted in the summer. Thanks Bill!
 
BH: Do you still stay in contact with any of your Black Hawk teammates or others in the community?

DW: Well I married a Waterloo girl, Patti Shelton from West High, so I have always been back in Waterloo every year. We were married in St. Edwards Church and I’ll never forget, because the team came into the service late and made a grand entrance!  We are still married after 27 years. It’s always nice to see old coaches and friends when I go back. I did keep in touch with a few players, because I did move to Colorado after the season and hung out with Jeff Hansen from that team.

BH: Staying connected with Waterloo through your family, from an outside perspective, how have you seen the Black Hawks organization change in the time since you played?

DW: It has been great to see the not only the Black Hawks but the entire USHL grow to become the premiere junior league in the country. I think building Young Arena and the recommitment by the organization with the support of the community has helped to make the Black Hawks a team that players really want to come and play for. Back in the McElroy days, we couldn’t even have a training camp and started the season late because of Cattle Congress. The Organization has come a long way since then, much more professional and focused on providing not only a good product, but more importantly, helping to grow great young men and help them onto the college and professional levels. I am very proud to say that I played for the Waterloo Black Hawks!

BH: Where did you go after Waterloo?

DW: Well after leaving Waterloo, I spent eight years in Denver, Colorado playing and working on my Engineering Certification. Then I started a career in the ice rink business and ended up in Florida where I have been for the last 20 years. When I moved to Florida, we had four rinks in the state. Now we have 22 rinks and it was great to be a part of hockey growing in Florida.

BH: We understand you ended up working at two Olympics. How did that happen? 

DW: Well, I have always been a part of USA Hockey as a volunteer coach and administrator. Then as a rink operator, I was able to host many regional and national tournaments. My reputation for providing good ice for tournaments, even in Florida, gave me the chance to apply for the job I now hold as Director, Facility Programs for STAR.

I was assistant Director of Competition for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Games. I was in charge of two of the hockey ice rinks during the games and helped prepare and make the ice for all of the hockey venues there. In 2006, I was Ice Master for all the hockey rinks used at the Torino Olympic Games.

This was a great honor, and although I didn’t get to the Olympics as a player, I did get there for Ice Hockey!

Where Are They Now is presented by Karen’s Print Rite.