Mr. 2001-2002 (Adam Chapman)

Ten years ago, when he proudly wore the legendary barber pole on his back, Adam Chapman didn’t think he’d be where he is now, “I’d say no, this is not even anywhere close to where I pictured myself, but at the same time I’m pretty happy where I am.”

Things were different back then and Adam’s focus was on his junior hockey career. The well-spoken 29 year old took me on a bittersweet trip down memory lane to the early 2000s, a very exciting time for the 67’s.

In Adam’s rookie season, in 1999, the 67’s were on top of the world after having won the Memorial Cup the previous season. They were Champs! This, he explains, created mixed feelings for the young “Chappy”, making his first home opener both a thrilling, and scary experience he won’t soon forget.

“To be honest it was quite intimidating. During my rookie training camp I actually got hurt. I missed all of our exhibition games at home. My very first game experience in Ottawa was actually opening night. Skating out on the ice with over ten thousand people staring at you and cheering, you’re just kind of looking around in a little bit of a daze because there’s just so many people there screaming for you. That’s a very fond memory. There are very few, if any, arenas that can rival that kind of a crowd. At the same time you know that you’ve got to put that all behind you because you’ve got one of the greatest coaches the league ever had, standing behind the bench waiting for you to show that he made the right choice picking you for the team.”

As frightening as the experience was for Adam, it certainly didn’t skew his opinion of playing for Brian Kilrea and the 67’s. “It was pretty intimidating but at the same time I know a lot of guys welcome the challenge of playing in Ottawa, for what it is, and that’s one of the best opportunities around.”

Playing for Ottawa wasn’t the only opportunity he got in his junior career. A few trades landed Adam in Sault St-Marie and Saginaw before his time in the OHL expired. "It was a much different atmosphere in all three cities. Ottawa was much more relaxed away from the rink than the other towns. It was good in that there was a lot expected of you, but you were expected to do it on your own, you weren’t forced to do any of it. Sault St. Marie and Saginaw, they were expecting you to follow what they wanted and not letting you grow up on your own, which was a really tough thing to get used to after living in Ottawa for so many years.” When asked if he had a favorite, Adam doesn’t hesitate to say Ottawa. “I’m slightly biased because I spent so much time there.”

Today, Adam has hung up his skates in exchange for a life he had never pictured himself in. After his junior career, he attended the University of Prince Edward Island for four years and played on their team while working part time. It was during this time that he met his partner of six years, Kyla, and his life started shaping into what it is today.

“I have two kids with her. I have a three year old son named Kaleb, and I have a 21 month old daughter named Lily.” In May of this year, Adam and Kyla moved their family to Hay River, North West Territories for Kyla’s job. “I went from my comfort zone of hockey and the construction industry, to banking. I’m working at the Royal Bank now, which is a very different job than I’ve ever been used to. But it’s good. Great hours and it keeps me at home with the kids.” 

Adam pictured with Lily and Kaleb

Fatherhood seems to be Adam’s calling. “I really enjoy spending time with the kids.It’s a great joy. Some people get to experience it in different ways but I’ve been very lucky to have my two. It’s relatively early in my life and now I get to finish growing up with them. It’s nice. I’m pretty happy where I am.”

Will we see little Chapmans on the ice in the future? “My son loves hockey now. My daughter, she’s a bit of a firecracker. She likes to run around and swing a hockey stick so we’ll see. Maybe she’ll like it. Maybe she’ll try something different. I’m not going to discourage one way or the other. If they want to play, they’ll play. If they don’t want to play, Daddy will have to live with that somehow and encourage them in whatever they do.”





Five things you wanted to know but were afraid to ask...
Q: When you eat pasta, twirl or cut?
A: Twirl.

Q: If you could sing, what band would you want to join?
A: Great Big Sea.

Q: What was your favourite show as a child?
A: Transformers.

Q: What's your favourite fruit?
A: Watermelon.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
A: Any WWI or WWII veteran.