Skyping With Olympic Goalie Mike Smith At Prince Charles

Feb 12, 2014

Olympian Mike Smith got a send off to Sochi like no other! Mike is one of the three goalies who made the cut to play for the Canadian Olympic hockey team and on February 6 his former school, Prince Charles Public School in Verona, gave him a wonderful pep rally. The gym was packed with not only students and staff but also community members. With the great wonders of technology Mike was there via a Skype link that was set up by his supportive parents, Ingrid and Ron Smith. They were invited to the school by PCPS teacher Lisa Cousins-Badour, who wanted to help the students celebrate with Mike and his family.

Students had prepared for the day by decorating the school's main foyer and gym with 250 paper NHL jerseys, each inscribed with Mike's NHL number 41. Mr. Burnham's grade 8 class made a special banner wishing Mike luck at the games. Each student was given their very own Canadian flag to wave as Ingrid Smith set up the Skype connection with her son, who was in Phoenix at the time, which was then projected onto a large screen. Once the connection was made, the students began by chanting a number of cheers that they had prepared, one of them ending with the line “Go For Gold!”

The children were also able to ask him many questions including "Hey Mike, what are you packing in your suitcase?" and "Mike how do you keep fit?". The good-natured Veronaian had no problem replying... "Well of course my hockey equipment and I always start the day by having over 300 hockey pucks shot at me!"  He also said he would be using a brand new helmet that he had designed specially for the Olympic games.

Grade 7 student Olivia Minifie asked Mike how he planned to cope with the stress and pressure that competing in the Olympics can bring. Mike answered that he counts on his family for their support, which helps to relieve the stress and to keep him focused. Grade 2 student Clare Swinton asked Mike if his family would be joining him. He explained that the following Sunday he would be joined in Atlanta, Georgia by his parents (they have since made the trip to Sochi with him). Mike's wife Brigitte (a former Olympian herself) and their two young sons, both toddlers, would remain behind in Verona.

Mike spoke to the students of his days as a young student at PCPS and his dreams of going to Olympics as a hockey player, and of how he is now living that dream. He spoke of the importance of following your dream and encouraged the PCPS students to follow their own dreams and do their best to make them a reality.

Mike related to the students that even if he did not get a chance to get onto the ice at the games, he would be practicing with the team and that the experience of being chosen to be a part of the team will be something he will always cherish and be proud of.

After Mike thanked the students for all of their support, the school's principal, Peter Dendy, promised that should Mike play in any of the games, he would do his best to broadcast the games in the school gym and would invite all the students and members of the community to the school to watch. Mike's mother Ingrid spoke as well and became emotional, thanking the community for their ongoing support for Mike over the years.

Teacher Lisa Cousins-Badour, who organized the event, said one of her aims was to make the 2014 Olympics a more tangible and real experience for the students at the school.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one to take advantage of and I wanted the students to be able to have a chance to make the experience an even more special and personal one."

She added that she wanted the students to also understand that Mike's dream has come with its own ups and downs, but that all along the way he has received support from his family and the community.

The Olympic men's hockey competition is slated to begin today, February 13.