Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Manson receives touching tributes at jersey retirement

Feb 12, 2016 | 8:24 PM

Knowing he couldn’t be there for his dad’s jersey retirement ceremony, Josh Manson figured he’d call his pops.

They talked about Josh’s time with the Anaheim Ducks and what was going on at home.

But when Josh moved the conversation to the Prince Albert Raiders retiring Dave’s No. 4 on Friday, Feb. 12, Dave tried to change the subject. He was more focused on what happens afterwards with the Raiders taking on the Regina Pats.

“I tried to bring it up but he’s obviously a very humble person,” Josh said. “It’s not something that I think he likes to talk about too much. He’s more focused about being a coach right now, trying to win the game and get in the playoffs.”

“That’s the kind of person he is… it’s not about him, it’s about other people.”

Josh’s interaction with his father Dave had to be restricted to a phone call, as well as a video tribute at the event itself.

Josh is currently with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. After Thursday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road in which Josh got an assist, the Ducks practiced on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s matchup against the first NHL team Dave played for—the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I wish I could be there for sure,” Josh said in a phone call with paNOW.com Friday afternoon. “It’s an exciting time for my dad and my family as well. I think it’s well deserved for him.”

Although Dave was an NHL’er and quite experienced by the time Josh became old enough, he never forced Josh into hockey.

“First and foremost, he was a dad. That’s what he means the most to me for,” Josh said. “He’s guided me through my life, he and my mom have taught me things I’ve taken with me throughout my career on the ice and off the ice.”

“On the ice, I mean, whenever I’ve needed him, he’s always been there. Especially when I made the transition to defence, he was a reliable source for any information that I needed to further my career. He’s there when you need him, that’s the key. Some [hockey] dads will kind of interfere and be on you a little bit but he’s never been like that. He’s only been there when I’ve needed him.”

Josh has seven points in 43 games this season with the Ducks in his first full season with the team. He played 28 games last year while splitting time with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

“Things have been going good so far,” Josh said. “I’ve had some opportunities this year and I’ve been able to jump on them a little bit and play my best. The team started off a little bit slow but I think we’ve been coming on now. We’re making a push and we’ve won some key games after the All-Star break.”

Manson’s night

Manson was also presented with a commemorative silver stick, engraved with all the teams he’s played for in his career, by the Raiders coaching staff. WHL commissioner Ron Robison presented Manson with the WHL Alumni Achievement Award.

Many current and former players sent in video tributes, including former Raider defencemen Sawyer Lange and Harrison Ruopp, and former teammates like Mike Modano and Jeremy Roenick.

A former rival of Dave’s, Kelly Buchberger, made a surprise appearance to congratulate Manson in person. Former coach Peter Anholt, the current general manager of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, made the trip over to make a brief speech. Manson accepted all the accolades with his family.

 

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea