Dave Manson speaks to students in Prince Albert on Tuesday. (Nolan Kowal/paNOW Staff)

By Nolan Kowal

Manson's message

‘Opportunity to give something back’: Ex-NHLer Manson encourages high school students in visit to P.A.

Mar 13, 2024 | 12:26 PM

Dave Manson made a living as a hard-nosed NHL defenceman, playing parts of 21 seasons in the pros.

On Tuesday, the Prince Albert native returned to his hometown to impart some wisdom to students at Carlton High School, touching on both sports and life.

Manson spoke to about 70 students on juggling family with an NHL career, adversity, and teamwork.

“It’s a small opportunity to give something back, to use my experience to maybe help teach somebody what we’ve been through, maybe it’s something that can help them go through something that they may incur later on,” said Manson.

The Carlton grad said he has fond memories of attending the school in the 1980s.

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“I had great times here…I was tied into hockey at that time,” he said. “I was really busy and really focused on trying to play for the Raiders and get a career going. I had so many good teachers. My older brother was here too, he kind of paved the way for me through high school.

Fifteen-year-old Marc Bourdon was the student who got to interview Manson in front of his classmates on Tuesday.

“Obviously very honoured to be a part of this, interviewing one of the best defeceman of all time, to be on stage asking him questions was very special,” said the Grade 9 student who plays hockey himself. “I think every kid nowadays [who plays hockey] wants to make it that far and I think Dave is a great role model for kids like us.”

(Nolan Kowal/paNOW Staff)

Manson’s voice is muffled due to a throat injury suffered during a fight in his playing days. Still, the former Chicago Blackhawks first-round draft pick thinks fighting will and should remain in the sport.

“I don’t think they’ll ever take it out because hockey is a high-speed contact sport, and I just think intensity is a huge part of the game,” Manson said. “I’m not saying intensity is not in other sports, but hockey is an intense sport and you’re going to have those spontaneous reactions I guess. I think they’ve done a great job of limiting it, but I don’t think they’ll ever eliminate it totally.”

Before his pro career, Manson spent three seasons with his hometown Raiders and went on to coach the team for multiple years as well. He said he still follows the organization closely.

“I know they’re in a dog fight to make the playoffs [this season]. I leave P.A. but I don’t ever not check on how the Raiders are doing,” he said. “It’s been a big part of my life and I was very privileged to have played for them and very proud to have played for them, and proud to have coached them.”

Manson added that he hopes to get back into the NHL in a coaching capacity soon after spending parts of two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers recently.

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com