CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings defenseman reflects on Olympic glory, possible future employment

December 8, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Question: what could be better than playing in the NHL? Answer: playing in the Olympics, of course. At least, that's RiverKings defenseman Ted Crowley's assessment.

"I always tell people that of all the things I've ever done professionally, that's the best by far," Crowley, 34, said. "Playing in the NHL was wonderful. It was great. But participating in the Olympics was the best thing I've ever done."

A Concord, Mass. native, Crowley started his official career at Boston College. He left his sophomore year to try out for the 1992 Olympic team.

"I was 10 years old when the U.S. Olympic team won the gold medal in 1980," he said. "I didn't understand the political significance, with the Cold War and the country having boycotted the Moscow games that summer. I just remember thinking, ‘That's what I want to do.' That was my dream."

Crowley was elated when he made the team; however, his euphoria was short-lived. He was injured and then cut from the roster.

"I was devastated," he said. "I thought my ship had sailed. It was a very, very low point for me."

When he healed up, his skills were still in high demand. He began playing for the St. John's Maple Leafs, where he stayed for a year and a half. And then the Olympic committee did two things: they split the games so that the winter and summer games happened within two years of one another instead of at the same time, and they allowed teams to take a limited number of minor league professionals.

Crowley got a call from Yale University Head Coach Tim Taylor, who had been chosen to coach the1994 Lillehammer squad, inviting him to come to the tryout. Crowley pushed him for a guarantee that he would make the team.

"When I didn't get to go that first time, it was brutal," Crowley said. "I didn't know if I could stand it if I went and tried out and didn't get to go again."

Taylor pulled up just short of an absolute yes, which gave Crowley just enough hope. He also gave Crowley a new mentor and role model.

"Tim is one of the most honest guys in the sport," he said. "He's amazing, a guy of real principle. I respect him more than anyone. He doesn't coach for money or prestige. He's a hockey junkie. He just loves the sport."

Crowley and the team proceeded to the medal round. He was living his dream.

"I was excited about going the first time in '92," he said. "Losing that opportunity was absolutely devastating. But I was able to appreciate the opportunity to play at Lillehammer so much more."

Upon his return, Crowley moved up to the NHL, playing for the Hartford Whalers and later, for the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Islanders. He has since played in the IHL and the DEL (Germany's top hockey league), most recently with the Kassel Huskies.

"I will say this about the Olympics: it was a real buzz kill," he said. "When you achieve the best thing you ever wanted at 23 years old, there's not a lot after that."

Ted's life experience includes learning to speak German while living in Kassel; playing a sailor and singing in Cole Porter's musical "Anything Goes" in high school; and performing the color commentary for the RiverKings radio broadcast on WHBQ Sports 56 during his 25-game suspension (which ends after Dec. 30) this season.

"That's what I wanted to do when I was done with hockey," Crowley said. "I was a communications major in college. I really enjoy doing it. But it kind of stinks at the same time because I ought to be out there on the ice. That's what I'm paid to do. It will be different when I'm not part of a team. Right now it's frustrating to have to watch from the sidelines. It is something I'd like to do when I retire, however."

Catch Crowley's color commentary on the RiverKings radio home, WHBQ Sports 56 AM on Dec. 10 at 7:15 p.m.; Dec. 12 at 6:20 p.m.; and Dec. 18, 23 and 30 starting at 6:50 p.m. For more information visit the Web at www.riverkings.com or www.sports56whbq.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2004


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