Booster club member Lori Sostock recently interviewed former Condors team captain Sean Venedam:
Condors fans:
Not a one of us would disagree that our Condors have played phenomenally of late, and that the last 16 games have been among the most exciting we have ever seen! We have seen our team come together, battle back, and triumph in this whirlwind of success. We have seen players make astounding shots, achieve tremendous goals, and surprise an entire league of naysayers. No longer do our competitors expect their wins, nor does Bakersfield anticipate a loss. The Bakersfield Condors have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with.
Amidst all the change and uncertainty, our team has triumphed. Before we go on our long awaited home-stretch, I luckily had the opportunity to talk with one of our most beloved players, Sean Venedam. Sean, in his charming and humble way, gracefully allowed me to interview him so that we could share some of his insight going into these final games.
Having had the short-termed, but ever-so-exciting experience as Coach, Sean has now had a completely well-rounded life in Rabobank Arena. He has always added great class to the game of hockey, as is ever so clear in his words of wisdom to follow.
L.S.: Sean- all your fans have been asking how you’re doing- but then when everyone saw you behind the bench, we saw how awesome you looked and we were all thrilled! 2 out of 3 first time out is fantastic! So- How did it feel to be coach for the week??????
Venny : It felt great, it was nice to get that feeling back, there is no better feeling than being a part of a team. It was much needed to get back to the game that I miss so much. The players welcomed Scott (Hay) and I with open arms and played some great hockey.
L.S. : Do you think it is easier to coach a team with guys you have played with….or does that have the potential to get more complicated?
Venny: It could get a little complicated, but they knew that we were there to help them and they were very professional. I believe that we (players, Scott and I) have a mutual respect and we didn’t want to let each other down.
L.S.: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference in this year’s club from last year’s?
Venny: I would have to say the player personnel. They are a younger but less experienced group that are eager and willing to learn….. I’ll just leave last year alone……
L.S.: There is no question the affiliation helps the individual players move up - which is what we want for them, as heartbreaking as it is. It has had its bumpy moments this season, but do you think the affiliation helps the whole of the team in the long run?
Venny: I’ve seen both sides of an affiliation, I’ve played on one affiliated team that never made the playoffs, where the contracted players thought it was spring break when they were sent down, and I’ve played on another where we were able to win the Kelly Cup, and without the affiliated players we wouldn’t have even come close…Ironically they were the same ECHL team but different affiliates, the bad year was Chicago, the good year was Atlanta, and after we had won the ECHL Kelly Cup the contracted players were brought up to the AHL and won the Calder Cup one month later…. Not bad for a resume and a jewelry box….So do I think it can help in the long run? It all depends on the individual who is being sent down and what his intentions are.
L.S.: In the wake of Fresno’s departure…..which team do you see has now moved up to Rival #1 Status…..and has any one player risen to the title?
Venny: Well, Bakersfield is the hottest team in the league at this moment and could make a run if they stay healthy and get a few extra guys from Iowa…Alaska, Victoria and Idaho are always favorites… somehow they always seem to land some big guns. Don’t read into that one, it just must be coincidence …I really don’t pay that much attention to the East because you have to get out of the West if you want to play to be the “Best”. As far as players are concerned there can’t be anyone better than Bonk, Derlago, Wirll and Painchaud before he left, in the league right now…
L.S.: We all know your shoes are hard to fill, so what advice do you have for Captain Langager and the AC’s???
Venny: Be yourself, lead by example and put the team before anything else, the best interest of the hockey club should be on your mind at all times…Have fun, because after all it is a game… Two of the best leaders in sport were Mark Messier and Brett Favre…It always looked like they were little kids having fun in their backyards…A positive attitude is contagious.
L.S.: What do you think has been the Condors’ best moment this season?
Venny: The hiring of Scott Hay and Sean Venedam.. (Laughs!!!!!) Seriously, I think that it has yet to come…
L.S.: Looking back at the tapes, was that goal in the shoot-out (the photo of the week!) taken away from us rightfully?
Venny: No it wasn’t… The referee told us that after Wirll had shot it, the goalie made the initial save, the puck then bounced off Wirll’s skate and into the net.. (that would be considered a rebound and rebounds are not allowed in shoot-out’s) The linesman furthest away from the play is the one that made the call…. In all fairness the officials are human and will make mistakes, unfortunately “that” mistake was at a pivotal point in the season… The referee came into the office after the game and apologized for the call, which I thought was very manly and professional of him to do.
L.S.: So……after a taste….is coaching in your future?????
Venny: I have always have wanted to coach…I would love to share my experiences, knowledge, understanding of the game with young players, I tried to do it when I was a player and that’s something that will never change… As long as someone is willing to learn and listen I would be more than happy to talk..
L.S.: Any words of wisdom to share with our fans and players for the final stretch???
Venny:
Players: Win
Fans: Enjoy and Cheer
It’s a simple game let’s not complicate things…
L.S.: What is your favorite thing about Bakersfield?
Venny: The weather, I’m moving back to Canada on April 6th and right now they have 4 feet of snow and the temperature has dropped to 25 below Celsius…
L.S.: Did you know that your chair (like Rosebush’s in the office) pulled in 4K at Tip-A-Condor?????? 4K DUDE!
Venny: Can you let whomever bought it know that I’m moving and I have all kinds of chairs that I will sell them…(Laughs, again!!!!)
L.S.: Do you miss us as much as we miss YOU?
Venny: I miss everything about the game, before the injury I had planned on playing 2 or 3 more years, all in Bakersfield of course, well, granted that they would have wanted my services…I am a big believer that all things happen for a reason and there was a reason 4 years ago that my wife wanted to come out west, at the time we didn’t know what that reason was but it’s very clear now, thanks for all the memories and good luck….
Thank you Sean; for your time, energy, wisdom, and class. Saying goodbye once was hard enough. Know you have forever fans here in Bako. Fans of Sean the player, fans of Sean the Captain, the professor, the leader, and the friend.
We will miss you sorely, but you will never be forgotten.
Good luck to you- good skill- good health……
But never goodbye. You will always be in our hearts.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Sostock
Bakersfield Condors Booster Club