One-on-one with speedy Oiler blue-line legend

Photo by Jon Yaneff Full name: Paul Douglas Coffey

Born: June 1, 1961 in Weston, ON

What do you love about hockey?

Obviously the camaraderie, the competition, the health factor keeps you in great shape and I enjoy winning.

What was the feeling like after winning each Stanley Cup?

Each one was a little bit different. The first one was pretty special as you can imagine because you don't know what to expect and then I was lucky enough to win four of them. Each one after the first just seemed to get better and better.

You have accomplished everything there is at the NHL level - How would you sum up your career in a few words?

Very humbling and satisfying. I was very satisfied with the way my career turned out and was very humbled by all the acknowledgment I got. The Hockey Hall of Fame was a pretty humbling experience. It was pretty awesome.

What means more to you, the Hall of Fame or the four Stanley Cups?

Well, put it this way, if you don't win Stanley Cups, you don't get into the Hall of Fame. They pretty much go hand in hand. There's the odd player that does get into the Hall without winning Cups, but for the most part it helps to be a champion.

Fact: About 80 per cent of all player Hall of Fame members have won Stanley Cups during their careers. Of the 240 players in the Hall of Fame, 51 don't have their names engraved on Lord Stanley. But, take into account of those 51, these also include successful international and amateur hockey players that didn't play in the NHL, such as Vladislav Tretiak or Gordon "Phat" Wilson. Tretiak became internationally famous as the goaltender of the USSR (now Russia) in the Summit Series in 1972, while Wilson was an amateur player for the Port Arthur Bearcats and won three Allan Cup championships.

You were fast on the ice. Are you fast in everything you do?

(Laughs) I try not to be. I've tried to settle down, as the business world is a little bit different. You get to think your way through situations and not over react.

How do you want to be remembered as a person?

The only thing that's important to me is that I got a good family life and I surround myself with good friends. At the end of the day what matters is that your kids love you and you provide a great stable upbringing for them.

If you could meet and talk to three people who would they be?

Elvis Presley and I'd just listen to him. I'm a listener. Bobby Orr and Bruce Springsteen would also be on my list, but I've already had the chance to meet them.

What have you done recently to give back to the community through charity work?

Lots, last week alone I did work for Sick Kids Hospital, as well as Cops and Kids, which involves inner city kids in Toronto by doing some programs for them so they can believe in themselves. I also did a charity bowling tournament for Special Olympics, and in Caledon at local hockey rinks I help out and try to provide some exercise with hockey in the winter.

During his playing days, some of his charitable causes included work as honourary chairman of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association of Alberta, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

What are your views as a NHL fan?

I have a soft spot for the Oilers, but I think we're all Toronto Maple Leafs fans living in the GTA. Hopefully they can turn things around, but it's not going to happen over night. We (as fans) just want some consistency and with Cliff Fletcher (General Manager) at the helm and the new Head Coach Ron Wilson, maybe that will happen.