O’Leary will host a Canadian figure skating legend later this month.
Elvis Stojko will hold a seminar for the local figure skating club on Feb. 17 before performing in their annual ice show the next day.
A three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, Stojko does many shows in small towns across Canada.
“I enjoy skating for the towns. They’re really appreciative. It’s something I enjoy and it’s fun times with the kids.”
Stojko appreciates it can be hard for fans in isolated places like P.E.I. to see top talent on display.
Young figure skaters often ask him how to do jumps – Stojko was the first man to land a quadruple jump in combination in 1991 – but he said it’s about more than sport.
“I teach them about going after what they believe in, to go after what they want in life.
“All the things you learn from skating can apply to other things in life. It’s giving you tools that will extend beyond just skating itself. For me, it’s mentorship.”
Learning from a former world-class figure skater is a rare opportunity, and Stojko said he feeds off that energy.
“They treat you like gold. Small towns are always awesome. They get all excited and it’s fun to skate for them. They’re just so pumped to have you there.”
He enjoys the opportunity to see parts of Canada he wouldn’t otherwise get to.
“I’m going to P.E.I., which I love. It’s beautiful there. As long as we don’t have a snowstorm, I can get there on time.
“I’m very fortunate I’m still doing it and can still do it and am still being asked to do it.”
O’Leary figure skating coach Julie MacNeill said the idea to bring in Stojko came from a parent.
“In all fairness, a lot of the kids didn’t know who he was … once he gets here and they get to see him perform live, I think they’ll be pleased. Nothing like that ever happens. The odd time they come to P.E.I., but they never come to West Prince.”
She expects the ice show to sell out with Stojko on the bill.
“That just opens it up to another whole audience. It means our ice show will probably be widely attended in comparison to when it’s just our local skaters.”
Stojko’s seminar was capped at 60 skaters, so those who miss out on that can see him the next day, MacNeill said.
“I just think it’s a neat opportunity for the skating community.”
When he’s not skating, Stojko is busy with a budding acting career.
“The biggest thing I’m working on is going to acting school and doing a lot of film work. Acting is a real direction I want to take. I focus on it quite a bit.”
He and his wife recently bought a 100-acre property outside Toronto. They and their three dogs appreciate the change of pace.
“We enjoy nature.”
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Monday, February 12, 2018
Rainnie relishes curling at eighth Olympics
When Daniel Igali won gold on the last day of the 2000 Olympics, Bruce Rainnie’s career took off.
It was Rainnie’s first Olympiad as a broadcaster, covering wrestling and weightlifting – in his own words, entry-level positions.
The assignment paid off for Rainnie when Igali won his third match of the day to stand atop the podium.
“I was the guy who got to tell his story to Canada. That was a huge opportunity for me. It went well – well, it didn’t go great, but I was asked back.”
Eighteen years later, Rainnie will be telling the stories of Canadian curlers at the Pyeongchang Olympics.
The former Compass anchor has plenty of experience with the roaring game, but it’s always a challenge, he said.
“It’s the only sport where every competitor in the game has a mic on. Seated beside you are two curlers who have won Olympic medals. So in terms of knowing what’s going on in the game, you are a distant 11th in the pecking order.”
Part of the job is picking the right moments to talk, Rainnie said.
“You have to really adjust and be patient and let the conversation on the ice flow and be a traffic cop of sorts. Make sure the stars of the game are allowed to be the stars.”
Rainnie’s most vivid Olympic memories involve calling Canadian gold medals – including the double victory by curlers Jennifer Jones and Brad Jacobs in Sochi.
He may get a chance to recreate that magic in Pyeongchang.
“Canadian teams are the teams to watch.”
Rainnie’s duties will begin Thursday – a day before the opening ceremony – when the new mixed doubles event begins. John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes will represent Canada.
“They’re dynamic shot makers and really good sweepers.”
(edit: Morris and Lawes will go for gold against Switzerland Tuesday at 7 a.m. Atlantic time)
Rainnie expects Canada’s Kevin Koe to face Sweden’s Niklas Edin in the men’s gold-medal game.
“Those are the two best teams there. Them along with Brad Gushue are the top three teams in the world.”
Predicting the women’s tournament is a little more difficult, Rainnie said.
“It could be wide open, although I think Rachel Homan, if they’re on, they’re really, really good.”
Great Britain’s Eve Muirhead and Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg should also contend, he said.
Kevin “Boomer” Gallant, Rainnie’s former partner on Compass, said the veteran broadcaster sets himself up for success.
“I’ve never seen a man so prepared to go on air in my life. He prepares himself mentally. His preparation, his delivery, he’s got a lot of assets to be on television.”
Rainnie has an excellent memory, Rainnie added.
“CBC are lucky to have him right now because he is the complete package when he goes on air.”
It was Rainnie’s first Olympiad as a broadcaster, covering wrestling and weightlifting – in his own words, entry-level positions.
The assignment paid off for Rainnie when Igali won his third match of the day to stand atop the podium.
“I was the guy who got to tell his story to Canada. That was a huge opportunity for me. It went well – well, it didn’t go great, but I was asked back.”
Eighteen years later, Rainnie will be telling the stories of Canadian curlers at the Pyeongchang Olympics.
The former Compass anchor has plenty of experience with the roaring game, but it’s always a challenge, he said.
“It’s the only sport where every competitor in the game has a mic on. Seated beside you are two curlers who have won Olympic medals. So in terms of knowing what’s going on in the game, you are a distant 11th in the pecking order.”
Part of the job is picking the right moments to talk, Rainnie said.
“You have to really adjust and be patient and let the conversation on the ice flow and be a traffic cop of sorts. Make sure the stars of the game are allowed to be the stars.”
Rainnie’s most vivid Olympic memories involve calling Canadian gold medals – including the double victory by curlers Jennifer Jones and Brad Jacobs in Sochi.
He may get a chance to recreate that magic in Pyeongchang.
“Canadian teams are the teams to watch.”
Rainnie’s duties will begin Thursday – a day before the opening ceremony – when the new mixed doubles event begins. John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes will represent Canada.
“They’re dynamic shot makers and really good sweepers.”
(edit: Morris and Lawes will go for gold against Switzerland Tuesday at 7 a.m. Atlantic time)
Rainnie expects Canada’s Kevin Koe to face Sweden’s Niklas Edin in the men’s gold-medal game.
“Those are the two best teams there. Them along with Brad Gushue are the top three teams in the world.”
Predicting the women’s tournament is a little more difficult, Rainnie said.
“It could be wide open, although I think Rachel Homan, if they’re on, they’re really, really good.”
Great Britain’s Eve Muirhead and Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg should also contend, he said.
Kevin “Boomer” Gallant, Rainnie’s former partner on Compass, said the veteran broadcaster sets himself up for success.
“I’ve never seen a man so prepared to go on air in my life. He prepares himself mentally. His preparation, his delivery, he’s got a lot of assets to be on television.”
Rainnie has an excellent memory, Rainnie added.
“CBC are lucky to have him right now because he is the complete package when he goes on air.”
Friday, February 2, 2018
CBC anchor, weatherman form lasting friendship
The first time Bruce Rainnie met Kevin “Boomer” Gallant, they were kicked out of the room at a CBC function for laughing too much.
A year later, Rainnie joined Gallant on CBC News: Compass and a lifelong friendship was born.
Gallant, who was the show’s weatherman for 31 years, remembers the day in the fall of 2003 when management told him Rainnie would be taking over the anchor’s desk.
“I said, ‘What?’ Christmas came early for Boomer. I knew we'd hit it off. It's just been magic since then on air.”
The chemistry and humour that came to define the pair’s tenure on Compass began right away, Gallant said.
Rainnie’s first night on air was marred by technical difficulties. Gallant started right in with digs at the new anchor.
“It's a wonder he didn’t leave us with all the technical glitches. People see you having fun with the faux pas, and they have fun at home.”
In the two years before Rainnie got married, he had supper with the Gallants 155 times. The kids kept track.
Rainnie values the friendship greatly.
“It’s irreplaceable. That’s a once in a lifetime partnership, for sure. I would never get that again from anyone at any network.”
Even Peter Mansbridge, former anchor of CBC’s The National, took notice of the bond, Gallant said.
“He said there's no other host and weatherman in North America who get along like this on television. It’s a nice testimonial to the friendship we have.”
And it was all spontaneous, Rainnie said.
“We never rehearsed anything. When it went off the rails and we were there to put it back on, that was really entertaining stuff. It’s all from knowing the other guy will play along and come back with something.”
The comfort level between the two men was crucial, Rainnie added.
“When you find someone you can be totally open with, self-deprecating with, and you know they’re not going to be offended, that’s really watchable. People love to watch that. It’s comfortable. It’s hugely, hugely important and I think it was a big reason why the Bruce-Boomer thing worked.”
They became so close that when Gallant’s wife Mae passed away in 2006, Rainnie and his wife Kendra sang and performed at her funeral. That meant a lot to Gallant.
“He was a true friend, still is and always will be.”
The laughter extended well beyond the airwaves of Compass, Rainnie said.
“We’ve never disagreed about anything. We’ve never had an argument. There wasn’t a single day where he wouldn’t have me dissolved into tears with laughter somewhere in a room at CBC.”
Both left Compass last April. Rainnie took over as president and CEO of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame and Gallant took the plunge into retirement.
They talk on a daily basis, but they both miss the camaraderie. Gallant compared their bond to Abbott and Costello.
“I miss Bruce, our daily banter before we got on air in the newsroom. We disrupted people doing stories for Compass. I’ve always wanted to have fun with whatever I did in life. The last 13 years with Bruce was fun times 10.”
The time spent together when Rainnie visits the Island are memorable, said the former anchor.
“(Gallant) became, outside of my wife, my best buddy. I hope he feels the same. It’s a pretty special thing when we get a chance to get together. The stories start flowing and get exaggerated more and more.”
A year later, Rainnie joined Gallant on CBC News: Compass and a lifelong friendship was born.
Gallant, who was the show’s weatherman for 31 years, remembers the day in the fall of 2003 when management told him Rainnie would be taking over the anchor’s desk.
“I said, ‘What?’ Christmas came early for Boomer. I knew we'd hit it off. It's just been magic since then on air.”
The chemistry and humour that came to define the pair’s tenure on Compass began right away, Gallant said.
Rainnie’s first night on air was marred by technical difficulties. Gallant started right in with digs at the new anchor.
“It's a wonder he didn’t leave us with all the technical glitches. People see you having fun with the faux pas, and they have fun at home.”
In the two years before Rainnie got married, he had supper with the Gallants 155 times. The kids kept track.
Rainnie values the friendship greatly.
“It’s irreplaceable. That’s a once in a lifetime partnership, for sure. I would never get that again from anyone at any network.”
Even Peter Mansbridge, former anchor of CBC’s The National, took notice of the bond, Gallant said.
“He said there's no other host and weatherman in North America who get along like this on television. It’s a nice testimonial to the friendship we have.”
And it was all spontaneous, Rainnie said.
“We never rehearsed anything. When it went off the rails and we were there to put it back on, that was really entertaining stuff. It’s all from knowing the other guy will play along and come back with something.”
The comfort level between the two men was crucial, Rainnie added.
“When you find someone you can be totally open with, self-deprecating with, and you know they’re not going to be offended, that’s really watchable. People love to watch that. It’s comfortable. It’s hugely, hugely important and I think it was a big reason why the Bruce-Boomer thing worked.”
They became so close that when Gallant’s wife Mae passed away in 2006, Rainnie and his wife Kendra sang and performed at her funeral. That meant a lot to Gallant.
“He was a true friend, still is and always will be.”
The laughter extended well beyond the airwaves of Compass, Rainnie said.
“We’ve never disagreed about anything. We’ve never had an argument. There wasn’t a single day where he wouldn’t have me dissolved into tears with laughter somewhere in a room at CBC.”
Both left Compass last April. Rainnie took over as president and CEO of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame and Gallant took the plunge into retirement.
They talk on a daily basis, but they both miss the camaraderie. Gallant compared their bond to Abbott and Costello.
“I miss Bruce, our daily banter before we got on air in the newsroom. We disrupted people doing stories for Compass. I’ve always wanted to have fun with whatever I did in life. The last 13 years with Bruce was fun times 10.”
The time spent together when Rainnie visits the Island are memorable, said the former anchor.
“(Gallant) became, outside of my wife, my best buddy. I hope he feels the same. It’s a pretty special thing when we get a chance to get together. The stories start flowing and get exaggerated more and more.”
Bruce and Boomer enjoying next chapter in life
Kevin “Boomer” Gallant used to own 74 Hawaiian shirts. Now he has 12.
Call it a casualty of retirement.
P.E.I.’s most recognizable voice has been off the air for nine months, and he’s enjoying the change of pace.
Following a 31-year career providing the weather on CBC News: Compass, Gallant has taken up biking and goes to the gym four or five times a week.
“I started to eat healthier, less beer in the evenings, lost a few pounds and I feel like a million bucks.”
Gallant logged over 3,000 kilometres on the Confederation Trail last year.
“I have a pretty good attitude about life and I think that helps me get through every day. People ask me what I'm doing and I just tell them, whatever I want to do that day.”
Gallant and Compass anchor Bruce Rainnie both left the show last April. Rainnie had occupied the anchor’s chair for more than 13 years before being hired as president and CEO of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.
The timing of Rainnie’s departure led Gallant to follow suit.
“I was sort of preparing for retirement for about a year. When Bruce got the job offer in Halifax, I said, ‘I'm going to go too, let's go together.’ It's been great.”
Meanwhile, for Rainnie, running the Hall of Fame was an appealing option.
“This job would never have come around again in my working lifetime, so I had to explore it. Every day I get to immerse myself in sports stories and sports heroes. That’s a good gig. It’s a good way to spend the next 15 years, if I can pull it off.”
When Rainnie was hired by CBC in 2003, the pair developed a bond on and off the air that made P.E.I.’s supper-hour news must-watch television.
Maureen Martin of Tryon was an instant fan.
“I thought they were wonderful. I miss the both of them.”
The rapid-fire humour made Compass a staple of the supper hour, Martin said.
“It was just a pleasant show to watch. They were always joking with each other. They both seemed quite knowledgeable about what they were doing – just look where Bruce has got himself today. He’s quite smart. It was a very enjoyable hour at suppertime.”
Covering provincial elections was one of the best parts of the job, Rainnie said. He anchored CBC’s coverage of the 2007, 2011 and 2015 results.
“There are very few things that can match the electricity of a live election night on P.E.I. I’ve always been a political junkie. I always describe those as drama without a script.”
Rainnie was in his element flying by the seat of his pants.
“You had to be ready to make those numbers make sense. I loved those nights.
“I thought they were really challenging and energizing and a real test of what I think a broadcaster should be, and that’s someone who can make sense of things on the fly as they’re coming in.”
Anchoring Compass had special meaning for Rainnie.
“There was a daily feeling that what you were doing meant something. It’s a good feeling to know the work you did that day was going to be watched and valued.”
Still, there was an upside to leaving.
“I do not miss putting on makeup. I do not miss having to find a shirt and tie every day I didn’t wear the night before,” he laughed.
As for Gallant, the future is wide open and he plans to spend time with his son, daughter and granddaughter.
“I’m just looking forward to every day ahead with those people. We’re into February, so I’ll soon have the bike out, the shorts and Hawaiian shirts, and away we go again.”
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