Weight looks back on his youth hockey days during U.S. Hockey Hall induction

By Stefan Kubus –

Before NHL journeyman Doug Weight was racking up points and (barely) lifting the Stanley Cup, he grew up in a rough neighborhood at 7 Mile and Gratiot in Detroit where he didn’t exactly play outside much as a kid.

So, when the young Weight arrived home from school, he’d spend the remainder of his days with his father at the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, about three miles northeast of his home. The elder Weight coached his son for 16 years, dating back to 1973.

“It was something where he coached three or four teams and I was in a neighborhood, let’s say, that I didn’t go outside a lot,” Weight said of his dad and his childhood. “I’d get home from school, and I’d go be at the rink. He’d be running his practices and I’d go on with the Midgets, then go on with his Mite team, then go on with my team, so I’d be at the rink all day, skating with all the teams he coached. I know that rink like the back of my hand.”

As a child, Weight suffered from a condition that forced him to wear braces on his legs, and he said his father initially introduced him to skating as a way to build strength in his weakened legs.

“I was in these braces when I was 2 years old, I couldn’t walk, bow-legged and everything else. But he started putting me on the ice to strengthen them, as a suggestion from a doctor.”

It turned out that wasn’t a bad career move, as Weight went on to enjoy a fruitful, successful NHL career of 1,033 games. On Monday, he was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

For the first time ever, the induction ceremonies took place in Detroit at Motor City Casino, and it was only fitting that such an honor should be given out in the place where it all started.

“It’s ironic and real special,” Weight said. “Certainly with Ron [Mason] and Mr. [Peter] Karmanos from the area, it’s great for all my family and, let’s face it, that’s what it’s all about at this point. You retire, spend a couple years… certainly it’s great to thank USA Hockey and everyone that’s been a part of my life supporting me. My friends and family are my biggest fans, so to do it in Detroit, it’s certainly special.”

Flashback to Dec. 6, 1991 – it was Weight’s first NHL game at Joe Louis Arena, playing for the New York Rangers in his rookie season. He recorded an assist in the game – one of his 755 career helpers and 1,033 points – and the Warren-born center remembers it quite well.

“I remember vividly, my first face-off was against Stevie Y, he snapped it back and I think someone rang it off the post in my zone,” Weight said with a smile.

That was just one of many games Weight went on to play against Detroit, especially being a division rival during his time in St. Louis from 2001-2008. There was a brief, but important stop in Carolina in 2006.

Weight added it was always a little extra special suiting up for games in front of family and friends in his home state.

“It was surreal, it was great to grow up going to that venue and being able to play there in the National Hockey League was incredible, so it was always special to come here for sure.”

This year’s U.S. HHOF class was particularly special, as Weight was not only inducted alongside longtime friend and former teammate Bill Guerin, but also Peter Karmanos, whom Weight has strong ties with, dating back to the 2006 Stanley Cup they shared in Carolina.

“I didn’t know the first thing about him,” Weight said of his initial impression of Karmanos. “I knew that was his franchise in Compuware and everything else. And then you get traded, and I had a no-trade clause, St. Louis was out of the playoffs and it was something where there was a lot of teams talking about trying to get me.”

Heading into 2006, there were a number of teams interested in a veteran presence like Weight. And on Jan. 30, 2006, Weight waived his no-trade clause to move from St. Louis to a rather unfamiliar team still in the playoff hunt to many people’s surprise.

“It was a thing where I didn’t know anything about Carolina or they’re goaltending and this and that. They had a great team and I decided to do it. Thank God I did. They treated me unbelievable. What an organization they run, him and Jimmy Rutherford.”

In Game 5 of that 2006 Stanley Cup Final against his former team in Edmonton, Oilers Chris Pronger and Raffi Torres sandwiched Weight along the boards in the first shift of the third period. That collision separated Weight’s shoulder and forcing him to miss not only the remainder of that game, but also Games 6 and 7.

Despite the shoulder separation, Weight was out on the ice after the Hurricanes’ first Stanley Cup win in franchise history. As he was handed Lord Stanley’s Cup, he still managed to lift the 35-pound trophy over his head.

Prior to joining the NHL ranks, Weight honed his game at Lake Superior State University for two seasons in the CCHA, from 1989-1991. There, he amassed an impressive 50 goals and 144 points in 88 games.

“It was a big part of my development, that’s for sure,” Weight said. “I think it was just a great experience. Playing a sport was a challenge, but it matured me. You make plenty of immature decisions in college, but I think playing a sport and going through that matures you and taught me how to prepare myself.”

Now, as an assistant coach to Jack Capuano on the New York Islanders bench, Weight never got the chance to play in a Winter Classic, but will get to coach in a Stadium Series game against the New York Rangers later in the season.

“Growing up in Detroit, there’s a lot of outdoor rinks and just watching these, it’s really cool. It’s cool to see them, I hope we have some great weather for it. Watching that one game with the Penguins with the snow flurries coming down… it’s a neat thing the NHL is doing and we’re certainly glad to be a part of it. It’s a great rivalry and in Yankee Stadium, it’s a great script, so it’ll be fun.”

And the 42-year-old said he doesn’t see himself leaving the game anytime soon, fully enjoying his mentoring role in the league he entered back in 1990.

“I have to prevent myself from becoming a workaholic because I love it so much. It’s time-consuming, but I enjoy it.”