btsh.org

By Hornswoggle V to the R

2011 Team Photo

Sven Patrick Larsen, founder of Poutine Machine (and Sur Glace), defender

The first time I really got to know Sven was my first season (2007-08) at Lasker Rink in Central Park. This was still the Corlears era, and during the rest of the year, Sven skippered Tim “Scrappy” Gray and the Mighty Squirrels. Ushering in the new venue at Tompkins, the Squirrels eventually disbanded and Sven (Pat, as I call him) was looking for fellow Canadians with whom to fraternize and relive the old days tacking “eh” particles to sentences, and of road hockey in the Ontarian hinterlands. In the midst of the change, he was still playing at Lasker, and we kept in touch since then. He, his fellow Canadians, and our former commissioner Timothy Brown eventually convinced me of my transfer to Poutine at the end of the 2012 season, and even joining their ice squad at Lasker, Poutine Machine Sur Glace, in the winter.

Pat was a tenacious captain, serious to the game and playing hard every shift, but always considerate to his teammates and encouraging everyone to have fun out there, akin to a father figure—I mean, he was the oldest player on Poutine. Reluctant to play offense, he still played his style; but on defense, he would actively exhibit little to no mercy on oncoming opponents (of course, usually without overstepping BTSH regulation), and commit to communicating with teammates on and off the court. Although the amount of Canadians in Poutine has been drastically reduced to just Jo-Ann Provencher and Kevin Macdonald, the spirit of Canada’s finest junk food within this league will forever live on, certainly because of this guy.

Marcus “The Boot” Bonnee, winger

From teammate and defender, Whitney Macdonald:

He was the heart and soul of PM(SG). Great at closing the gap and creating breakaways.

Until I joined Poutine in 2013, I knew Marcus only through Thursday scrimmages at Moffo Rink (sidebar: if you haven’t but are interested in participating, join the Yahoo group hockeyscrimmage). He was—and sure still is—an affable individual who demonstrates brightness and positivity in his play, regardless of his opponent. If I had to characterize him in one word, it would probably be hustler. Not in the gambling, rapping, or the “picking up girls” senses, but in the genuine athletic sense. He’ll show a lot of energy on court and commit to the play when it’s needed, indicative of the type of player one hopes would score goals—if not only the important ones—to help the team win.

2015 Team Photo

Tracy Ng, defender

Assistant captain Kevin Macdonald, one of our senior players, writes:

Tracy was a Marcus-type player that I believe represented everything we want in a teammate. She was the quiet heart of our defense and never gave less than 100%. She blocked shots with her face, throat and every other body part she could. 

Whitney adds this:

[She’s] the template in what you want in a #1 defense(wo)man. Always backing her partner.

This is quite true. Whether it was at BTSH, or with Sur Glace at Lasker, Tracy was always able to make a statement about how she played, which is why team generally respected her even as one of the team’s shortest personnel. Off the court, Tracy was very approachable and close to the heart of BTSH, sometimes playing along with other BTSH players in the increasingly popular Ocean City tournaments. When she decided to move to the West Coast, I think Poutine’s collective heart slumped a little, but given her personality, we can’t help but wish her all the best way over there!

Jo-Ann “Rocket” Provencher, current captain and winger

Another word from Kevin, is that:

Jo has been a Poutiner since day one and, now as our captain, has put together a talented team that knows how to win AND have fun. Plus she’s French-Canadian, so Poutine literally runs in her veins.

Hadn’t it been for Jo, Poutine wouldn’t have their Une, deux, trois, tabarnak! cheer.

If there’s one thing about her that all of Poutine—and a sizable part of the BTSH social media scene—knows, it’s that she gets a lot of flak for her Franglais. I won’t delve into that. Also, give her a break; it’s not her first language! Though a certain Poutiner (hint below) did quip about her with the following texts:

Umm, she’s Canadian, she likes cats / We don’t understand what she is saying most of the time

However, in just over a season, I’ve had the opportunity to see her in a leadership position, and it’s clear she wholly invests in the team. When she misses a shot or a pass, she puts the burden on herself, reflects on the bench, and concentrates on doing well the next shift. With the knowledge that Poutine’s captain pays attention to the game while refining her own game, it gives me security that the team is in good hands.

She’s worked hard pre-season along with our active recruiter and vice-captain Brian “Brian Sullivan Alert” Sullivan to bolster our roster, and even organizes pre-season dinners so that old members and new can get to know each other. She’ll sacrifice a lot for the team and, for that, I’m very grateful.

2011 Tim Brown

Honorable mentions:

Salman Haq is one the franchise’s originals. He’s a soft-spoken gentleman, but he lets his gameplay do the talking: he feints one way, making defenders go the other; he’s calm and collected as a defender, and will be sorely missed.

Although Timothy “Timmay” Brown (who prides on pronouncing the name of Portuguese center half Pepe like peepee) moved to “greener pastures” in Lbs., Inc. after 2013, not much love has been lost; he took Poutine to the semifinals in 2012, and from there, he spread his wings… erm, pads, to the netminder you see today.