So, a lot of people think you’re also Boomer [the Grizzlies’ mascot] between periods.
No, that is not correct at all. That’s hilarious, but not correct. You wear so many hats as a coach at our level in junior hockey, but I haven’t put on the costume.
What other things does the coach for the Grizzlies have to do?
The hockey side is the easiest part, when you get to practice, when you get to coach the games. But after games, we’re washing stuff, putting stuff in the laundry. We have an equipment manager that helps out, which is huge. Say the game is on a Friday. We would come in on Saturday, usually in the morning, to get the equipment all washed and dried out, and get the locker room set for the next night.
Your players all have to be between 16 and 21. And you’ve said because of your age [Veen is 27], you understand the kids’ lingo.
Yes.
I’m going to give you some terms. You tell me what those mean.
Uh oh.
“Fit check.”
It’s looking good. Checking your outfit.
OK. “Bougie.”
Bougie. Oh, it’s like a really cool or glamorous sort of look.
“Ate.” A-T-E.
Ate? I have no idea.
It means to succeed, like “He ate that up.” Next: “Cap.”
Cap? That means that’s not true.
Correct. “Cheugy.”
No idea.
It’s something that’s out of date or a person who’s trying too hard. So that probably fit me right here. “That old guy was so cheugy!”
Wow.
I’m assuming that, at 27, you’re one of the youngest coaches in the league?
Yeah, 100%. Last year I was probably the youngest or at least close. The reality is a lot of people at my age are still playing. I never played at a high level, but hockey has just always been a passion of mine. I started as a scout and then got into coaching, and it’s given me a head start on learning the coaching side of things at a young age.
What is the best full service gas station in the Fargo area?
Ted’s Northport Station. My grandpa owned it. He still works there. He’s 83 years old. My dad owns it now, and it actually is a full service station. I worked there as a kid. We would pump the gas. That’s where I learned the work ethic side of things from my grandpa and my dad and my whole family. For a while there, it was my grandpa, my dad, my uncle, and my cousin, and myself working there.
The kids on the Grizzlies live with host families in town?
Yes. Those families are great. And we’re looking to get more families right now, too. Once families take a hockey kid into their home, all of a sudden, they have a son and their kids have a brother, right? They build those kinds of relationships. So it’s huge for the community and for the young hockey players.
The kids don’t get paid, right?
Right. This is a Tier 3 league, so they have to pay to play. They pay us to play for us, but they get equipment, apparel, and a bunch of things taken care of.
What’s your most embarrassing hobby?
I really, really like fantasy sports. Fantasy football, fantasy hockey. I’m kind of a nerd with that stuff.
That sounds just like your actual job. Drafting players, putting together a team.
I do think that’s where it all stemmed from leading up to this job. Growing up, I used to play the Madden and NHL video games, and I’d always do “Be A GM” mode, where you built your own teams. I always tell my buddies, I get to play a video game in real life, essentially.
Blatant plug: When is your [next home game]?
September 28 at the Rec Center.
In your pregame speech to the team you should roll in the locker room and say “Bougie fit checks, dudes! Let’s ate tonight! I am NOT cheugy!”
Yeah, they would love that.
Steve Lange is the editor of Rochester Magazine. His column appears every Tuesday.