The life of a hockey wife

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Prior to the recent games against the Nottingham Panthers, Pamela Mangos kindly agreed to give me something of an insight into the life of a hockey player's wife.

M: OK, Pam, thanks for giving me your time, it’s most appreciated. Can you tell me what it was that influenced Simon's decision to return for a second season with Phoenix?

P: Well, Simon had said that he wanted to play in Europe again, and given the language issues in other countries, it kind of had to be in England. Also, Scott (Basiuk) having re-signed was a bit of an influence.

M: Of course, Simon and Scott go back a ways, so they know each other well, that must have helped.

P: Yes, and with Phoenix having their own rink this season, things were going to be a bit more sort of 'organised' and more settled, so he wanted to give it a another go, and see how things work out.

M: Did you get to see much of your families while you were over here last season?

P: Not as often as we'd have liked. My parents visited last year, but Simon's parents have a restaurant back home, so it’s not easy for them to get the time to come visit. But they're hoping maybe to pay us a visit this season.

M: Obviously, the guys spend a lot of time together. Do the wives and girlfriends 'hang out' together?

P: For sure. We're almost like a family. It was a little difficult last season, as a couple of the wives didn’t speak English too well, but that's not an issue this time out.  Jeff McMillan's wife, Jill, is coming over soon, and I'm looking forward to that.

M: Oh, so you know her from back home?

P: We were at University together, and lived in the same building – the same floor, even – but we didn't actually know each other.  We have some mutual friends, so I am excited to meet her and talk about it.

M: I should imagine that it could be a lot of fun, catching up on news of mutual friends.

P: Oh, yes, I think it could be a lot of fun.

M: Do you keep in touch with any of the girls from last season?

P: Yes. I spoke with Heather (Wolfe) last week, and she's well. The baby's due soon, and she's really looking forward to being a Mom. (Since this chat, Heather and Jason have become the proud parents of Lyla Elizabeth.)

M: How does being a 'hockey wife' affect you, work-wise? I should imagine that it creates its own difficulties?

P: Yes, it can be a bit difficult, as players can sometimes get traded during the season, and if the trade team is miles away, that isn't always convenient. But you don't have that here, so that's OK.

M: I suppose it wouldn't be so bad here, though. I mean, distances being as they are between teams here, it's not like being traded from California to, say, Alaska.

P: Funny you should mention Alaska. We were in Pennsylvania a while back, and Simon got traded to Alaska! I didn’t go there, though. I had a job in a gallery a while ago (Pam studied at the University of Guelph – Art and Art History) and Simon was traded twice in one season. So jobs during the season are sometimes difficult.  I worked in a coffee shop in Sale last season, maybe I'll do something like that again, I haven't really decided yet.

M: I remember you said that you and Simon have an ice cream shop back home.

P: Yes, we do have an ice cream shop in Grand Valley, Ontario. That's about 30 miles North West of Brampton, which is home, and we work there during the summer.

M: So it’s a trip to Grand Valley for ice cream with Pamela and Simon during the summer for me, then!

P: That would be cool!

M: So, talk me through a typical day 'Chez Mangos'

P: Chez Mangos, I like that! Well, most days Simon's training or has a game, but we often go to the gym together.

M: Ooh, sounds like hard work!

P: Well, Simon works much harder than I do. I like to swim, rather than lift heavy weights.

M: So Simon pumps iron while Pamela has a sauna and a massage!

P: (Laughs) Oh that would be nice! Quite often, some of the guys will come over, and we eat, play cards, watch videos, ordinary stuff really. When we get the chance, we like to go on day trips to other towns – there are lots of lovely places to see.

M: Sounds like a nice way to relax. Thanks again for your time, Pamela, it's been lovely talking with you, and finding out a little about life as a hockey wife. Maybe near the end of the season, we could do this again?

P: Sure, my pleasure.

Pamela Mangos was interviewed by Michelle O'Grady

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