rrI,j ffi.14 7 Toe-to-toeulith 0retzkyb former teammateon life afterhockey, hisentrepreneuiial spirit & why Bayviewis topsfor raisinga family BYANDREW CHIN

SlTtlllc lt{ 's Bayview and he said he would sell it to me, , on his own terms. He plays in home, it's clear that the NHL It worked out perfectly." and to form the core of charity games and lends his legend is living the Canadian It turned out to be a fortuitous one of the most formidable coaching expertise to his son's dream. move. That same neighbour hockey teams of all time. Junior Marlies team. He also with their demanding would later introduce Coffey to During his seven-year tenure catches NHL games, when he can, schedules, many professional his post-hockey career: the car with the Oilers, he won three and although he diplomatically athletes miss out on seeing their business. Stanley Cups, broke Bobby tL Orr's says he "cheers for the sport" and children grow up. Coffey, now Today, Coffey is the owner of mark for most goals by a has a soft spot for the Oilers, he retired from professional hockey, Paul Coffey's Bolton Toyota and a in a season (48 reveals that deep down he's a lives with his wife Stephanie, and Nissan dealership in Kitchener. during the 1985-'86 campaign) Leafs fan. their three children, Savannah, He is lust as engaged talking and set the record for most points With the team showcasing a 13; Blake, 10; and Christian, five, about his new career as he is his by a defenceman during the feisty attitude under new coach together in their Hogg's Hollow last. playoffs (37 points lL in l8 games). Ron Wilson, there are many home, and Coffey wouldn't have it "I had a few buddies in the car "I was 20 years old, when I positive things that Coffey points any other way. business, and they seemed to joined the team, and I didn't to with this new Leafs team. "When I retired, I didn't know enjoy it," he explains. realize at the time how special it But like most fans of today's what I just wanted to do. I knew While he admits that he isn't a was," the l4-time all-star says. Leafs lineup, he's caught in a what I didn't want to do," Coffey "big car guy," Coffey finds the "One thing we did know was that conundrum: whether tq sacrifice says. "I didn't want to travel. I business fascinating. Rather than we all enjoyed each other's short-term success in order to wanted to be around my kids, and being an absentee owner who company. We - all worked hard build a long-term championship I wanted to watch them grow up. lends only his name to the and wanted to be the best. We contenden I wanted to be there for them as business, he is actively involved in $'eren't willing to sacrifice "If they don't lose, they won't much as I could." his dealership. He drives a anything other than being the get these good young picks," he Coffey admits that there were Toyota and is genuine in his best. And ifwe weren't the best. it says. "If you're a real, real Leafs some talks with hie wife about praise of the company. wasn't going to be due to a lack of fan, you hope for the next five retiring "somewhere warmer," "I've never owned a Ferrari or a teamwork or effort." years they get a top-five pick but the couple ultimately decided Porsche, and I think that flashy, In 1987, Coffey was trdded to a every year so they can get some to settld in their native Toronto. It expensive cars are a waste of that featured real good young studs. But how was an easy decision, he says. money, to tell you the truth," he a budding superstar in Mario do you tell your players not to "We both agreed - why not says. "Not Toyotas, though: they Lemieux. Coffey provided a win?" come home and be with our always hold their value. There's steadying hand to the young Despite having a career that families and friends," aays Coffey. not a better vehicle." team. In 1991, the team won the most hockey players only dream nice to grow "It's have our kida up Coffey opened the Bolton , Coffey's fourth. He of, Coffey speaks about his career around friends that we know and dealership, his first, in 2004. then went on to play integral roles with pride but with a sense of their kids. Also our parents are While he proirdly declares that on Stanley Cup finalists Detroit in detachment. around." they "have a good team up there 1996 and Philadelphia in 199?. He "I try not to live in the past," he The decision to return to now," Coffey says that it took currently sits fifth all-time in says. "I guess the thing I'm most Toronto may have been easy, but some time and tweaking to get the career playoff points with lg6. proud of is that I had the chance finding the right neighbourhood business running smoothly. In 2001, Coffee bowed out of the to win championships. At the end proved to be much harder. Coffey was able to apply some game at age 40. of the day, that's what you're Although his wife grew up in of the principles ofhis past career "It was tough," he says of measured on." Forest Hill, Coffey found the area to his new one. retirement. "There's nothing in Signs from both the family and too busy. They spent some time in "The challenge is keeping your life that will give you the professional fronts indicate that Rosedale, but with a cottsge in team motivated and working as a emotional ups and downs that Coffey has transitioned gracefully Muskoka and parents in Malton, team," he says. "I try to run it the sports give you. But I was done, into life after hockey. And if you Coffey knew that he wanted to be same way I was involved on a and when you're done, you're look closely, there ate subtle signs closer to a highway. They 6 found hockey team. No matter what done. You have to get there that Coffey still maintains the q the solution in the you cozy Hogg's do, big or small, it's all mentally because, if you don't, competitive edge that made him a Hollow neighbourhood ii near important. You have to get your you'll never let it go." star. Evidence? Whdn the Leafs S Yonse and York Mills. people But, it to really care." Coffey was inducted into the beat the Oilers recently, Coffey i wasn't exactly love at first sight. If there is something that in 2004, had couldn't resist calling up his "lt was the end of the day and Coffey is jersey [ experienced in, it is his Oilers retired in 2005 contacts at the Oilers franchise - I we had been to ten houses. I was being part of a winning formula. and was inducted into the just to rub it in. b tired, but luckilv this one came Drafted sixth overall by the Penguins Hall of Fame in 200?. I up. It was an eirpty lot that the Oilers in 1980, Coffey Coffey continues to sray person across the street owned, teamed up with young guns involved in the game but does so j'.l-l o o c

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