| 01 March 2011
Photo courtesy of Scott Slingsby
There’s something to be said about a mother’s intuition. In December we talked to Colten Teubert’s Mom, Shauna Poppy, and though she said she’d love to visit Manchester again, she never knew where Colten would be playing. Sure enough, Teubert's career as a Manchester Monarch was halted yesterday when he was traded to the Oilers Organization--along with a first-round draft pick in 2011 and a conditional draft pick in 2012--for forward Dustin Penner. At only 20-years-old, Teubert is making some trades of his own: he's packing up his snowy New Hampshire condo and California dreams for a plane trip to Oklahoma City and a contract with a homeland team.
Colten had become an integral part of the Monarchs defense and a physical contributer. He was a first round pick for the Kings in 2008 and was selected 13th overall. Though he tallied 2 goals and 8 assists this season and has a shockingly hard slapshot, he is primarily a stay-at-home defenseman. He's solid in front of the net and hardly ever turns pucks over. At 6'4" and 195 pounds, he's a big body with some speed a lot of grit. Teubert isn't afraid to skate hard into the corners, commit to checks or mix it up on occasion. Like any player, there are things you'd like to see him do more of, but what he will bring to the Oiler's organization is an aggressive defensive mindset. He'll report to Oklahoma to play with the Barons in the AHL, and with the trade deadline being just a week shy of his 21st birthday, Teubert is just beginning his professional career. His future is bright, his potential enormous. While the Oilers gave up offensive consistency in Dustin Penner, they invested in guys like Colten who will help the organization develop in the next few years to come.
Though Colten is a jokester with his teammates and his family, he's serious and focused on the ice and in the locker room. There's no doubt he got the brightness of his personality and his blond hair from his mother Shauna, who is sweet, friendly and like most hockey moms, doting. Though she was once the mother of a King, she won't have to use her passport when she goes to watch Colten as an Oilers uniform in the next few years. Good luck in Oklahoma City and Edmonton, Colten. Thank you for all your hard-work in Manchester and your contributions in a Monarchs Country. We talked to both Shauna and Colten about growing up in British Columbia, making sacrifices for the game and Colten's missing teeth.
Something’s Bruin: What was it like growing up playing hockey in British Columbia?
Colten Teubert: My parents got divorced when I was younger, so I think it was tough on both my mom and my dad. They both stuck in it. Whether it was the rides early in the morning from my mom or my dad being there to watch the games, there was lots of support from my family.
SB: So it was definitely a team effort getting you here today.
CT: Yeah, and I’m so happy my mom got the opportunity to come out here. It’s her first time out east and she’s cooked me a couple meals. I haven’t seen her for a while so it’s really good to see her. I’m happy she’s here to see me play.
SB: I know your wrist was injured, but how’s it feeling now?
CT: It’s been good, it’s been tough throughout the summer. I had two surgeries and I’ve struggled to get back. With my mom being there for support, my dad pushing me, and help from my family and friends I think it’s really helped. I’m just really dedicated to getting back in.
SB: Do you have any siblings?
CT: I have three brothers, my mom has three boys. She worked hard when she was younger. I also have a half-brother, so it’s all boys in the Teubert family.
SB: Did any of them play hockey as well?
CT: My older brother did but he’s a fishing guideman now. My younger brother used to play, he used to be a little fighter with a Junior “B” team. My younger brother is only six, so he’s just starting to get into hockey. Hopefully he can carry on the name and take it pro.
SB: Do you think your mom gets nervous watching you play?
CT: I’m pretty sure she cried her eyes out when I lost my teeth for the first time, so her nerves aren’t there anymore. She’s used to it since I’ve been away for so long. I’m sure if I were to get into a fight or something would happen, she’d get nervous. She doesn’t really know what’s going she just likes to pretend like she does.
SB: Does she give you any hockey advice?
CT: Never, I don’t think she’s told me one bit of hockey advice. She gives me a lot of life advice, being a good person and she helps me out with some cooking stuff.
SB: Do you think your mom would be good at hockey?
CT: She’s too tiny. She doesn’t like to sweat, either. She’s one of those girls. She’s a mom and she’s into her hobbies that she has but I don’t think she’s a hockey player. I don’t know where I got that from, probably my dad.
SB: Any last things you want to say to her?
CT: I’m just happy she’s been my mom for this long and stuck by me, and really supported me. I’m just really happy to see her.
*****
Something’s Bruin: I wanted to talk to you a bit about being a hockey mom. How was it raising Colten as a hockey player?
Shauna Poppy: Well, Colten is very driven and it was very easy because he thought one way, and that was the hockey way. He could have been sick with the flu but he’d go to the rink. It was never a chore to get him to the hockey rink because he loved it so much.
SB: He grew up with a couple brothers, right?
SP: He’s the middle of the three of them, and all of the boys were really good hockey players. Colten, though, at a very early age was a little bit bigger than his age so everyone thought he was a lot older. He was very strong as well because of that. He’s always been very big and tall.
SB: When he was younger did you ever see him becoming a professional hockey player?
SP: Probably not, only because I never really thought that way. All I knew was that he was tough as nails. If he reached for something he wasn’t supposed to, I’d give him a tap on the hand and he’d look at me and say, “Is that all you got?” I knew he had this toughness about him so I’m not surprised he’s a hockey player and a defenseman.
SB: Is it highly competitive in Canada for young boys?
SP: Absolutely. Colten’s age group was a strong age group and very competitive. There were lots of rec teams that always wanted him.
SB: For you as a mother, is it nerve-wracking watching the games?
SP: Nerve-wracking! Yes! I hate it when they fight. I’m always excited to watch him play and play well but I’m always thinking about him just as my son.
SB: How do you think he has liked playing in Manchester so far?
SP: I think he’s settled in really nicely, actually. Just going back and forth on the phone or skyping, I think he’s settled down living here. And from what I can see, the fans are fabulous. I’ve never seen more jerseys and t-shirts and the fan base just seems incredible and supportive. He’s happy to be here.
SB: How is his wrist injury doing?
SP: I’m happy that he’s back and he’s very happy that he’s back and able to play. I hope that he stays strong and doesn’t re-injure the wrist. If he plays smart and looks after it, I hope it’s the green light all the way through. It was quite a serious injury to overcome. He had several operations, so it was scary.
SB: Any funny stories about Colten?
SP: He’s just very funny. We know when he’s at home because he’s very loud. We always laugh because the house will be very quiet, but he has this huge presence when he walks through the door. He’s very loud, very happy and very full of life. He’s a happy guy.
SB: Anything else you’d like to say to him?
SP: I think he knows how much I love him. And how much I love that he’s happy doing what he enjoys doing and that’s playing hockey. There’s all these wonderful things in life that I love sharing with him as well, just every day hanging out and just being with him as a mother and son.
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