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The Enforcer Chronicles
File #19 by Carol Williams Steven
McLaren-Philadelphia Phantoms
It's a
difficult job to be a hard man. On the ice that is Steve
McLaren's role and he plays it well. Off the ice is
another story. Out of uniform McLaren is easily
approachable, personable with an infectious sense of
humor. Down to earth and good natured he is quick
to return a favor. The total antipodes of his on ice
persona Steven's day to day personality is consistent
with that of an enforcer. Like most of the tough guys off
the ice McLaren is easy going, likable and enjoys the
affection and respect of his many fans. Known as "Stone
Cold Steve" because of his intense, calculating and
ferocious fighting style and his similarity to an
unstopable professinal wrestler with the same monicer,there
is nothing "cold" about Steve up close and in
person. Born in Owens Sound, Ontario, Steven left the town when he was a year and a half old. It was then that the family relocated to North Bay. He played minor league hockey all the way through triple A, then played for the midget team in North Bay. "I broke my leg the second year" Steve said, remembering those days. He went on to play with the North Bay Centennials as a walk-on and was then drafted by Chicago in the fourth round after which he came to Philadelphia. He lost his father in tragic car accident at eighteen. It was an event in his life that propelled the youngster into manhood. Devastated by the loss Steven became rededicated to hockey a sport that both he and his Dad loved. “My dad is deceased. He died when I was eighteen in a car accident, my mom's an investor. I have one brother and he is a system design engineer.” Like most youngsters entering the world of hockey, Steven first learned to use his fists during his junior career. Through time, injury and practice he improved his pugilistic skills. Seen here in a serious of fight photos by Joi Williams it's clear to see that McLaren has become quite proficient with his fists. He is built like a tank and hits like one. His best weapon is a powerful upper cut that often lifts his victims (or opponents if you will) up off of the ice.
What is his major motivating factor when he is
out there on the ice? He talked about fighting and the injury (broken nose by Scott Parker) which put Steven out of action for several weeks last season. How did it feel to be sitting in the press box while his comrades were out there battling on the ice? “It was hard not being out there to do my part but on the other hand it gave me time to heal so that when I came back I was very much healed." If you ask him if he is the "best" fighter on the team Steven will quickly tell you that many of his teammates can easily fill that role. "They're all good. Lessard's tough, you've got (Ryan)Bast, everybody. Look at (Chris) Albert. He's not very tall but he just throws it too. Dean Melanson...I look around the room and we've got a bunch of guys who can do it, Francis Belanger. You just go out and stick up for your teammates when you have to." An upstanding and honorable fighter, McLaren is not a fan of the cheap-shot. "I'm not a dishonest fighter. I like to square off and fight the heavy weights." In a revealing comment Steve showed his respect for the current PIM Champion Garrett Burtt by saying , "He does his job". When asked how he would feel if the team won but he was beaten in a fight Steve commented, "I don't Ever what to get the crap beaten out of me! I'm hoping that I never will. I'm hoping that I'm smart enough that if I start to lose I can grab the guy or something. If I go out and get beat up and we win the game because of it...eh. If it pumps the guys up, you've got to do what you've got to do. It's my job to protect my teammates, or try to change the pace of the game or what not." In his spare time Steven enjoys water skiing and playing volleyball. He plans to "Buy a house on the lake. I plan to fish" when he retires. |
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