This weeks subject is 26 year old Jim McLean who celebrated his birthday 10 days ago. He was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1973 and srarted playing hockey three years bterwhen his parents thought it would be a good idea to get him involved to keep him out of trouble. The biggest influence on young Jim was his parents who instilled their values and worth ethic into him and have always been 100% behind him. He grew up admiring Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque but now. while still rating Bourque highly, reckons that Steve Vierrnan is the top player.

Jim won a host of awards before becoming a Pirate and these included a nomination to the All Canadian Team in College, best defenceman. Mr Hustle and some leadership awards. His most memorable game came when playing lor the SAIT Trojans (and just incase you ever wondered, that stands for Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) when they won the College championship game, in the 97/98 season, by a 3-2 scoreline. It wasn't that Jim scored the winning goal or was MVP that made it memorable it was because it was a perfect culmination to a long, hard season and was thee best hockey he'd ever been involved in. Jim listed two minutes as his won ever. The first when he suffered a broken foot while blocking a shot (ouch), and the second when he broke his wrist after being checked into the boards from behind (double ouch),

Jim, now standing ar 5' 11'' and weighing in at I94lbs turned pro with Amrillo Rattlers last season after being picked up by the Western Professional Hockey League following a camp in Calgary but his desire to play in Europe, aided by ex-team mate Chris Jamieson's influence, saw him |ump at the chance to come over the pond when the chance presented itself here in Paisley. Apart from Armarillo and the Trojans, Jim's other team, in the Saskatchewan junior Hockey League, was Nipawin Hawks and this is where His superstition about always having the number 5 shirt started. When he knew it was available he grabbed it and now says "I'll wear Number 5 as long as I'm a Pirate" which will be a long time if his long term ambition is fulfilled. He would like to be with the team as they grow and mature into a championship winning side. He didn't know any of his current team mates {except Chris) before coming over but had met up, and skated with, Dave Trofimenkotf before flying over. Jim thinks he can get better at all the points of his game but his strongest suits are his communication and leadership on die ice and his worst aspect is that he sometimes gets drawn out of position by trying to do too much. He reckons that his own performances have been okay that he has ro get better if the team is to start winning consistently. To do this we'll have to beat Fife who Jim reckons are our toughest opponents as they are a strong team unit and a perfect example of what the Pirates want to be like. Of course, that is what the aim is but like any long term plan it takes patience and time from all concerned.

Jim points out His most embarrassing on ice moments have been when accidentally scoring against his own team and off ice was an incident on the running track at school. Jim was a bit reluctant to tell but we forced an explanation out of him. His teams dressing room at school, was not connected to the training room next to aforementioned running track and Jim nipped across ro grab some tape with no more than a towel round his waist to protect his modesty. As he went to re-enter the dressing room a couple of the guys grabbed the towel and locked him out just as the girls football team started to use the running track

Jim's day job doesn't take him away from hockey as he and Chris are in charge of marketing and promotion for the Pirates with the aim of boosting the crowds and gaining some much needed Financial help for the side. Hence the excellent competitions in this very programme (on page 9, go on have ago!)

Jim relaxes by playing golf, not very well he thinks, watching movies and he loves ro cook. He doesn't see himself with any other team as he enjoys being a Pirate and says he will be here as long as he is wanted. He summed himself up in one sentence with the words "a hard working, positive leader" and don't have one wish as he thinks that having his family and friends healthy, playing the game he loves and living in a pretty great place are more than he could wish for anyway.

His advice to younger players is to never give up no matter what happens along the way. That is not only very good advice for younger players but also for everyone here at the Lagoon as we scale the very steep learning curve that this team has taken on. We should reach the top of that curve a lot quicker with players like Jim McLean in our ranks.