Turgeon credits Arbour's ability to "make everyone feel like a part of the team, no matter how big or small your role was," and how well he was "able to adjust to each guy and figure out what each guy needed. He saw the game so well, and knew right away if you were going good, you were back out there right away. If not, he let you know what was missing, and if you brought it next time out there, he made sure to let you know he saw it." (Then he echoed something many of the dynasty greats have said, "He was like a dad to us.")
In fact, Arbour's influence on Turgeon continues to this day. He said Arbour taught him to "be in the moment and embrace what you see every day." Seems fairly Zen for the rough and tumble sport of hockey, but Turgeon explained it came out of a conversation about staying focused and staying positive. You might only get six or seven shifts in a period, and each shift might be only 45 seconds. Arbour told him, "Define your shift. If you make a mistake, don't keep it. Process it and move on. Think about the next shift." Turgeon says he still tries to do that, staying present for what life presents, choosing what to do with his time, and then giving everything he has to that moment.
ALUMNI CORNER: BRENDAN WITT | KELLY HRUDEY
In 2007, Turgeon played his last NHL game for the Avalanche. He and his family decided to stay in Colorado, and he immediately began coaching his kids. His girls were good enough to play against boys' teams locally while traveling to places like Minnesota and Chicago to play against other strong girls' teams. It was quite a commitment. One of his daughters, Valerie, who is dating Isles' prospect Oliver Wahlstrom, eventually played at Harvard, and his son, Dominic, was drafted by the Red Wings in 2014. Now 23, Dominic has an important year coming up with the Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapid Griffins. Turgeon served as the offensive coordinator for the Kings a couple of years ago, and although he really liked it, he found himself missing too many of his kids' games and wanting more time with his wife and family. His oldest daughter, Alexandra, just got married this summer, and Turgeon is finally relaxing. He still loves attending alumni gatherings for any of his old teams, especially when there's a charity involved. If you should happen to run into him at one of these events and have a chance to meet him, don't pass it up. You won't meet a nicer guy.