He lives half-way around the world, in Qatar where he’s been for years working with the College of the North Atlantic.
But then again, it is a small world, isn’t it?
Even calling the Middle East home, through this weird pandemic time, no less, Mount Pearl’s Greg Scott has used social media and a deep-rooted passion for sports to stay in touch with the folks back in Newfoundland, and it’s proven to be a hit with hockey fans pining for some Stanley Cup action other than the “classics” broadcast today to fill up air time on the cable networks.
For the past while, Scott has been polling Facebook friends and others on past and present hockey greats. The idea’s simple enough. For example: Who would you rather have on defence? Nick Lidstrom or Ray Bourque?
Questions which elicit numerous replies and often-times colourful and emphatic comments.
“A few weeks ago,” Scott wrote recently in an email, “I happened to see a friend’s post on Facebook doing a similar poll on movie stars.
“I thought it would be a good way to keep friends and sports fans engaged during these pandemic days. I originally started with the NFL and polling quarterback matchups. The matchups were well received by Facebook friends and I garnered much feedback.
“I then thought because the NHL playoffs were supposed to start, why not compare NHL all-time greats and current stars of the game?”
The idea has proven to be plenty of fun. Anyone who follows sports with fervor will acknowledge part of the appeal is the debate and banter that comes with the game.
Like this week’s question in which Scott asked, who would you take: Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon? Or Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic? Pavel Bure or Alexander Mogilny? Brent Burns or Victor Hedman?
The latest question no doubt stokes the fire of the fans who enjoyed (past tense, now that fighting has all but been eliminated from the NHL) the pugilistic part of the game.
Bob Probert or Tie Domi?
He’ll keep a running tab on the “votes” and release a “winner” after a few days a question was posted.
“You alluded to the (Brett) Hull and (Teemu) Selanne comparison,” he said. “This one ended up being extremely close. Both were exceptionally gifted snipers, but I think the “Finnish Flash” got the nod because of his remarkable rookie campaign of 76 tallies!
“Opinions are what make these matchups interesting,” he said. “True fans have their favourites, but I think to chime in one should objectively weigh all facets of a player’s career.
“Championships, playoff performances, productivity (statistics), value to his team and to the league as a whole, etc. should be considered when formulating a contention.
“For example, while I do not take issue with the majority of hockey fans exalting “The Great One” over “Super Mario”, I personally favoured Mario Lemieux’s rare combination of speed, power and finesse.”
When coming up with poll questions, Scott will try to compare players within their respective eras and positions.
Further to the hockey polls, he is now wading into baseball surveys. For 11 days, he says, he’ll do 11 matchups – nine positional players, designated hitters and relief pitchers.
“Sports fans traditionally relish this time of year,” he said, “when the NHL and NBA playoffs are in full swing and the “Boys of Summer” have taken to the ball field for the start of MLB.”
In the meantime, he misses playing hockey in the desert, in the ‘Q’ – the Qatar International Ice Hockey League.
“Although our season was lost, I look forward to the day when I can lace ’em up again,” he said. “Here’s hoping to better days ahead when we can all get back to a new normal, which includes the return of sports.”
He’s doing a pretty good job himself keeping the interest alive.
Robin Short is The Telegram’s Sports Editor. He can be reached by email [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TelyRobinShort
