Islanders' Barry Trotz, Ryan Pulock talk about their Manitoba roots

WINNIPEG — Barry Trotz was not in Grandview, Manitoba, for Ryan Pulock Day in August, but he read all about it in his own hometown paper, the Dauphin Herald, which covered the nearby event.

When the Islanders coach saw a new sign had been erected touting Grandview as hometown of his defenseman, he texted Pulock and wrote, "You’re a big deal there, for sure."

Then Pulock signed a contract extension last month worth nearly $50 million.

Said Trotz, "All my friends in the Dauphin and Grandview area asked if he was going to buy the golf course so they could get a deal on that."

Trotz and Pulock spoke about their Manitoba roots before Saturday night’s game against the Jets — the first for the Islanders here in nearly 25 months. (Grandview and Dauphin are several hours’ drive from Winnipeg.)

Islanders TV analyst Butch Goring, who is from Winnipeg, also enjoyed a homecoming this weekend.

Pulock said it was especially nice to have his family present, because they could not watch him play in person at all last season.

Of the sign in his honor, he said, "I think the people back there are pretty proud that I come from there and they have supported me all along, and so it’s definitely a nice honor to see that."

Trotz still has many friends and relatives in Manitoba. He grew up a fan of the original Jets franchise, which played in the WHA and NHL from 1972-96 before moving to Phoenix.

He said at times the demands on him when he is in Winnipeg can be "overwhelming." He recalled one visit with the Capitals when he had some 200 guests at the game.

"It’s hard to see everybody and give them the time they want," he said.

By Neil Best

Special to Newsday@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.