By Steve Fitzsimmons /
Long-time Ontario Hockey League colour analyst with Rogers TV, Bill Granger of Guelph, Ont., recently accepted a volunteer position to work at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Working as a ‘sport assistant – protocol’ in men’s hockey at Canada Hockey Place (GM Place), Granger will monitor pre-game schedules/routines and game flow, to help ensure games begin and end in the assigned time slots. This will be critically important in the early rounds of the Olympic Hockey Tournament as there will be up to three games played at this venue in a single day.
Granger credits his long-time connection with hockey and his administrative experience in education as key factors in being offered this position. This includes nine years as an on-ice official with the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), colour commentator with various OHL teams that include the Soo Greyhounds, Guelph Storm, and four years with the Sudbury Wolves. Presently, Granger is in his ninth season as colour analyst with the OHL’s Guelph Storm on Rogers TV.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” comments Granger. “I consider myself very fortunate to have been selected. Having the chance to be part of fifteen days of the best international hockey available will no doubt be the highlight of my hockey experiences.”
In preparation for this unique experience, Granger will attend job-specific training in Vancouver in November. His Olympic experience will last the entire month of February 2010. |