Justin Bourne & his bride-to-be, Brianna Gillies

I’m trying to do a few interviews with Grads leading up to my BIG 10 Year Reunion on July 3rd, and I’m pleased to announce that my first Q & A is with Justin Bourne – an old hockey and golf team mate of mine. I had heard through the grapevine that he was doing some professional hockey writing and I’m happy that he was willing to do this!

WILL YOU BE ATTENDING THE REUNION? IF NOT, WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE?
Unfortunately, I won’t be attending the reunion for a couple reasons. 1) Time: A good friend is getting married in Minneapolis the same weekend. 2) No sidekick: Without Casey Fodor or Carly Burke, I’m afraid no one will recognize me.

WHERE ARE YOU LIVING AND WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THESE DAYS?
I’m living in Phoenix, and writing about sports (mostly hockey). I played up to the AHL, then busted my face and started writing while I healed up. It caught on, and I switched careers. Now I contribute to USA Today, The Hockey News, Yahoo’s “Puck Daddy” and run a blog at www.jtbourne.com

MARRIED? KIDS?
Engaged. My lovely bride-to-be, Brianna Gillies, was my next door neighbor in NY from 0-6 years old (our Dad’s played on the Islanders together). We re-met in 2005 when my Dad was inducted into the Isles Hall-of-Fame, and we’re living together in Arizona. She’s an Occupational Therapist at St. Joseph’s Hospital (Barrow Neurological Institute)

DID YOU DO ANY POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION?
I did. I spent four years in Alaska on a hockey scholarship, getting my degree in psychology.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LOOKED AT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK?
Ha, no idea. High school? I made awful hair decisions.

ARE YOU STILL TOUCH WITH ANYONE FROM HIGH SCHOOL?
Yep, I’d say I’m closest with Dave Cunning and Neil Corbett from my days at Mt. Boucherie. And Mr. Treadgold. We hang out all the time.

WHAT WOULD YOU DIFFERENTLY IN HIGH SCHOOL IF YOU COULD DO IT AGAIN?
Drink. I would drink like a fish and not get hungover.

WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU MISS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
In class, I’d say being at the back of Mrs. Heymen’s English class (look Mrs. H, I’m a writer!). Out of class, I’d say sitting in Paul Hampson’s basement and playing NHL ’00 on Playstation.

ANY FAVOURITE GOOD (OR BAD) MEMORIES THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS?
No, but I have a question: do they still let you skip an absurd amount of class and never really ask many questions? How was that ever possible?

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE 20 YEAR REUNION?
I’d like to have a kid, have a much higher paid writing/tv analyst gig, and not be absurdly fat. My metabolism is slower than Mr. Fowler was in Grade Nine Social Studies.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY / SHARE?
Yeah, if you haven’t read any of my work, give it a go – I’d start with the stuff at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy or my blog. Also, sorry I couldn’t make it. Would’ve been nice to see everyone.

BONUS QUESTION: Who’s gonna win the Stanley Cup this year?
I think Chicago wins the first road game of the series in Philly to win it in six!

You can reach Justin at: jtbourne@gmail.com
His blog site is: www.jtbourne.com

ABOUT JUSTIN BOURNE (From Justin’s Blog)
I’m a hockey player turned writer. After playing for Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA (NCAA), I carried on with a NHL tryout (New York Islanders in 2007) before spending a couple seasons in the AHL/ECHL. My father, Bob Bourne, won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the ’80′s, as did my fiancee’s dad, Clark Gillies. I’m now a columnist for USA Today, The Hockey News and Hockey Primetime.com.