If you are an X/Twitter user, then you know that there is no short supply of great users when it comes to hockey content.
One such follow is “The Original Burnsie” (@burnsieoriginal). The man behind the account, who wishes to remain anonymous, took time out of his busy schedule to tell us about how he got into hockey, how he got so many followers, the kind of content he likes to post, and much more.
I hope you enjoy this and that it pushes you to start following him!
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PH: Growing up, how did you get into hockey?
TOB: My father used to travel to Montreal regularly for work when I was very young. He used to go to Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Expos games and he would bring me back memorabilia and stories from his trips to the old Forum and the Big O.
PH: You have such a large following on X/Twitter. How did you manage to garner all of them?
TOB: I just try to be myself and share my passion for the game and how important it has been in my life. If people can relate to that and appreciate that, the more the merrier.
I love interacting with people who appreciate the game as much as I do because I believe it is the greatest game on earth and it is one that every kid should have an opportunity to experience if they want.
PH: When you are on X/Twitter, what is your goal content-wise? What are you looking to provide your followers and others who come across your feed?
TOB: Once again, hockey is my passion. I love to share anything nostalgic that reminds me of the good old days.
My goal is to inspire others and kids to pick up a hockey stick and go outside. I also try to be honest and sincere about what is happening in the game and provide my opinion. If it helps improve the game, grows it, and puts a smile on someone’s face, that is what I want.
I feel like I have to try to help the game of hockey because it has given me everything.
PH: One of the pieces of content you post is the “daily stretch.” How did you come up with that theme, and what do you try and accomplish with it?
TOB: I was never really active on Twitter up until probably four years ago. A lot of things were changing in my life and I needed an outlet.
I have always had a lot to say about the world, our country, and the game in general conversation with people, so I think the “daily stretch” sprung up from that and it just turned into a hockey theme quickly. I have a bit of an obsession with old school goalies so it allowed me to showcase them and inspired me to produce more content.
PH: What are #Bluenoserbeauty and #TheCoach902?
TOB: #Bluenoserbeauty was inspired by the beauty of my province of Nova Scotia and the sailing schooner, the “Bluenose’, which was launched in 1921 out of Lunenburg and dominated the international racing circuit for a decade and became a Canadian icon. It appears on our dime.
The term bluenoser became a nickname for Nova Scotians in the late 18th century and has stuck ever since. There are all kinds of rumors on how it started but I do not think anyone knows for sure. Bottom line, if you see #Bluenoserbeauty, guaranteed, it is all things Nova Scotian, the people, the landscape, and the warm hearts of our residents.
#Coach902 was inspired by being a coach myself and 902 is our area code for the province. It is just another outlet for me to reach the kids and to focus on the passion and the old school game and to remind them of how to play the game the right way.
A selfless, team-first approach and the sacrifice needed to be successful on the ice and in life.
PH: You are a big hockey card collector. How did you get into that hobby?
TOB: Same thing. My hockey obsession knew no limits at an early age, so naturally, hockey cards were another thing that kept me attached to the game.
When I was younger, there was a small convenience store that was close to school. We would spend our lunch money on packs of hockey cards and of course, there was the 1979/80 the rookie year of Wayne Gretzky.
I still have some cards that I bought from those early packs and they are proudly still in my collection. They are in horrible condition, but I do not care, hahaha!
They transport me back and that’s what I love about memorabilia.
PH: Do you have any other hockey-related hobbies? If so, which ones?
TOB: I have been a hockey coach in my local association for 11 years and I have two boys who played (I still coach one of them). I love the hockey community and if the lakes are frozen, I am out there.
I still go to the rink two to three times a week outside of the team to skate as it is great for my mental health. I am happy out there and there is nothing like feeling the breeze in your face and it is good exercise.
I also coach hockey in the spring and summer sometimes. It depends on the opportunity and who needs me. The boys also play baseball and I help there as well if needed.
PH: Have you ever looked into creating hockey content on a full-time basis or doing something in hockey full-time?
TOB: Yes. I would like to expand into a regular podcast or show. I have had numerous discussions, but there has not been the right fit as of yet.
Once my youngest is completely out of minor hockey, I would like to coach at some of the higher levels and potentially something bigger. I will have time then as I enjoy being behind the bench.
PH: I am an American, but a part of me wishes I lived in Canada because of how obsessed I am with hockey. What does it mean for you to be a Canadian who loves hockey and why do you think Canadians love hockey so much?
TOB: It is in my blood (our blood) and it is a big part of who we are. I want to give back because of it and help our kids appreciate it and hopefully inspire them to love it too.
It is a beautiful game and if we have more kids playing team sports, I think we will have a better world.
PH: Is there anything else that you would like to share with hockey fans?
TOB: Do not ever stop playing even when your minor hockey career is over. You are never old to start. Remember that.
Play ball hockey, play ice hockey, play roller hockey, whatever. Just keep it in your life and your heart.
