Mellon Arena Memories - Bill Guerin - 07-21-10
"Mellon Arena Memories" is a feature will will appear on a daily basis in this forum until July 30, when the Penguins will officially leave the only facility they have known as their home arena since the franchise was formed in 1967. Today's subject is Bill Guerin.
Bill Guerin is currently a free agent right winger. He spent the part of the past two seasons with the Penguins following a transaction at the 2009 trade deadline in which Guerin came from the New York Islanders in exchange for a draft pick. Following the trade, Guerin, teamed on a line with Sidney Crosby primarily, appeared in 17 regular season games and recorded 12 points.
In the postseason, Guerin helped the team claim its third Stanley Cup title by appearing in all 24 playoff games and contributing 15 points.
Guerin opted to return to the Penguins at the age of 39 in the offseason. Teamed up again with Crosby, Guerin punched in 45 points and 21 goals. It was his 13th NHL season with 20 or more goals. In the postseason, Guerin was once again one of the team's top producers as he collected nine points in 11 playoff games.
In 95 career regular season games with the Penguins, Guerin has 57 points.
(Note: This interview was conducted in April.)
On playing in Mellon/Civic Arena as a visitor:
"I remember playing in the playoffs here (with the Devils) playing against the Penguins when they had all their guys. Like Ronnie Francis, (Rick) Tocchet, obviously Mario (Lemieux), Kevin Stevens, (Luc) Robitaille. All those guys. Joey Mullen, (Jaromir) Jagr. Always a tough night coming in."
Worst part of Mellon/Civic Arena:
"Always remember going into that crappy visiting locker room. It’s old. That’s just the way things were back then. But I don’t have to worry about that now. I’m here."
Best part of Mellon/Civic Arena:
"I love the (home) dressing room. It’s an old building, but it has a good feel to it during the games. The people are right on top of you with the balconies right on top of you. A good old rink."
Favorite memory of Mellon/Civic Arena:
"Honestly, just going through every game here last year (2008-09) is my best memory of this building. I played a ton here on the road but I got to say just the whole experience of being here last year was great."
On his overtime goal in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Flyers:
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"The feeling you get afterward. Our crowds here are great. Just the excitement in the building and the genuine passion that the fans have here. It was a big night for us."
(Photos: First and second-Peter Diana/Post-Gazette; Third-Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)