SPORTS BABE OF THE DAY: Curtis “Cujo” Joseph, Retired NHL Goalie, 3 Time NHL All-Star
Apparently, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Curtis “Cujo” Joseph and his infamous snarling dog mask made history together throughout his 20 years of professional hockey. From the St. Louis Blues, to my home team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Cujo is known as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.
Cujo has the most career wins of any goaltender, who hasn’t won a Stanley Cup, in NHL history – with 454 wins. He is a three time NHL All-Star, in ’94, ’99 and 2000, and was recognized for his outstanding leadership skills when he was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. He was a part of the 2002 Canadian Olympic Men’s Hockey Team, and brought home a gold for Canada.
But, who is the man behind the mask? Curtis Josephs is a family man, Gillette spokesperson, and our Sports Babe of the Day.
6 QUESTIONS WITH CURTIS “CUJO” JOSEPH
1. So, Father’s Day is coming up, we should start with that. What are those experiences that sons most remember with dad? What do you remember about your dad, versus what your son will remember about you?
Well I was adopted, so my experiences aren’t quite like what my kids experience. It’s a different generation. I try to be a really hands on dad and give them all the experiences that sometimes I didn’t have. Playing professional hockey, I could bring them to work a lot and get them to experience that, and meet famous NHL players. I just wanted them to take away as much as they could, so hopefully I did that. Sometimes I say “Hey guys, remember that time we went to Minnesota to watch the game, when I was playing?” They’ll say “oh ya, we remember that trip.” They start talking about it, and telling me things I didn’t know that happened. So, I’m just listening. It makes it all worth it – that they have those memories.
2. What memories do you have with your dad? Anything hockey related?
Not really, they were a lot older, and I was adopted. He was a Godly man. He was a good man, but just not that close. Maybe it was just a different generation.
3. What pushed you into hockey? What was the major drive there?
I always had an internal drive. I always wanted to better my life. I couldn’t afford it and I didn’t have options. I tell my kids, “listen I was hungry and I was motivated to make something of myself.” I would look around and see that I needed to make something of my life. At 20 years old, I didn’t have a scholarship, I wasn’t drafted, I wasn’t in the OHL. At 20 years old, I should’ve been going to a Humber College or something. I was going out to Notre Dame to live in a trailer and to play Jr. hockey. I got a scholarship, last minute to Wisconsin – at 21 years old. So, once I got my foot in the door, I was driven. I was self driven. I try to pass those traits along to my kids and how I grew up and how it’s a competitive world and you need to start thinking about what you’re going to do in life. You don’t need to know. When I went to college, I didn’t know what I was going to be. I was certainly thinking about going into to business. But, all I can hope for is that they get to college and get a good education and meet a lot of people along the way and enjoy it. I try to pass that on.
4. So, Gillette’s new razor for Father’s Day is all about the special or unique relationships men have with their fathers. What makes you a unique dad?
I like to raise good people, raise good men. At least 50% think that their dad is unique. I think I’m a unique dad. I tried to be fun and so I was the perfect fit for Gillette’s new product. It’s great. Sons look up to their dads. Especially when they are small. They look up to their dad – everything that they do. I try to be a good role model and my job helped make me a unique individual.
5. Speaking of Gillette…obviously you have had an amazing career – why Gillette now?
Well like I said, it’s an endorsement that fit perfectly for me. I’m a dad, Father’s Day is coming up. They have a brand new product for Father’s Day, a lot of dad’s receive razors for Father’s Day. It’s a great gift. I’ve gotten two from Gillette, thankfully, for my sons. They are 20 and 17 and they have this…little bit of hair and I’m always like, “hey, guys – shave that off. It looks terrible.” So, I am a perfect fit.
One year I was, I have the trophy at home, a Gillette world champion. It dates back to the late nineties. I’ll have to show it to you! I’m going to take a picture and send it to you! I have so many trophies, I might just give it to you to put on your desk! For safe keeping. It would be funny. Remind me in an email.
6. Who has been your most influential coach, in both your youth and professional career?
That’s a good question (Thanks! – from Chevy). I tried to take something from everyone. When I was younger, I played single a hockey so it wasn’t as competitive as AAA my kids play now. And it was always a dad who coached, so I looked up to my friend’s dads who coached and how strong they were. You know, usually if they were coaching the team, they had a good personality, and I was a quiet kid, so that was good.
When I got to the pros, Brian Sutter was my first coach and he was punching you in the arm! This motivated man that comes from this family. He was my first NHL coach, which was awesome. I had Wayne Gretzky as a coach! Talk about unique. He called me and said “I’m coaching this year and I know you’re a free agent.” That was a great phone call. It was Pittsburgh before Sidney Crosby and I said “I know what Pittsburgh looks like in the winter, and I know what phoenix looks like and Wayne’s calling me… and Mario didn’t.” So, I ended up going to Phoenix. Wayne was influential as far as, he puts family first. And there’s a guy, the first coach I ever had, that wasn’t worried about his job. You know, he was part owner too. Most coaches are on the edge if you lose a few games. You’re more confident than they are. But, Wayne was never never on edge, He played so many important games. He was very calm. Actually playing in the World Cup with Gretzky and Messier – I watched how these guys handle pressure. Playing for your country is huge pressure and I watched how these guys handled it. They were like “what time is lunch?” They were so cool and collected it was fun to watch.
Gillette is teaming up with Walmart Canada so you, your family and friends can demonstrate your unique hockey moves as Fusion ProGlide with FlexBall Technology – the razor that moves like no other – hits store shelves just in time for Father’s Day.
You’ll get the chance to meet former pro hockey player, Curtis Joseph, as you show your best hockey moves with our hockey shoot out simulator. Curtis Joseph will be on-site at the Mississauga Square One Walmart Supercentre at 100 City Centre Drive in Mississauga on June 14th from noon to 4 p.m. Join the Facebook event page for more information.
Find out more about Cujo on his website www.curtisjoseph.ca and don’t forget to pick up a Gillette razor before Father’s Day, for the unique father in your life. #shaveface
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