Kruger reflects on lessons learned in Steinbach

Ralph Krueger’s sporting journey started in the shadow of rinks in Steinbach, and has taken him to some of the highest profile positions.

The former NHL head coach and president of Southampton FC reflected on the lessons he learned in Steinbach during the grand opening of the Southeast Event Centre, which was built on the same land he grew up on.

Krueger’s parents moved to Steinbach in 1959, nearly a decade before the first indoor rink in the community was constructed, and the year Krueger was born.

“The outside rink was 100 metres from our house and I wandered over regularly, eventually with my skates in tow,” Krueger told the gathered crowd to celebrate the grand opening of the Southeast Event Centre.

“The continuous freezing of my fingers and toes improved after Steinbach’s first indoor rink was built.”

The new arena is a far cry from what the initial rink was for a Grade 12 Krueger, who needed to play U18 minor hockey in Winnipeg, driving to practice five times a week.

“That’s over now, I could have played next door,” Krueger said with a chuckle.

Still, the ice surfaces that did exist in Steinbach were well-used by a younger Krueger.

“I did not know it at the time, but on those ice surfaces, I had discovered my professional vehicle for life, sports, and especially ice hockey,” Krueger said.

Krueger sold the property in 2009 to the City of Steinbach, as the community prepared to build the SEC. He was the perfect choice to speak at the building’s new opening, and shared his five values for leadership he learned in Steinbach with the crowd; initiate positive, solutions-based interactions, be a team player, reach beyond your grasp, stick to your values and live primarily in the moment.

“(Those principles) are part of what Steinbach is all about, and I felt it,” Krueger said following the formal event.

“We’re optimistic people, we believe in community, we believe in dreaming big — this event centre is a good example — we have strong values here in Steinbach and above all we’re willing to work hard. I think all of those things were born here, and I continue to try and spread that word.”

Krueger is one of the rare individuals to transfer sports mid-career, moving from head coach of the Edmonton Oilers to chairman of a Premier League club.

“I had coached for 30 years, and I felt I needed something new and fresh,” Krueger remembered.

“(Southampton’s owner) wanted a different kind of leadership and she took the risk of bringing me in to change the culture of the club. I’ve always been a culture-driver and I thought it would be really interesting to go outside of my comfort zone one more time.”

After decades in sport, Krueger is now “semi-retired,” with a small role at FK Austria Wien, a top-flight soccer club based out of Vienna. He keeps busy with motivational speaking in Europe when not spending time with his four grandchildren.