Brad Tiley: A Lifetime of Dedication

By: Heather Quirke

Dedication, a key word associated with the sport of hockey. By definition it means devoting or setting aside for a particular purpose. It is dedication to the sport that encourages players to show up to every practice and every game. Hockey has become one of the most popular sports in the world because of the dedication of its players.

Since its origination in Windsor, Nova Scotia (1800), hockey has been the foremost sport of Canada. Since that time, Canadians have shown 100 percent dedication to the sport they discovered. Canadians, even during wartime, proved that they were dedicated to “their” sport. To quote Thomas H. Raddall, a noted Nova Scotia historical novelist, “When soldiers were transferred to military posts along the Saint Lawrence and Great Lakes, they took the game with them; and for some time afterwards continued to send to Dartmouth Indians for the necessary sticks.” One player who proves he has that kind of dedication is Philadelphia Phantoms defenseman Brad Tiley.

Tiley grew up in Markdale, Ontario. At the age of four, Brad decided that he wanted to play hockey. It was the influence of his father and older brother that encouraged Brad to work hard, build his skills and become a better player. As a child, Tiley remembers watching Canada’s hockey night and playing hockey in the living room and street with his friends. It was from that point on he knew he wanted to be a professional hockey player.

“Being from Canada, hockey had a huge impact on me and I knew that being a professional player was what I wanted to do,” reflected Tiley.

Even though he spent the majority of his youth playing hockey, Tiley says that he was never deprived of a “normal” childhood and had all the opportunities the other kids had growing up.

Tiley has now been a professional hockey player for 12 years and as one of the Phantoms’ veteran players, he takes on the task of being a role model to his teammates, children and fans. When asked what advice he would give to kids he said, “If you want to be a professional athlete, work hard and have fun at whatever you are doing.” Brad is the father of two kids who are now starting to play hockey. He encourages them to try hard and be the best they can be.

As a professional athlete, Tiley relishes his unique schedule. “I have had the opportunity to meet many great people inside and outside of hockey. Being a part of a team, I get to be around 20 guys with the same similarities as me. I’ve had great times and I wouldn’t get that with a nine to five job.”

The Phantoms organization has also been a great tool for Brad. “There are so many resources here for you to get better and the fans in Philadelphia are a lot more supportive than those of other cities I have played in. There is such a great atmosphere here.”

Tiley has incredible dedication to his team and the sport of hockey. “Being there every day for your teammates, having fun and putting in as much effort as you can is true dedication and I believe with that you can go a long ways in life.”

Brad Tiley is truly dedicated to the sport of hockey and hopes that his dedication will bring him to the ultimate goal of winning the Phantoms’ second Calder Cup championship.

Tuesday, November 05, 2002