Monsters Check In: Greg Mauldin

Feb 25, 2021

Ahead of the Monsters Black Heritage Celebration on Saturday night, former Monsters captain Greg Mauldin checked in to talk about his time in Cleveland, how he got into hockey and his path to where he is. A firm believer in following dreams and doing what makes you happy, Mauldin is now a coach for USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

Looking back at your time in Cleveland, what was your favorite experience?

All the fans we used to have there [were amazing]. Everything about being there and in the same place that the Cavs played was great. [It was fun when] we would get tickets and were down there courtside especially. The arena itself and the locker rooms were great… I just really enjoyed my time there. A lot of people have negative ideas about Cleveland, but I think the city was great and especially playing there in the American Hockey League. I had a blast.

If you had the chance to come back to Cleveland today, where would be your first stop?

I would go a Cleveland Browns football game again. We only got to go to a handful of games [with the schedule] but it was always a good time being around the guys. I would also want to go back to Crocker Park. That’s where I was living at the time and I would love to see how that developed.

Growing up, how were you introduced to the game of hockey? Who did you look up to?

I was introduced to hockey because my mom had received tickets to a Bruins Alumni Game. I think they were playing the neighboring firefighters or police department, and I was six when we went to the game… they were doing silly antics. Right away I fell in love with it and I remember that night after going home that I wanted to play. I got the skates at a Salvation Army and it went from there. I was really fortunate that Mike Grier grew up in my town. I followed his career ever since I knew who he was, and I remember I saw him a few times around town. I was able to get his autograph and even play against him a handful of times in the NHL. I owe a lot of my career to Mike with how he helped me and was there to look up to.

What is some advice you would give young kids growing up who want to enter the game of hockey?

Just got for it! Not just about hockey but any sport. Make sure you have the love and the passion for it. I think that’s the most important thing. I think sometimes we get too consumed doing what we think we are supposed to do and not what we really want to do. At a young age I knew this is what I wanted to do and kept on it. I think if more people really tried playing hockey, they would fall in love with it because it is nothing like anything else. It is different than any sport. You are literally in a bubble and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Things happen fast and it’s tough to skate and stick handle while avoiding being hit. It’s something special… I think once someone gets on the ice and feel the wind against their face because they are skating fast or get that first hockey stop and the snow flies up in the air, I think they’ll be addicted right away.

Looking back through your journey, what led you to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program?

I always assumed coaching was something I would get into, but as I got older I started wondering if I really wanted to get into it. When the opportunity came through USA Hockey to do it, I was talking with Lawrence Feloney, video coach for the Nashville Predators, because he’s one of my good friends. I talked to him about it after seeing what he’s done over the years and thought it was a good situation for me. I like working with kids and helping develop players. [It allows me to] teach them something I wish someone taught me at that same age and grow the sport as much as possible.

You are the first Black coach in USA Hockey National Team Development Program history, what does this mean to you?

It is cool, but I had never thought about it when I took this job… I never knew about it until someone told me. It was never a thing for me, but I guess someone must be the first for something every time. I take a great deal of pride and honor in that. I’m just trying to do the best that I can to be me and hopefully it shows other people to live their dreams and take strides. Hopefully this helps [show] someone else that… ‘hey there can be a Black coach in hockey’. It’s not something I set up to do or said to myself I’d be the first. I just love hockey. I love to coach. I applied for the job and got it and here I am. That type of thing being said like that, I’m very thankful and honored to have that recognition and honor but at the end of the day I’m just me and want to coach.