Former Meteor wins championship
When Trevor Parkes cracked the lineup of the Fort Erie Meteors as a rookie in 2008, his hockey dreams had been fulfilled.
“The year was so much fun,” Parkes recalled. “I was planning on playing a few years with the Meteors. As a kid growing up in Fort Erie, I remember going to the games and that’s what you did. It was a dream come true and if my career was only the Fort Erie Meteors, I would have called that a success.
“It was an awesome thing to work and strive for.”
As much as the 32-year-old Fort Erie native enjoyed his experience with the Mets — he was effusive in his praise of former Meteors coach Wayne Groulx and late owner Tony Passero — it was only the beginning of a long and successful pro career.
Parkes recently completed his seventh season playing pro in Germany with EHC München of Deutsche Eishockey Liga where he was part of a championship squad which also included former Niagara IceDog Chris DeSousa.
Parkes also won a championship in the American Hockey League with Grand Rapids earlier in his career, but said that experienced paled in comparison.
“I didn’t play any games in playoffs,” he said of his AHL title. “I was the extra man waiting for someone to get hurt. I practised every day and got to go on ice and celebrate like I won it but I didn’t feel like I had the sweat equity in it when you play those games and battle so I kind of call this one my first even though I’ve been part of another championship team.”
Parkes, who collected 10 points in 18 playoff games, couldn’t say enough good things about his experience playing pro in Germany.
“The lifestyle is really awesome and the culture in Germany is great,” he said. “Fans are what makes the league. The rinks range in size anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 and there are a couple of NHL style arenas but every game is basically a sellout. It’s like a soccer game where fans are in sections chanting the whole game. They don’t sit down so it’s a really cool environment.
“I’ve been there seven years now and every year it’s gotten better and better.”
Away from the rink, Parkes said the everything is top notch, including a beautiful apartment, use of a car for the season and tax-free earnings.
“What you agree on is what’s in your bank account,” he said. “You just have to worry about hockey. It’s a great place to make play if you can’t make the NHL.”
Parkes felt he was on the verge of cracking the NHL on a couple of occasions. The first was in the Red Wings organization but the NHL lockout in 2012 cancelled training camp and over half the season. He also felt he was on the cusp in 2015/16 following a solid season in the AHL with the San Jose Barraduca.
“I really thought it would be my break and chance to make the jump,” Parkes said.
Instead, his only firm offer was an AHL contract with the Los Angeles Kings organization so Parkes decided to give Europe a shot.
“I didn’t know if I was ready to commit because I thought it was my time to make the NHL,” he said. “It was a leap of faith. Went over to Europe a lot younger than most guys would and soon as I got there, I had a good year and never looked back.”
Parkes still has time left on his contract and is looking to play three more seasons.
“My goal when I first started playing was 10 years and that’s come and gone and my new goal is 35,” he said. “I like being able to be a big part of the team and producing and helping the team win. Now, as you get older it’s more about your body and staying healthy and doing the right things to be able to perform at a high level.”
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