Ken Pereira is one of Canada’s best known field hockey players. He represented Canada at five Pan Am Games, winning gold twice. His international career spanned 20 years and 348 games. During that time he also played in two Olympic Games, two World Cups and three Commonwealth Games.
We caught up with Ken on the eve of this year’s Pan Am Games and asked which of those events meant the most to him?
“They are all very special but for sure my first Pan Am Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 1995. It sticks out because it was my first. I just remember the crowds were crazy. And of course, Winnipeg 1999 when we won against Argentina. I got the only goal in the final. It was the only goal I scored in the tournament, but it was the winner.”
When it comes to picking an individual match that had special significance, Ken points to two matches during the 2007 Games at Rio de Janeiro. In the semi-finals, Canada were losing to Trinidad and Tobago, a lead they managed to claw back in regulation time. The match then went to extra time and Pereira’s teammate Wayne Fernandes scored the winner. Canada virtually recreated that scenario in the final, going behind to Argentina twice then beating them on sudden death penalty strokes.
When it comes to taking part in the Pan Am Games, Ken says that the fact that the event is an Olympic qualifier gives it an added excitement. “I loved the pressure that created, it was huge as a result. Also, it was just a fun games. I always enjoyed myself and meeting other athletes from other sports was great.”
For non-athletes, it is hard to imagine what it must be like wearing the national playing strip, standing with teammates on the field of play as the national anthem plays. For Ken it was always a special moment: “It's pretty indescribable actually, standing there arm and arm with your teammates with the Maple Leaf on your chest representing your country. It’s unbelievable. I always got goosebumps, and still do, whenever I hear the anthem. I always got in grief for not singing along but I didn't want to drown out the anthem with my out of key singing, I just loved listening.”
When Ken stopped playing for Canada, he says it was tough to readjust to life away from the field. “I never really wanted to stop. I love this game and loved playing for Canada. I would trade in all five of my Pan Ams to play in this one coming up in my home town of Toronto. I think it's going to be great.
“Retiring from your sport, it’s very tough, you do something your whole life and then bang it's gone and you have to make major adjustments. 20 years is a long time. I love my life now though. It's the best.”
But, while the 42-year-old is enjoying his life, there remains a hint of nostalgia and regret when he looks back on his international playing days. “I miss everything about playing for Canada; the travel, the team, the competition of playing against the best, the pressure, the goofing around, the jokes, even signing autographs!”
These days Ken is a personal trainer and hockey coach. He runs coaching clinics as well as coaching provincial sides and high school teams. He has also just graduated from a fire fighting course, and once he has passed a few more tests, he is hoping to make this a full-time career. His natural competitive nature comes to the fore as he talks with relish about the “competitive environment” of the firefighting world.
The new career will call for high levels of fitness, something Ken has maintained since his international days. He says that fitness is a massive part of his life and he goes to the gym regularly as well as participating in a variety of sports. “I still play quite a bit of hockey in club tournaments in Canada and in the U.S. I am actually on my way to Vancouver to play in the Kings tournament right now. I also play ball hockey and love to golf. I also dabble in a bit of tennis and football.”
At this year’s Pan Am Games, Ken will be keeping an eye on how the field hockey team is doing, but he is also looking forward to watching beach volleyball and some athletics. “It wasn’t something we could do so much when we were playing, so it will be good to see some other sports.”
“In terms of our teams, the boys had a great result at the recent Hockey World League Semi-Finals. It seems like a good mix of youth and experience. I am sure they will do well. There is always a battle at the Pan Ams, and a lot of the other teams have picked up their game, so it will be interesting, but I bank on Canada doing well. I would love to be playing. 348 games and I only got to play in Toronto three times!”
