New Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins is a bit of a health nut, and he firmly believes in inspiring people to live a healthier more active lifestyle.
When he was first hired by the Oilers, in fact, he warned the Edmonton media that he'd be taking away their sugary breakfast pastries in short order:
"Everybody enjoy those doughnuts because that's the first change that's going to go in here!"--Dallas Eakins #oilers #nhl #yeg
— John MacKinnon (@rjmackinnon) June 10, 2013
On Wednesday as the media assembled, Dallas Eakins made good on that promise:
Mandated by the head coach.. Media food is veggies and fruit. Usually donuts and coffee. pic.twitter.com/fcMphV5uDO
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) September 11, 2013
I'd like to tell you that the Edmonton media accepted the free plates of fruit and vegetables on offer with grace, but, that just wouldn't be true.
I don't care what kind of shape an NHL coach is in. Ken Hitchcock never ran a triathlon in his life and his teams do OK
— Rob Tychkowski (@Sun_Tychkowski) September 11, 2013
People are kind of walking awkwardly around the table, peering at the veggies, unopened.. I think a full scale media revolt may be coming.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) September 11, 2013
If Edmonton hockey media hold off on the mutiny and instead hear the Eakins siren call with open hearts, then at the opening of Oilers training camp next fall we might hear media members - rather than players - bragging about being in the "best shape of their lives."