An Interview with...
James Beale.
Born July 26 1976, 22 year old James is Hawks’ only American import this season. James was planning to play in the East Coast Hockey League or the Western Professional League but when the chance came to play in Britain he chose the better option! And the fact that he could claim dual-nationality with his mum being Irish also helped a little, "My Mom’s from Ireland so I have a passport, so I figured I might as well give it a shot".
Beale was a late bloomer when it comes to playing hockey, he was 14 when he first stepped onto the ice, "I started playing for the Xaverian High School team at 14 and then won a scholarship to the Wagner College." While at the College James also gained a degree in Business Management. The biggest influence on his career are his old high school coach, Brother Joe Mussa and of course, his family.
"If I wasn’t playing hockey I’d get a job with my Business Degree or join the police force." James has two older brothers, John and Billy who are both in the police force. After his hockey career is over James wants to open a bar or restaurant, but until the day comes to hang up his skates James told me he’d like to stay in England a little while longer.
I then asked James whom he most admired in hockey. "Mark Massier," was offered as a name without hesitation, "and Andrew Dickson, he’s the best I’ve ever played with," – which also answered my next question!
As for playing against, "Steve Nemeth, or Kelly Reid who plays for Kingston," were offered as possibilities. And the player he’d most like to beat-up in a game, "I’m a lover not a fighter!" was all he was prepared to say!
In his spare time James likes to watch wrestling, Stone Cold Steve Austin being his favourite. He is also a big fan of the New York Jets football team (that’s football not soccer!).
5 words to describe himself, "Funny, hard-working, honest, confident and well mannered."
Bealer, or Beasel as he’s also known say’s his ideal night out would be "Dinner and then onto a club with my girlfriend Annette and the guys and their wives and girlfriends’".
On British hockey James commented, "The ice is wider, so there’s not as much hitting. But it’s a good standard over here." And on Blackburn in particular, "The fans are very enthusiastic. The Arena is beautiful but could be warmer!" On the town he commented, "I like Blackburn, It’s much smaller than New York, that’s a good thing when you come from somewhere so big."
He also had a message to all the fans. "Thanks for all your support. Were giving 100% every night so keep coming and hopefully we’ll put some silverware away."
"I’d like to say hi to my two nephews, Jack and Michael, to Mom and Dad and Billy, John Susan and Kera, and last but not least Annette."
For Christmas he wants a pay rise - I hope John Neville is reading this!
And finally, somebody asked what his views were on the Bill Clinton / Monica Lewinski situation, "It’s non of my business. It’s between him and his wife. As long as the country isn’t burning down, Bill’s doing his job." - And that’s as political as this Website gets!
Thanks to James for giving up valuable drinking time to talk to me and thanks to Chad and Jamie Thomson for letting him!
James Beale was talking to Tony Preece.