Pucks to Chucks: D.J. King looks to make his mark at the Calgary Stampede
He had a strong showing at the Ponoka Stampede the week before arriving in Calgary, even winning his heat on June 28. King compared getting the chance to compete at the Calgary Stampede to playing for the Stanley Cup.
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'This is the event everyone wants to check off the list — to compete at the Calgary Stampede. And obviously, to do really well there is the next thing,' said King.
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'You set goals, and this is at the top of the table right now. So we just want to come in there, get through the nerves, keep rolling and run safe and clean.'
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Nerves are something King has dealt with throughout his sporting career — whether it was before an NHL game or before getting behind the reins of his chuckwagon. He admits it wouldn't feel like a real event without a case of nerves — and a certain physical reaction.
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'That word gets around everywhere,' he said, chuckling. 'I did it in hockey and I do it in wagons. It's just part of my routine, I guess you'd say.'
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King and his crew have brought 18 horses to the Stampede and have high hopes for how the week will go.
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'You set goals, and this is at the top of the table right now. So we just want to come in there, get through the nerves, keep rolling and run safe and clean,' he said.
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The chuckwagon driver had a good showing on Day 4 of the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,' winning Heat 3 with a time of 1:13.70. He finished 15th overall on the day.
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'I'm just one guy, part of a big team here, and we're all excited to come in and experience the Calgary Stampede. So, it's exciting for the whole crew.'
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As for who horses around more — NHL players in the locker room or King's chuckwagon horses — it's a close call.
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'Boy, that's a close one. And that's the cool thing about this — all these horses have so much personality,' laughed King. 'But probably at the end of the day, the humans horse around a little bit more.
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'Watching these horses, everyone's got their own little attitude and quirks. People would be surprised how much these horses have some attitude, too.'
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Calgary Herald
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- Calgary Herald
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