Trips to the provincial Sports Hall of Fame helped speedskater Stephen Gough set lofty goals

When Fredericton's Stephen Gough was in junior high, he enjoyed taking walks during his lunch hours.

But instead of wandering aimlessly, he would dream about his future in speedskating. And when he needed inspiration, he strolled into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.

"When I was younger I went to George Street Junior High, and on more than one occasion, I went into the Sports Hall of Fame,'' Gough says. "It was better than hanging out at the mall. I would look at the displays of the names like (N.B. Hall of Fame speedskaters) Charles Gorman and Hugh McCormick.''

Former Olympic speed-skater Stephen Gough now coaches the Canadian Short Track Speedskating team in Montreal Thursday, May 14, 2009. Gough originally from Fredericton is being inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.

The 36-year-old lives in Montreal, where he coaches the national short track team. He works with 12 athletes, but there are only five spots available for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

"It's always a pleasure to give back and share your experiences,'' Gough says about coaching. "It also puts your own accomplishments in perspective. If you go back 15 years ago, I was in their shoes.''

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