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Message: [QUOTE="Super Freak, post: 2753855, member: 8536"] THERE was a time when Josh McGuire was not going to be a footballer. He may be a State of Origin forward today, but back then ice hockey was shaping as his future. Young McGuire could often be found on roller hockey rinks in Lismore, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, indulging in his favourite sport. His passion grew until he considered making it his profession after he was scouted by former hockey player Ralph Barahona to potentially trial for the Vancouver Canucks at the age of 14. For family reasons, he decided to switch to rugby league, but he admits there was a time when hockey was all he cared about. “Playing hockey, that’s all I lived for,” he said. “I was lucky enough to play for Queensland and Australia. “I got to travel a fair bit and play all over the place. It was a tremendous opportunity. “It was mainly roller hockey and then I started transitioning more to ice as I got a bit older. “Then it was just too hard trying to play all sports and league was more efficient and cost effective for the family. “It was a family decision to go over to rugby league and I don’t regret it one bit.’’ McGuire’s only connection to hockey now is watching it the NHL. He will be given a chance to catch USA and Canada in action next month, when the two great rivals meet in the Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. It’s the kind of showdown the Maroons forward compares to State of Origin because they go “above and beyond” when they play each other. It is the kind of clash that makes him want to go out and play a bit of hockey once again. “I had thoughts about coming back and having a skate and a slap around,’’ he said. “I don’t think Wayne (Bennett) would let me. I would probably get in a bit of trouble. “It’s hard enough trying to ride a motorbike let alone come play roller hockey.” The Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic will come to Brisbane on July 2 and raises money for the StopConcussions Foundation. [url]http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/maroons-forward-josh-mcguire-considered-making-ice-hokey-his-profession/news-story/08ad71771023e101472edba8178629a9[/url] [/QUOTE]

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