Squaring Off With Mike V

David M Singer
Jan 22, 2004

Think you can handle squaring off with an NHL enforcer? Some claim they can, but few have the chance to find out. Skateboard legend Mike Vallely did after approaching Kip Brennan and asking for his shot.

Mike Vallely is known for many things, mostly skateboarding and just being a general badass. Besides skating and sticking up for his fellow skaters, you can find him writing some poetry, being the lead singer of his hardcore punk "Mike V. and the Rats", starring in ESPN's Tony Hawk's Gigantic Skatepark Tour, or even Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video series.

Mike V's been able to handle himself for a while, but an avid hockey fan, he's always wondered if he could take a tough guy on skates. Last season Mike V approached Brennan and asked him to have a go. Meet up at center ice, squareoff, and see what comes of it. They had the understanding that Mike V wasn't really going to go for a real punch. It was midseason, and why threaten Brennan's career for something fun, even if it the only way it would be threatened would be a lucky punch from Mike V? Plus, why make Kip Brennan mad if you don't have to? The latter is reason enough for most right there.

Armed with Ken Belanger as a coach they took to the ice. A short squareoff and they grab on. Some shoving, no punches thrown, and Brennan's just ragdolling Mike V around until he finally brings him down to the ice.

The second time around Mike V gives Kip the green light to swing. They squareoff again, and this time Mike V ties him up (as per instructions of Belanger). Mike V then goes to throw a light punch, not really trying to hit Brennan, but let him know he’s there and possibly can. Three quick Brennan punches later and Mike V's on the ice tapping out, UFC-style. With a red, but happy face, Mike V gets up and skates off knowing how much worse it must be for some of Kip's opponent's when he's done his job for real.

David: If someone said "What do you do?" expecting a response like "I'm a bus driver or lawyer", what do you say to them?

Mike V: I tell them I skateboard. They'll then ask "Professionally?” I say "Yes" then they ask, "Like in the X-Games?" I then say, "Well, not really" and that's when I lose them. I think the popularity the sport has seen over the past 10 years with the X-Games and Tony Hawk becoming a household name has been good in many ways, but generally I still don't think many people truly understand skateboarding for what it really is... a form of self expression, an art form, a creative pursuit. I've never really viewed myself as an athlete and although I've competed many times through the years I don't really value competition. I think skateboarding is much broader than that and I think my 18-year career thus far is proof that it is.

David: How'd you get to be "you"? In other words, what made you take on your role within your community and peers?

Mike V: I never really thought about "taking on a role." Things happen and I react accordingly. Growing up skateboarding in the eighties was tough. Having a skateboard, a shaved head and a pink t-shirt and green pants in 1984 meant some jocks were going to kick your ass. When I started skating I was beat up, put down, pissed on, discriminated against, harassed at school by jocks and by the police. I went from being a faceless nobody to a major target for hate and aggression. Me and my friends got beat up on a daily basis and it didn't feel good. One day I decided I wasn't going to just take it anymore and I started fighting back. I learned if you're willing to stick up for yourself less people will mess with you and even when they do you'll at least be able to look yourself in the mirror afterwards no matter what happens. As a skateboarder, it's been a war since day one. I don't take shit from people, I don't let anyone push me around or my friends around. It's pretty simple stuff.

David: Where'd the love of hockey come from?

Mike V: It was always there. I grew up watching the Rangers with my dad. Nick Fotiu was my favorite player back then. We use to play street hockey in an abandoned tennis court all through elementary and middle school until I started skateboarding. I didn't get on the ice until I was 19 or 20 but I've followed and played hockey pretty much my entire life.

David: How long have you been a fan? Kings fan now?

Mike V: I was born a Rangers fan growing up in New Jersey. I didn't convert to the Devils when they came to town, no one did really. I moved to California when I was eighteen and started following the Kings. Gretzky had just come to town and they had a lot of old Rangers on the team then. I had season seats for several years, those were good times.

David: Do you play yourself?

Mike V: I've been playing on and off since I was 19 or so, ice, street, roller and even skateboard hockey. I just love to play. Of course I prefer ice and I'm playing in a men's league here in Los Angeles this year, but I'm pretty busy and I can't make all the games. I wish I had time to play more. Someday.

David: You're a fan of the fights. Who have been some of your favorites?

Mike V: All-time favorite is Bob Probert, the guy just had a presence about him. I really liked Marty McSorley, he was an emotional fighter and always willingly stood up for his teammates, he fought with purpose.

David: How'd you get hooked up with Kip Brennan?

Mike V: I met him after a Kings game. I was downstairs and started a conversation with him and one thing led to another.

David: How'd that go?

Mike V: I think it went well for what it was. In some ways I regret not just fighting him straight up, meaning trying to mount some offense of my own. This may sound silly on certain levels but I was actually concerned about him getting hurt as it was mid-season and he was up from Manchester and I didn't want to do anything that may negatively effect his career. By no means do I think I could have whipped him, but at the same time I'm certain I could have exchanged punches with him and one never knows what may happen. So, it was in some ways a one-sided fight by design. I told him he could hit me, but that I wouldn't hit him. For me it was more so about the experience of standing in there and finding out if I could take the beating. In retrospect I wish I just went for it for better or worse.

David: What was the size difference?

Mike V: He's 6'4, 230 or so. I'm 5'10, 185.

David: How was that punching power?

Mike V: Well, I don't think he hit me as hard as he could, but he definitely tagged me good. Good enough to split my lip and give me a black eye and a splitting headache. I got a pretty good idea of what he's capable of doing to someone's face and it's scary.

David: Would you do it again?

Mike V: I would for sure, I don't know about with Kip, maybe with someone closer to my size. But I bet Kip would be willing to do it again and we've joked about it a few times. You never know, I may go into training and try to redeem myself a little. I have no allusions about whipping him, but I'd at least like to keep my balance a bit better and throw one real intentioned punch at least.

David: What are you up to next?

Mike V: I'm heading out to the NHL All-Star game to play a game of skateboard hockey at the Fantasy Event in St. Paul for the NHL. After that I'm in Australia for a skateboard contest but for most of 2004 I'll be filming for a TV show I'm doing for the Rush channel on the VOOM High Definition Satellite Network called DRIVE TV.

Tons of thanks to Mike Vallely for taking the time to talk. Visit his website, www.mikevallely.com. If you want to check out this footage, it's all on Mike V's Greatest Hits.

Oh, and if you have Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4: To unlock Mike Vallely simply save up $9,000.00 and buy him in the Spend Cash section. Mike has two special airs and one special grind.

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