EDMONTON – Luckily, the barkeep at Kalipaki Joe’s was only too happy to oblige.

“We were in Hawaii on holiday,” reports Rob Cote. “And I had to find someplace to watch the West final last Sunday. So I went by myself.

“I’d gone the night before to make sure we could get it on ESPN.”

Today’s viewing location for the 106th Grey Cup is far more of a sure thing.

At home in Calgary, in the front of the TV, with his brother, wife Natalie and the kids.

Parents Kristy and Cam, diehard Red-and-White backers long before their son became a fixture in the backfield and among the most popular players locally of an era, are making the three-hour trek north to attend the big game.

The long-serving Stampeders fullback, the hometown kid from Cochrane who made good, announced his CFL retirement Jan. 23 after 10 years opening paths for Joffrey Reynolds, Jon Cornish and Jerome Messam, collecting two rings along the way.

With the Stamps now in position to dig their bicuspids into the big enchilada, any lingering regrets or piercing heartstring tugs?

“Now you ask me that question,” he says, teasingly. “I’ll say this – I have a world of confidence in ability of the boys to finish the job. And that creates a little bit of … what’s the word?

“Conflict, I guess.

“I feel as if I’m missing out a little bit. I won’t lie. But I am super, super happy for all those guys.”

Now happily working as director of memberships at the Calgary Construction Association, his faith in the Stamps remains unwavering.

“I have a ton of faith in Bo to step and do what he always does,” he says. “The defence is playing incredible. I think Alex Singleton might just be one of my favourite all-time Stampeders.

“It’s not only how good he is but the way he plays, with that fire, that emotion, that enthusiasm.

“As a teammate that’s what you want everyone to play with.

“The veterans on that defence … Brandon Smith, Jamar Wall, are playing great, and obviously the front four, with Micah leading the way.”

Sunday, around 7 o’clock, could prove to be a somewhat bittersweet time at Chateau Cote.

“There’ll be a little bit of jealousy, for sure,’’ he admits. “I’m a human being and they’re back on the doorstep of something incredible. The mountaintop of football. You’ll always want to feel that again.

“Having said it, I couldn’t be happier with where I am in my life right now.

“I made my choice and my body, my family, my mind couldn’t have sustained another year.

“I’ll always be a Calgary Stampeder fan. I’ve undergone a lot of change this year. In my job. My life. And I’m good with it.

“I just want them to seal the deal.

“It’ll always be: Go Stamps!”

That’ll never change.