The Cochrane Generals have some unfinished business coming into the new season, and while a lot of faces are staying the same there are definitely some changes for provincial silver medallists.
Gone from the Heritage Hockey League are 54-goal-scorer Connor Rendell, goaltender Ty Robinson, playmaking forward Corey Goeson, and captain Logan Brown, as well as former head coach Dan Gendur, who left for a job with the CFR Chemicals AAA Bisons.
Insert new head coach and general manager Derek Donald, who is joining the Generals after three years developing and directing youth and adult hockey programs as the hockey manager for the San Jose Sharks’ Sharks Ice Oakland Centre, while also coaching the San Jose Sharks AAA Midget program. Donald will be the Generals third coach in three seasons after the departures of not only Gendur, but also Evan McFeeters who is now an assistant coach for the Canmore Eagles. Communication between players and coaching staff is something Donald has preached.
“One thing that I hear in meeting with the players is that they want good communication, they want to know what the expectations are as a team and as individuals, so it gives me a sense of direction what this team is looking for.” Donald said. “We’ve got some good veteran guys and again I want my players to play at a consistent level, but a high consistent level, and I think they’re looking for that consistency coming back from the coaches.”
Cochrane has been the model of consistency in the HJHL the past few seasons, qualifying for the league final twice and bringing home sliver in provincials. Donald wants to build off of that success and make sure they exorcise their prior demons.
“You know, obviously our goal is to win a championship and we feel we have the returning players and some new players coming in to do that.” Donald said. “So our focus from day one is going to be focused on working as hard as we can, making sure all our guys are on the same page. I’ve already met with all the returning players and one thing that really rings true, and is great to hear from this group is that they’re a very tight, very close group. So we’ve got a good team concept going and my direction with this team is to add to the tool box that we have to get us to the next level of excellence which is to win a championship.”
The Generals will have a strong group of veteran players this season, with 92-point-getter Slater Ransom, 30-goal-scorer Talus Hume and the all-time leader in games played Austin Keller all returning for their final kick at the can. It is assumed these players will take up three of the four 21-year-old positions, and will be leaned on to produce. Hume said he and the other leaders on the team are up to the challenge.
“This will be my fifth and final season as a General so I’d really like to take the team one step further.” Hume said. “We’ve gained a lot of experience over the past couple years and I’m hoping we continue to build off that. Looking back on how things ended last year, I can assure you there is no lack of motivation.”
Expectations are high this season for what should once again be a talented Generals squad, and they’re looking for nothing short of a championship.
