The Calgary Canucks’ Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) playoff run was supposed to be Cochranite and team captain Chandler Irvin’s swansong.
Unfortunately, the party was shut down before it could even begin.
Canucks were swept 3-0 by Okotoks Oilers (6-2, 4-2, 4-1) in the first-round of the playoffs leaving Irvin reeling after his final season of AJHL hockey.
“We beat (Okotoks) the last three times we played them in the regular-season,” Irvin said. “I think that made part of our team take them for granted. When you get to the playoffs, it’s a whole different picture.
“You have to elevate your game. They did, we didn’t.”
The disappointing sweep came off the back of a season, where Canucks finished in sixth-place (24-33-3) in the Viterra AJHL South Division.
Irvin finished with his best tally in an AJHL season, picking up 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 60 games played, along with racking up 99 penalty minutes (PIM). In post-season action against the Oilers, he racked up one goal in three games, with four PIM.
For most teams, after a less than impressive season, making the playoffs would be a huge achievement, but the fact Canucks did it with 16 rookies adds an extra wow factor.
However, Irvin believes that lack of experience played a part in his team’s playoff exit.
“Special teams usually come into play during the post-season, and we weren’t disciplined or experienced enough” he said. “They capitalized on their chances, which was all the difference.”
As disappointing as it was for Irvin to go out in the first round during his final season, he doesn’t feel bitter, and believes his role as a captain gave him a whole different perspective.
“We got into the playoffs for the first time in four years,” he said. “My job was to lead the younger guys and give them a bit of experience, which I feel I did. There were only three of us on the team with any playoff experience, so all considering, I think we did alright.”
Nonetheless, Irvin believes that this Canucks team can only get better with age like fine wine, and feels the organization is heading in the right direction for future seasons.
“Going into next season, the team will be better than this year,” he said. “I don’t know if the current coaches are hanging around or not, but to have as many rookies as we did, and to do as well as we did, shows it can only get better.
“The sky’s the limit.”
As to his own situation, Irvin is still conflicted as to whether he will hang up his skates.
“I’ve applied for a couple of programs at Mount Royal and the University of Calgary,” he revealed. “I’m thinking I’ll probably end up at Mount Royal for criminal justice.
“In terms of hockey, I’ve yet to contact any coach, but it’s still a possibility. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
