The Cochrane Generals finished their season in style, sporting shiny silver medals around their necks last weekend after becoming the first team to medal at provincials in franchise history.
“It was a pretty amazing run that we had,” said captain Logan Brown, who played his last game as a General in St. Paul Sunday afternoon at the Hockey Alberta provincial tournament.
“We enjoyed the season,” added forward Connor Rendell, who also aged out of the system after the weekend games. “It ended with two heartbreaks, but a lot of good memories were made.”
Despite a loss to the Red Deer Vipers in the Heritage Junior Hockey League finals, the Gens locked in a spot to compete at provincials and won their way to Sunday’s gold medal match against the Wainright Bisons for the Russ Barnes Trophy.
The Generals again fought a hard game, but lost in 5-4 overtime.
“There were definitely some tears and some sad moments,” said Rendell, adding he was able to balance the sadness with happiness when his supportive girlfriend Claire Popko surprised him in the stands.
After the game, Brown took a moment to share some final thoughts as captain with the players he’s been proud to call teammates for the last five years.
“I just told them that I was just very proud and I was very privileged to be able to go that far with everyone,” he said. “I was really appreciative of how hard everyone worked and the chances I got to have in my last year that I’ve never had.”
Although he is now officially retired from the ice, Brown said he’s given so much of his life to the sport – and he hopes the Gens have not seen the last of him yet.
“I definitely still want to be around … I really love it and I put so much work into that team,” he said, adding coaching is a possibility for him.
“I just want to still be a part of hockey no matter what.”
