Having closed the latest chapter in his hockey story, Coda Gordon is eager to begin the next.
With the stick as his pen, he’s painted icy-white pages with black rubber across Western Canada. While the region in which the Cochranite’s story is set remains the same, the content becomes more intense. Following a four-year Western Hockey League career with the Swift Current Broncos, Gordon has joined the University of Calgary Dinos men’s hockey program.
“Bigger, stronger, faster guys. The practices are a lot more intense,” Gordon says outside the dressing room following Sept. 3 Dinos practice at the Olympic Oval on U of C’s campus. “Higher tempo. I have to adjust to the level of play.”
In a 257-game WHL career began fall 2011, the now-21-year-old scored 98 goals and added 136 assists in Swift Current. Dinos men’s hockey head coach Mark Howell expects Gordon to bring that offensive acumen to the ice at U of C.
“He’s a great addition to our team. He’ll play in all situations,” coach Howell explains. “I expect him to be in our top-6 where he’ll get significant minutes. He’s very skilled offensively and is a very productive forward, as his WHL numbers indicate.”
Toiling, and producing, in the WHL will aid his transition at U of C. His major-junior experience will serve him well in Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) play.
“His experience at that level (WHL) can only help. It’s a big part of why he’s here,” Howell explains. “The skill, leadership and intensity he brings after playing there (in Swift Current) works well.”
While he’s adjusting to CWUAA competition, Gordon appears to have found a good room. The post-practice laughter and joking coming from the Dinos dressing room indicate a good-natured, competitive group.
“It’s going well,” Gordon says. “It’s a good group of guys here all working hard to get us heading in the right direction to start the season. The level of competition in Canada West is high, and we know this. We’re preparing for an intense hockey season.”
And, while he’ll be counted on to light the lamp, he’s also working hard at the other end of the ice.
“There’s more emphasis on defence,” Gordon relates. “We’re working on that at practice. We have to be sharp at both ends of the ice.”
With a new sweater, and a new level of hockey in front of him, it’s time for the Cochrane Minor Hockey product to get to work writing that new chapter in his hockey story.
“I just want to contribute to the team’s success. It’s great being here and I can hardly wait to get the season going. This is a good team with great depth, skill and coaching. We want to be ready.”
Dinos open the CWUAA regular season Sept. 11 at cross-town rival Mount Royal Cougars, 7 p.m. puck drop, at Calgary’s Max Bell Arena.
