Special dedications
Western Capitals dedicate playoffs to influential individuals in their lives
It’s an exercise that brings young men to tears.
Such is the case every spring inside the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals’ dressing room. Players and staff dedicate the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) playoffs to an influential individual, or individuals, in their lives and careers.
“You are in this dressing room with basically 21 men and there are tears flying everywhere,” said Capitals forward Hunter McIntyre of Kilmuir. “It’s really emotional just to see how much everyone cares about who they are dedicating it to.
“Some of the stories you listen to, you can’t help but tear up.” It’s something Caps head coach Billy McGuigan has had his teams do throughout his career coaching junior hockey.
“People sacrifice so much for us being here,” said McGuigan. “We try to have a picture of each person’s dedication, and speak on why you are doing it for them. . .
“It’s emotional to talk about your family and the sacrifices they had to make, and all their work. . . A lot of emotions come out.”
McGuigan goes first to break the ice, and this year his dedication is to his family – wife Tammy and children Emmalee, 9; Brooke, 8, and Clarke, 4. “The big reason is because
of the sacrifice they give me in the winter time,” said McGuigan. “I miss a lot of their events. My wife is the rock who keeps the house running, and allows me to coach a junior A hockey club.”
It’s a process the players take very seriously, says forward
Morgan MacDonald of Little Pond.
“Everyone has people that they care about and love, the same as we have our teammates that we care about,” said MacDonald.
Rookie defenceman Jacob Levesque of Dieppe, N.B., was impressed with the passion shown by the 20-year-olds. “Maybe that’s because some have done it before, but it’s also their last junior season,” said Levesque, 17. “You could tell from the start, ‘Wow, this is going to be something.’
“Their words were really inspirational.”
One of those graduating players is forward Brock Richard of Sherwood-Parkdale.
“I know myself I was pretty emotional by times because your team is your family, and you don’t have to be scared to be emotional,” said Richard. “It’s very powerful, very touching and you want to dedicate it to people who mean a lot to you.”
Richard’s dedication acknowledges his parents, Murray and Lori Richard. He not only praised them for support throughout his hockey career, but remembered back to when he battled a kidney disease from ages two to four.
“My mom and dad were always coming over back and forth to the IWK with me,” explained Richard. “They sacrificed a lot for me back then. “My dad would come over on the weekends as he would be lobster fishing during the week, and my mom would be there nonstop. They did a lot for me as a kid, and they still do now!”