by Glen Gibbs Peak Sports Canada West beat Canada East 4-2 in the World Junior A Hockey Challenge gold medal final on Sunday afternoon and three Powell River Kings figured prominently in the outcome.
Canada West was coached by Kent Lewis, Kings coach and general manager, the first goal of the game was scored by 17-year-old Evan Richardson and Canada East snipers were frustrated by the solid goaltending efforts of Powell River native Sean Maguire.
Canada West’s roster was made up of 14 players from BC Hockey League (BCHL), seven from Alberta Junior Hockey League and one from Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
The selection process to get the roster down to 22 players for the tournament was a tough one for Lewis and his assistants Dean Brockman (Humboldt Broncos) and Andrew Milne (Canmore Eagles) but after two camps over three months they obviously got it right.
“Like any Canadian team you get ‘why didn’t you pick this guy or that guy,’” Lewis said, “but at the end of the day we had 22 good kids and we got our job done, which is all that matters.”
Canada West got off to a slow start in the tournament when they lost their two pool games, 2-0 to Sweden and 6-1 to the USA.
They started to gel, however, in the quarter-final game which they won 4-1 over Czech Republic and really shone with an exciting 2-1 overtime win over previously undefeated Sweden.
Canada East, in the meantime, made it an all-Canada final with their 4-2 win over last year’s gold medallist USA and that’s when the excitement really started to build.
“There were definitely nerves,” said Maguire who got the start in net for the gold medal game, “but there was also a sense of calmness just by knowing exactly what I had to do and getting the job done.”
He stopped 22 of 24 shots in the game and by virtue of his stellar play throughout the tournament earned his selection to the all-star team.
“There were some really high profile kids there,” he said, such as Sweden’s Oscar Dansk who is touted to be a top NHL (National Hockey League) draft pick in 2012, “and being ranked with them is pretty special.”
Hockey is a team sport and Maguire was quick to acknowledge his teammates. “I’ve never played with a better group of guys—guys who want to work and wanted it so bad. It was a great experience.”
The big game was televised Sunday on TSN but there were supporters who just had to be there in person.
In addition to family, Kings’ staff became nervous fans when Chad van Diemen, Geoff Grimwood, Pat Hurren and Brendon Kerr took a ride to Langley Sunday morning.
“It was definitely worth the trip,” said van Diemen. “The game itself, you could definitely see a lot of our systems and the guys bought in. It was a good Powell River Kings-style game.”
Of his boss van Diemen said, “to see the look on Kent’s face afterwards was a pretty neat moment.”
Lewis’s selection was made back in July when John Grisdale, BCHL’s commissioner, was quick to sing his praises.
“The decision for the coaching position was made by Hockey Canada,” said Grisdale, “but I put forward his name when Mark Ferner moved to Everett [Western Hockey League] and I was strongly supportive of him applying for that position.
“Kent did an outstanding job, along with his coaching staff, in preparing the team as the event went on,” he said, “and his history of success is right up there with all the best coaches that have been involved. I was extremely pleased for Kent Lewis and the success was well deserved.”
Maguire shared his sentiments and added, “I wouldn’t want to be on anyone else’s team going into this tournament. It’s an honour playing for him and he’s the best coach I’ve ever had.”
It has been a long five months for Lewis and when asked a day after the tournament how he felt he just said, “tired. I wished I had done it 20 years ago but I guess you’re never too old.”
Never too old to get excited about Canada’s game and the high expectations, but Lewis remarked, “Hockey Canada is pretty special with how you’re treated and it’s such a positive pressure working for your country. When things weren’t going well, where we had some challenges,” he said of the early going, “it was ‘hey just do your best’ and that was great.”
The event was held at the state-of-the-art, 5,500-seat Langley Event Centre where Lewis said, “our hosts, the event centre and the whole production of Hockey Canada was top notch.
“It’s a unique event,” different from other competitions he said. “Because of the colours you feel it a little more. I know it sounds corny but you’re representing your country and it’s probably one of the more special things I’ve been involved with. I’m lucky to have all that I have.”
The opportunity was offered by Hockey Canada but made possible by his network of support in Powell River.
In addition to the Kings’ staff and his co-workers with the City of Powell River, he extended gratitude to, “most importantly my family.” Of the achievement, “This is shared with a lot of people.”
It has been quite a ride for Lewis but he’s ready to return to the Kings, his job and his family in Powell River.
“I’m glad I did it because I’m not getting any younger,” he said with a sigh, “but I’m sure looking forward to getting home too.”
