The season may be over for the Huntsville Junior C Otters, but they can hold their heads high.
The team went through a number of ups and downs this year, but always came off the ice thanking their fans for their support and collectively as a team. It was no different after they played the Alliston Hornets in the first round of playoffs, and ended the series graciously.
Coach Brent Tomlinson thanks all of the players on the team that stuck it out until the very end of their last game of the year. “They not only endured a mentally tough season, but also handled themselves with the utmost of class until the final buzzer,” he said
Looking back to the start of the season, Tomlinson says the team started on a high. “We felt we had built a team with the pieces needed to compete at the top of our division,” he said.
Co-coach Marc Gagnon also felt the team started off really strong with a promising outlook for the season. But then unforeseen incidents and injuries took place. “After a 4-1 start, we lost Kyle Campbell #9 to a shoulder injury until January and not long after that we lost our captain Nathan Delarosbil #19 with a lower leg injury for the remainder of the regular season.”
“Both players were big pieces and proved difficult to replace,” added Tomlinson.
It was then that the team displayed their commitment to one another, the game and to their coaches. Tomlinson commended the players. “We had a lot of players step up and do their best to overcome these obstacles, often playing outside of their natural positions. Anyone who watched our last 10 or so games would recognize we had a lot of forwards play defense at the conclusion of the season. I tip my hat to those players as I think it speaks volumes as to the culture of the team.”
Overall, it was a tough season for the Junior C Otters but Tomlinson and Gagnon can point out many positives from the season.
The goaltending was ‘top notch’ all season with both Tyler Miller #31 and Ty Sparling #30 playing exceptionally well. The team finished their regular season on a high with significant wins under their skates leaving the team feeling accomplished.
After losing Delarosbil, the team captain, to a long-term injury, the leadership of Tyler Rolfe was exceptional and certainly helped get the players through some of the low points of the season. The consistent effort and dedication by Cole Gilligan, one of the team’s overage players, should also be noted, added Gagnon.
Lastly, the return of Nathan Delarosobil to skate in the playoffs was a demonstration to his dedication and love for the game.
Even though the season ended too early, the coaches and players are already thinking ahead to next year’s season. But as the season comes to an end, some of the players’ junior hockey careers ended at the final buzzer.
Nathan Delarosobil #19, Cole Gilligan #8 and Tyler Rolfe-Gervais #17 have aged out of the league. “Delly [Delarosbil] served as our captain and during his time with the Otters he accomplished many things such as most points by an Otter in a season. Tyler Rolfe-Gervais, who I have known since the Voodoos days, will be greatly missed for his leadership. Cole Gilligan, who came over from the Timmins Rock, was our leading point-getter this season. All three were important parts to our team and we wish them the best,” said Gagnon. “I am very excited for next season as we have integral pieces coming back but will also have many openings (and) looking forward to getting to work for possible future players.”
As always, the Junior C Otters team would like to thank their fans and their hometown community for their support. “We have some of the best and most dedicated fans in the league and I want to thank them all for sticking with us,” said Tomlinson.
Gagnon recognized and added thanks to those who make the season possible and doable. “Thank you to our executive staff, our trainers, scouting staff, our statistics man Barry Parish. Also, thank you to our school liaison for the team, Terry Boston, and thank you to our photographer, Kelly Tomlinson and videographer Cheyenne Wood.”
See everyone next year for the 2019-20 Otters season!
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