By Emanuel Sequeira

This week’s KIJHL Notebook recognizes the unsung hero on teams.

According to grammarist.com, that term first appeared in the mid-1800s, though it has its roots in ancient Greece. They say an unsung hero is a person who has achieved great things or committed acts of bravery or self-sacrifice, yet is not celebrated or recognized.

The Urban Dictionary says an unsung hero is a person who commits an extraordinary act but does not receive recognition or proper respect. It’s time to give both to these players.

Eddie Mountain Division

Kimberley Dynamiters

Jayden Kostiuk of the Kimberley Dynamiters has been really good for the team the past few months.

“He is reliable in all situations. He is routinely one of our hardest working players in practice and games,” said head coach Derek Stuart, adding that he is getting rewarded statistically as well with seven of his 10 points coming in their last seven games. “We have been very impressed with his understanding of our team systems and his ability to execute them properly all the time.”

Columbia Valley Rockies

Columbia Valley Rockies head coach Briar McNaney said his club doesn’t have a true stand alone for this category.

“Each individual on the roster has executed their roles extremely well and has contributed in many ways to the success we’ve had this season,” he said. “To name one would not be fair to the others because I could name the entire team as an unsung hero and it would be a legitimate selection.”

Fernie Ghostriders

Jock Michael of the Fernie Ghostriders leads by example every day while being quiet.

“The guys respect him for the way he plays on the ice,” said head coach and general manager Ty Valin. “He plays an honest game. He blocks shots, wins faceoffs, and he doesn’t care what we ask for him to do, he will go out there and do it. That is something that is huge on the team. Everything that he does – the way he practices, plays, is wearing off our dressing room – it’s contagious.”

Creston Valley Thunder Cats

Creston Valley Thunder Cats captain Corbin Cockerill is consistently the hardest worker on and off the ice, but doesn’t flaunt it.

Head coach and general manager Bill Rotheisler said he is selfless and hardworking.

“He made many sacrifices to play his 20-year-old year with us, and is the first to “sweep the sheds,” he said, adding that while missing last season as he was unable to join the team because of the closed border, he continued to train to be ready.

Rotheisler said Cockerill is a true leader who takes care of everyone before himself and even stayed by himself in Creston over the holidays out of concern over the cumbersome process of getting back to Canada.

“Corbin took over the captaincy during the toughest time I have seen a captain take over a group, with depleted support as he only had Camsy (Campbell McLean) there for leadership assistance at the time,” said Rotheisler. “He took over on the heels of trading a popular, local captain with not even an announcement; just pressure, a thank you to the previous captain, and unfair expectations. Despite that he has done a tremendously successful and perfect job at not only healing a fragmented room, but making it stronger.”

Golden Rockets

Brydon Foster of the Golden Rockets wasn’t brought in to lead the team offensively, but is their leading goal scorer, while currently being injured.

“He is known more for his defensive play,” said head coach and general manager Chuck Wight. “He has also shown that he has a good scoring touch in tight at the net and has good leadership skills we like.”

Read about the unsung heroes elsewhere in the KIJHL.

KIJHL Schedule

KIJHL Standings

Lead image from KIJHL/ Tami Quan photo

– Emanuel Sequeira is KIJHL Director of Communications

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